New Code, very weird

[ProfessorX5]

After yesterday's P0128 and P0155, this morning I developed a P1353. I looked it up, and this came up:
- Faulty Spark Plug
- Faulty Ignition Coil
- Intake vacuum leak
- Faulty Camshaft Position Sensor
- Ignition Coil harness is open or shorted
- Ignition Coil circuit poor electrical connection

Symptoms: Engine vibration at idle, lessened if I gave it some gas. Also made a sort of thumping noise, and I could feel vibration if I put my hand on the crankcase. When I got home, I tried a parked version of the Italian Tuneup, revving it to 4500 rpm a few times then holding it at 2000,2500, and 3000 a bit. The shaking stopped.

Will be taking it in tomorrow to put in the new tstat. Mechanic thinks that will clear the P0155 as well as the P0128, but now I'm worried.

Please advise... feeling the bmw owner paranoia now.

[Roadkill]

Sounds to me like you're running on 5 cylinders. With those codes, I would expect a bad spark plug or coil pack.

[upallnight]

Mostly likely a bad coil. Swap the coils between 1 and 6 and if the code move to 1 you found the problem. If the code doesn't move to 1 replace the spark plug in cylinder no.6.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Mostly likely a bad coil. Swap the coils between 1 and 6 and if the code move to 1 you found the problem. If the code doesn't move to 1 replace the spark plug in cylinder no.6.

It may be that holding the engine at various RPMs cleared the plug for awhile. If either the coil or plug is bad the miss will return before long.

[tmv]

How's your VCG? If it leaks, the plug will be covered in oil, which lead to the misfire.
P1353 is a misfire Cylinder 6 with fuel cut-off. Oil run to the rear of the engine when leaks from VCG.

[ProfessorX5]

The VCG was replaced shortly before I bought it, supposedly. I wonder if they bothered to clean up while they were doing it, since the engine is dirty as hell (oil is already dark after 2000km).

I'll check #6 in the morning, though I'm puzzled as to why the engine would run smooth again after revving it for a while, and why it was only shaking at low rpms.

Thanks, guys. I'm puzzled and worried, but undaunted.

[puddinboo]

Originally Posted by ProfessorX5

The VCG was replaced shortly before I bought it, supposedly. I wonder if they bothered to clean up while they were doing it, since the engine is dirty as hell (oil is already dark after 2000km).

I'll check #6 in the morning, though I'm puzzled as to why the engine would run smooth again after revving it for a while, and why it was only shaking at low rpms.

Thanks, guys. I'm puzzled and worried, but undaunted.

when was the oil changed last? did you do it or get it done by someone? when you say oil is dark meaning black and thick on the dipstick?

[ProfessorX5]

@puddinboo - Changed the oil just 2000km ago, also stuck my finger in the crank case and it's pretty dirty in there, so I'll probably drop some seafoam in there change the oil again next week just to start cleaning it out.

[puddinboo]

Originally Posted by ProfessorX5

@puddinboo - Changed the oil just 2000km ago, also stuck my finger in the crank case and it's pretty dirty in there, so I'll probably drop some seafoam in there change the oil again next week just to start cleaning it out.

reason I ask is when I was getting ready to drive the x5 back home I had an engine light come on and it stalled ,sputtered ,ran rough ,so the dealer I got it from was able to get a mechanic to work overtime for me to check it out on a friday, and got a code that said camshaft positon sensor problem. so the first thing the mechanic (german guy)was check the oil it was thick, and told me to get the dealer to pay for an oil/filter change with full synthetic 5w40 as synthetic oil has alot more cleaners then conventional oil . so he showed me the oil filter it was gummed up realy bad and he could scrape sludge off with his fingers. so long story short ,he change oil and filter and started up the x5 and it purred like a kitten after that and still does, I did give it another oil change since after 3000km and when they changed it again no sludge build up at all they said the oil was still clean, but I`m glad I got it change again though. 1st one dealer paid for. this mechanic is fromyour kneck of the woods he realy knows his stuff and all he works on is bmw`s .small garage was intimidating at first but once you get talking to him hes realy a nice guy ,strong accent though and he has like a 3000.00 scan tool that tells you everything. I would go to him again but hes a bit far for me unless I`m going that way for a trip then I would make an appointment with him.

[ProfessorX5]

Ahh... was going to do the plugs in the spring... wanted to do it myself, but too cold to do it... will def check it out tomorrow, and just have the mech do it.
Thanks!