Intermediate Levers

[11zip]

Can the Intermediate Levers be replaced in the car without puling the heads?

[pezho405]

1- What car are we talking about? (Having info in the signiature helps)
2- What makes you think you need to replace them?

[11zip]

Sorry, not filling out the sig is such a newb thing to do. I will get it fixed.
2004 X5 4.4L (200k) and I am having start issues just as those described in the TSB about the levers. Only on one side, it starts fine then runs like crap and I get faults for bank 2 then it misses and clears up and runs great till you start it again. Seems there is a bulletin for this that symptoms seems exactly like those that I am having. I plan to change a few thing and I would like to get the starting issue resolved while I am in there. If I cant do them on the car then I am thinking about pulling the engine and doing a full rebuild. The rest of the X is great but I bought it used and it has some maintenance that didn't get done over the years and a few oil leaks that I hate.

[garrett.fell]

If you pop the valve cover they are right there. If you see a date stamp let me know where you found it! I've been looking for mine - hoping they've already been replaced with the improved version.

Ever so often I'll get rough running on start-up and misfire codes.


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[11zip]

Here is why I am thinking this is the problem. Also tell where to look for the date stamp.


Several 4.4L engines have experienced this issue whether in a 5 or 6 series. Probably something that should have been detected early on and at least one SIB (service bulletin on it). Maybe due to running some length of time with the misadjusted valve/lifters you may have had additional damage hence more parts than usual. But again, several have had their top ends rebuilt. SIB here: SI B 11 02 05 Engine January 2006 Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B11 02 05 dated May 2005. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N62 Engine - Rough Idle, Misfire Faults after Cold Start MODEL E53 (X5 4.4 i/4.8is); E60, E63/64, E65/66 with N62 from 06/04 up to 02/05 production SITUATION Customer may complain of erratic engine idle speed lasting for approximately 20 seconds after a cold start. Check Engine Soon light may be illuminated and misfire faults for various cylinders (e.g. FC 2742, 2743, 2744, 2745, 2746, 2748, 2749, 274E) may be stored in the DME. CAUSE Incorrect tolerances and geometry of Valvetronic intermediate levers are causing uneven cylinder filling during the transitional cold start period (60 seconds after the engine has been started) when the Valvetronic system is switching from the initial 6 mm to a minimum 0.3/0.8 mm valve lift. CORRECTION On a customer complaint basis, and after performing diagnostic procedure described below, replace the Valvetronic intermediate levers. PROCEDURE Perform basic engine diagnosis (compression, ignition, fuel pressure, etc) to rule out other potential causes. Allow the engine to cool down. Connect GT1/DIS loaded with CD 44.0, or higher, to a cold vehicle (coolant temperature below 30 deg C) and from the Function Selection select: "Service Functions", "Drive", "Engine management ME9", "Test runs" and then "Tolerance test, intermediate lever". Start the engine and follow-up the test plan. Observe rough running values when idle speed stabilizes. If values are in excess of +/- 2.5 accompanied with noticeable engine vibration (and sometimes Check Engine Soon flashing), then remove valve covers on both banks. Look for the intermediate lever production date (stamped on the lever, next to the smaller roller contacting the eccentric shaft). If the production date is in the range between "04 180" and "04 324" (e.g. day 324 of the year 2004), then the whole set of intermediate levers (16) has to be replaced. The same classification of levers must be used when ordering the intermediate levers (classification number is stamped below production date). There are 5 classifications of levers used in the N62 engine. Note: In an individual cylinder head, all levers must have the same classification, but two different classification of intermediate levers may be used in one engine (e.g. bank 1: classification 2, bank 2: classification 3). Important: The lower production range of the affected intermediate levers is only an approximation. It is possible that levers produced prior to "04 180" (but not earlier then "03 363") may have certain deviations in tolerances. For Valvetronic intermediate lever replacement procedure, refer to RA 11 37 012 (bank 1) and RA 11 37 014 (bank 2), found in BMW TIS. IMPORTANT: Improved intermediate levers are currently available from our Parts Department. In the event of a reproducible customer complaint proceed with the diagnostic and repair procedure. There is no need to contact Technical Hotline. PARTS INFORMATION Part Number Description Quantity 2 / 4

[Sarek]

If you do intermediate levers, do the eccentric shafts too. I have made that mistake before. There is an easier way to verify that it is a valvetronic issue also. Basically you force the engine to run in failsafe throttle body mode by mechanically turning the system to max valve lift.

[11zip]

Originally Posted by Sarek

If you do intermediate levers, do the eccentric shafts too. I have made that mistake before. There is an easier way to verify that it is a valvetronic issue also. Basically you force the engine to run in failsafe throttle body mode by mechanically turning the system to max valve lift.

How would I mechanically turn the system to max lift? By unplugging the valvetronics motor so it cant adjust after starting the car and see if it continues to run bad?

[Sarek]

Basically yes. However, You need to manually turn the motors to max valve lift.

[mr_robot]

My 05 4.8is falls into the SIB and has symptoms as described in the SIB to the tee.

Due to financial reasons and other repairs I need to take care of first this will have to be put off for a while. Possibly till next winter if the symptoms don't show on warmer days.

What sucks is that it's now getting colder and it's happening every morning.

My question is, besides the rough idle in the mornings is this damaging anything else?

Or is it just a nuisance?


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