So I learned how to swear in German on Monday.....

[bmrboi2]

As y'all may or may not know, I had some running issues with my N52 '10 X5. After replacing the Vanos cylinders, coils, plugs and playing Nancy Drew and The Case of the Possible Vacuum Leak, I was finally able to track down the running issue.

The truck was spitting and sputtering upon startup with cylinder 2 and 4 misfires (0029D0 & 0029CE), catalytic converter errors(0029F3 & 4) and a random cylinder 3 misfire (0029CF). Fuel pressure was fine, MAF and there were no vacuum leaks. I still had that sputter at startup and hesitation off the line. As a last ditch effort and some more research I was focused on the DISA valves. I ordered them both. The main and the secondary valves in hopes that this was my issue. The variable intake error led me to this as the last possible thing it could be (002AAB).

I replaced the main DISA valve on the outside Left of the Intake manifold. Showed signs of improving but still wasn't 100%, same sputter @ startup and same hesitation upon acceleration. I also had the 002AAB code and the cylinder misfires. When removing the main DISA valve, The flapper was gone. Gone, not flopping around as many have reported, just gone. I buttoned it back up attacked it this past Monday at my shop. Oh and of course the hood cable decided to die before I could begin Monday, the passenger side latch. (was getting replaced that day)

Removing the WHOLE intake and throttle body was......fun to say the least. Good God. Never again. Well now Im an expert and thanks to the Z4 Intake Manifold video on youtube, it made it a bit easier.

Once I got the manifold out I could not hear the DISA flapper rattling around inside. Strange. I look in the intake ports and there was half of the flapper in cyl 2, half in cyl 4 and the metal pin from the flapper laying on top of a valve in cyl 3. Those were my misfire issues. I removed the throttle body because some German engineer thought it would be wise to put the screw behind it for the secondary DISA valve. That one was defective as well, just flopping around.

We buttoned everything back up which took about 20 minutes. Reconnected everything, cleared the codes, fired it up and wouldn't you know.....SHE ROARED to LIFE!

Been running it all over the place, gently and aggressively and it has not missed a beat. Been perfect. Gas mileage has gone back up to 21.5 MPG from the dismal 17 MPG and It's so nice to have my truck back. I'd like to thank everyone who helped with the initial diagnosis and advising me where to look.

[95blkmax]

That's awesome news and a great success story to share. Glad it's back up and running!

[BGM]

Good to hear.

[Toothbrush]

Thanks for posting the solution! All to often threads die out with an unknown outcome and end up being no help to the rest of us.