Jinxed Myself, x35d SES Code 4A6E (Cylinder 5 Plug Error)

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by BevMW

I never had a CEL for the glow plugs, just a rough idle on cold days. Mind you, when I say cold it's not that cold here. Never really below 0c.

I think the CEL is more for the module than the plug itself. But since I am in there... the plugs are going to get done too.

[garagelogician]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I think the CEL is more for the module than the plug itself.

This is usually the case. Glow plugs are just resistive heating elements and are not prone to failure. My VW TDI is 17 years old with almost 300k miles and it still has the original glow plugs. Any glow plug issue I've ever had is for the harness or associated electronics.

[crystalworks]

Well... that job sucked some serious sack. Took me about 6 hours total to do the job because of some self-inflicted time sucks and BMW's desire to everything they possibly could in the way of anything you might want to get at to do this procedure. I had to call in reinforcements twice when I was getting ready to rip the module harness out due to frustration at BMW's (and my) incompetence. My wife was kind enough to aid when smaller hands were beneficial. She had to clime on top of the crossbar that runs across the front of the engine bay so she could work in that back area where the module resides.

That job would be 10x easier if those harnesses had 5 more inches of length on them, OR all those vacuum electrical conduits weren't haphazardly running in front/above the module, OR the cooling system wasn't spidered all over the damn place. I did not remove the coolant pipe... though I will next time if I have to).

The actual work went without issue. Got all 6 plugs replaced with no real issues, came out just fine. Removal of the intake was not fun, but not bad either. Will update with a final "solved" post if that solved our issue. I do worry about my thermostat(s) as in the intake removal thread (a godsend) the OP mentioned he gets 30+mpg out of his but when his thermostat failed it would dropped to only about 25mpg ish. We've never gotten 30+ and highway the best we've gotten is 28mpg on the factory 19's. Mixed driving is always ~22mpg.

I also noticed some oil film on a large pipe going down along the right front of the engine, possibly a charge pipe from the turbo? I hope not as I would hate to think the seals are going on it. I had some oil in the intake, but nothing crazy, and the carbon buildup was not ridiculous... I didn't even clean it, though probably should have. Will post some pictures.

Anyway, there's always something isn't there?

[crystalworks]

Update: Loaded up Carly and went for a long drive today. Temps never got higher than 160 degrees F. Which is only ~71 degrees C. Looks like I will be doing thermostats as well so I don't ruin the glow plug work just completed.

I think I am going to have to have the thermostats done at an indy though as I am getting back surgery tomorrow. Anyone had them done and can share a pricing experience? Much appreciated. Dealer quoted ~$800 but I am pretty sure that's just for the engine thermostat.

[Dieseldonkey]

Strong work...yes your thermostat is 100% toast.
After my replacement of the thermostat it runs consistently 89-91 C

I paid an Indy to change my Thermostat with a bmw one from ecs tuning for around $450. He only charged me 0.25/hr to change the mechanical water pump while he was in there as well. He recommended this and I’m glad I got it done. 161,500 miles and counting.

Here is my notes from my repair.

BMW repairs

$56 thermostat with o-rings

$137 water pump plus gasket
Coolant

Labor
4.5 hours
2 gallons of coolant

[daytonatrbo]

Originally Posted by garagelogician

This is usually the case. Glow plugs are just resistive heating elements and are not prone to failure. My VW TDI is 17 years old with almost 300k miles and it still has the original glow plugs. Any glow plug issue I've ever had is for the harness or associated electronics.

I had one go bad on mine. When I bought it, #1 had been replaced due to a code. Code persisted, so I replaced the module. Before replacing the module I was getting codes for #1 and #6 (If I recall correctly). After replacing the module, #6 persisted. So I replaced it and now all is fine.

Replacing all 6 seems excessive to me. Especially with how easily the intake comes off.

[crystalworks]

As a bookend to the thread. Got the wife's truck back from the shop. $543 to replace the thermostat (they got the parts). Better than the $802 the dealer wanted I suppose. I know I could have done the water pump, thermostat, expansion tank, and associated hoses for that price... but that's how it goes. My back surgery recovery precludes any attempt at doing repairs myself. The wife would kill me if she caught me in the garage right now.

At any rate they scanned the whole truck and gave it a clean bill of health. The only error they pulled is for expired differential fluid, which I was aware of also. I have a pint of that here and I will do that myself in another couple weeks (hopefully) as they wanted $175ish to do that service. The cold starts seem easier after the glow plugs and module, and the acceleration "feels" better now that the engine is reaching operating temperature. We'll see how the mileage trends now.

Question though. I believe Carly can monitor regens. What should I be looking for now with that? How often do they occur, etc? I think I can also purchase (in app) the ability to force a regen. Is that something I should do? Thanks all for the input.

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

As a bookend to the thread. Got the wife's truck back from the shop. $543 to replace the thermostat (they got the parts). Better than the $802 the dealer wanted I suppose. I know I could have done the water pump, thermostat, expansion tank, and associated hoses for that price... but that's how it goes. My back surgery recovery precludes any attempt at doing repairs myself. The wife would kill me if she caught me in the garage right now.

At any rate they scanned the whole truck and gave it a clean bill of health. The only error they pulled is for expired differential fluid, which I was aware of also. I have a pint of that here and I will do that myself in another couple weeks (hopefully) as they wanted $175ish to do that service. The cold starts seem easier after the glow plugs and module, and the acceleration "feels" better now that the engine is reaching operating temperature. We'll see how the mileage trends now.

Question though. I believe Carly can monitor regens. What should I be looking for now with that? How often do they occur, etc? I think I can also purchase (in app) the ability to force a regen. Is that something I should do? Thanks all for the input.

Easiest to monitor your pre cat exhaust temp, anything over 350* or so and you are passively regenerating (active regen will get to 550-650). You can also monitor your soot mass, regeneration status, and throttle plate % for a more complete picture of what is happening when.