CEL Engine Misfire

[ard]

Originally Posted by jfoj

I would not jump all over the VANOS at this point, there may be some VANOS related errors that show up, but what you are stating does not sound like a typical VANOS problem that I have run into.

+1000

Vanos confusion again?

OP- post ALL THE CODES. Not just what the service manager says is wrong.

In other BMWs a simple $100 camshaft position sensor will through vanos codes and ewe have seen BMW dealers spend $8000+ to chase this.

[jfoj]

Originally Posted by ard

+1000

Vanos confusion again?

OP- post ALL THE CODES. Not just what the service manager says is wrong.

In other BMWs a simple $100 camshaft position sensor will through vanos codes and ewe have seen BMW dealers spend $8000+ to chase this.

^+1 Absolutely a flaky cam sensor is more likely to be a problem with VANOS errors than the VANOS unit itself.

But VANOS problems are not likely going to cause misfires with fuel cut off, maybe a loss of power and performance, but misfires, I do not buy that for a moment.

VANOS often trigger codes under somewhat normal operational conditions. This is where you would want to Log the VANOS codes, clear them and see if and when they come back before you consider doing anything.

[bmrboi2]

the codes are

2a87 vanos solenoid
29d0 misfire cylinder 4
29cd misfire cylinder 1

[jfoj]

A VANOS solenoid problem should not cause misfires.

You probably have 2 separate problems.

Time for you to get your own OBDII tool.

OBDFusion for your smart phone or tablet is $10 or less, interface is $20 or less. So for $30 or less you can get your own data and stay clear of the dealer.

You want OBDFusion, for the iProducts it is $9.99, for Android is is $3.99.

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So for the basic OBFusion, you are at $30 or less for iProducts and under $20 for Android. Very worth while once you find out what you can do with these Apps.

Another up and coming App is Carly for BMW, for the E53 it is a bit slow to the table with some of the features as they are working on most of the newer models, but it can read most of the modules on the vehicle and it is in a convenient smart phone or tablet form factor.

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[bmrboi2]

So thoughts at this point are to figure fix the Cylinder 1 and 4 misfires which I am assuming are the coilpacks and recheck to see if I have a vanos code again?

[jfoj]

Misfires are not often due to bad coils.

Also depends when the misfire occurs. Cold start and idle misfires are rarely coil or spark plug related. Typically these are vacuum leak or Lean problems.

Freeze Frame info would tell you under what conditions the misfire occurred.

This is where your own tool would be very helpful.

[Davidf]

More than likely the issue is related to the coils. But, two at once is suspect. Did you happen to disconnect the electrical wires from the coils recently? If so, then your probably did not get the connectors seated properly...easy to do wrong as the retainer clip is of poor design in my opinion.

Otherwise, move the actual coils around and see if the fault follows the coil, if so, you know you have a faulty coil or two.

[bmrboi2]

Originally Posted by jfoj

Misfires are not often due to bad coils.

Also depends when the misfire occurs. Cold start and idle misfires are rarely coil or spark plug related. Typically these are vacuum leak or Lean problems.

Freeze Frame info would tell you under what conditions the misfire occurred.

This is where your own tool would be very helpful.

So Yesterday upon driving to the dealership....car ran like a top until the engine warmed up....about 2 miles down the road.

Right now I am looking to just get the darn thing running properly so that when its at home I can do the rest of the work needed (Vanos and the oil filter housing gasket because they are not covered by my Extended warranty.)

I have ordered the Diagnostic tool and its on its way.

I have not touched the coils on this car ever.

[DrRick]

You might consider that the round rubber gasket between the MAF and intake has migrated but not yet stuck in the throttle......just a thought. I don't know if the 2nd gen x5 had that problem but the 1st gen sure did. Interesting to see the codes.

[bmrboi2]

^^^^Yeah the Vanos was not the issue^^^^^ It turns out it was just the coils. Since it was in for the Gaskets they didn't charge me for labor. I had them replace the plugs and all 6 coils. Car is running like a champ.

Thanks guys for all of your help. I appreciate it.