Help me help Dealer/CE light, misfire cylinders.

jhb · #1 01-17-2009, 04:27 PM

Hello all, I have had my car in for 3 attempts at solving this problem.

The basics, 2004 4.8, currently has 80K miles, CPO. Purchased in 2006 with 49900 miles on the clock.

Two winters ago, I noticed when cold the engine would throb when 1st started. The symptom does not occur every cold morning, but about 1/2 of them. It is most noticeable if I start the car and put it in drive promptly. Then the whole car will "bounce" against the engine. It feels like a cylinder is not firing. This is accompanied by a flashing CE light. Most of the time the throbbing clears after 30 seconds or I give it some gas and the CE light goes out as well. A few times the CE light stays lit (solid on) but eventually will go out in few days.

The 1st time I took it in, they replaced the spark plugs. They found misfire faults. They said the plugs were "BERT" in the bill. Think that was a typo.

Last winter, same thing. I took it in and they replaced the valvetronic intermediate levers..

This winter, same thing. But no faults and it did not repeat for them. They did nothing. Recently, the throbbing occured again, and this time the CE light stayed on (after flashing during the symptom).

Last night it was about 4 degrees out. I started the car and the problem repeated. However, it did not clear up as it has in the past. I was not home and had to get home so I had to drive it about 20 miles, The engine would not give me full power, the CE light would flash then go solid, then flash again. It definilty sounded like a cylinder or 2 was not firing. I could hear "Popping" from the tail pipe like a dead cylinder. (Not a backfire).

I called the dealer and am taking it in Tuesday, but this morning the car ran fine. Started up and had no problems. It was about 10 Degrees out. CE light is ON.

Does anyone have any ideas why a cylinder would not fire? This needs to be fixed once and for all, as the CPO warranty ends next winter. This could get pricey if not under warrranty. Maybe they messed up the last intermidiate lever install?

GmX5 · #2 01-18-2009, 03:06 AM

Sounds like you need to start to get aggressive with your service dept. (not too aggressive, but assertive). Tell them you want a master tech to check and diagnose the car and that you are tired of the re-occuring problems and would like to get to the bottom of it! I wish I had a more conclusive idea of what is wrong with your car..but a good BMW tech shouldnt have a huge problem getting to the bottom of your issue(s).

cam1999 · #3 01-21-2009, 09:51 AM

I have a similar problem, not as severe though, it's been really cold. I have a misfire on cylinder 7, so I changed out the Ignition coil and still persists. I haven't looked at the plug which I'll do real soon.

I was wondering if the diagnosis and remedy is still covered under warranty or is this considered a maintenance item? (I'm sure the dealer would want to change all the plugs and maybe the ignition coils)

Was the Valvetronic levers covered under warranty?

jhb · #4 01-21-2009, 11:32 AM

The dealer told me the car was "requesting" a software reinstall. He did it last night and kept the car to test this morning. I am not hopeful. This is more than software I fear.

The plugs are not covered under CPO. They may be covered for new car warranty. The levers was covered under the CPO. 50.00 copay.

cam1999 · #5 01-21-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhb

The 1st time I took it in, they replaced the spark plugs. They found misfire faults. They said the plugs were "BERT" in the bill. Think that was a typo.

BERT? any idea? Did they change the Coils?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhb

Last winter, same thing. I took it in and they replaced the valvetronic intermediate levers..

What are these?

Let me know if they fix your problem. TIA

jhb · #6 01-23-2009, 10:57 AM

Clarification, the DME was reprogramed. Many misfires reported as well. I was also told to let the car warm on cold mornings briefly.

Last night, I started the car and instead of idling at 800, the idle oscilated between 1200 and 1500. After watching it do this for 30 seconds, I restarted the car, no problem after that. On the plus side, no CE light, either. No problem this morning.

jhb · #7 01-23-2009, 11:34 AM

As for intermediate levers, not exectly sure, I think it has something to do with the valve lifters. They had to tear down the engine and it took a couple of days. It was covered under CPO.

jhb · #8 01-26-2009, 12:51 AM

Well, that did not last long. This morning I started the car and it shook badly. The CE light flashed again. It went away and the CE light went out after a minute or 2.

I have been putting regular gas in the car for a while now. Never had a problem before, and wonder if it's related? Seems the car should run fine whatever I put in it. Anyway, just filled an almost empty tank with Super. I'll keep an eye on it through a tank or 2 and see what happens.

cam1999 · #9 01-26-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhb

Well, that did not last long. This morning I started the car and it shook badly. The CE light flashed again. It went away and the CE light went out after a minute or 2.

I have been putting regular gas in the car for a while now. Never had a problem before, and wonder if it's related? Seems the car should run fine whatever I put in it. Anyway, just filled an almost empty tank with Super. I'll keep an eye on it through a tank or 2 and see what happens.

Try adding some fuel treatment, SeaFoam or similar to the gas.

This is what I've done so far before taking it to the Dealer.
1. I've already replaced the sparkplugs.
2. I've replaced the Ignition Coil on Cylinder 7.
3. Changed Brands of Gas
4. Added fuel treament/dry gas to the fuel.

The above did not help resolve the Misfiring on Cyclinder 7, however the SES light takes longer to come on now.

vinuneuro · #10 01-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Adding 91+ octane would be a great start considering that's what BMW calls for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhb

Well, that did not last long. This morning I started the car and it shook badly. The CE light flashed again. It went away and the CE light went out after a minute or 2.

I have been putting regular gas in the car for a while now. Never had a problem before, and wonder if it's related? Seems the car should run fine whatever I put in it. Anyway, just filled an almost empty tank with Super. I'll keep an eye on it through a tank or 2 and see what happens.