X3 Sudden Rough Running with DME codes
 

Our 2008 X3 3.0si is running very rough and stalling. It was running fine until last weekend. The attached pdf includes scans from last month when running fine, last weekend after trouble began, and today after clearing codes and running it for a minute. Can anyone tell what the issue might be? The starter was replaced last month. Could the problem be the adjacent crankshaft sensor?

Today's DME codes after clearing codes and running for a minute:
(CODE / Description / Kilometers)
002A87 DME Exhaust VANOS, mechanism 288072
002901 DME: Combustion misfires, cylinder 5 288072
0029CF DME. Combustion m1sfires. cylinder 3 288072
0029CE DME: Combustion misfires. cylinder 2 288072

Last weekend's DME codes after trouble started:
002A17 DME: OMTL, system rault 288048
002A87 DME'. Exhaust VANOS. mechanism 288072
002A98 DME; CrankshaR • inlot camshaft, reference 288048
002A82 DME: VANOS intake 288072
002A99 DME: CrankshaR • exhausl camshaft, referenœ 288048
002901 DME: Combustion mlsflres, cylinder 5 288072
0029CF DME· Combustion mlsflres. cylinder 3 288072
0029CE DME: Combusbon misfires, cyhnder 2 288072
002900 DME: Combusbon m1sfires, cyhnder 4 288072

Last month's DME code when running fine:
MSV80 0x002A82 DME: VANOS intake 287680

The above may have resolved itself for now. After adding a bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol and refilling with fuel, the rough running issue is a lot better. If it doesn't return, it might have been a bad tank of gas and/or water contamination.

But that symptom has been replaced by a less serious although annoying symptom of a very loud whistling sound from the engine once warm. This is our first BMW 6-cyl. Loosening the oil cap reduced the sound substantially. It seems like the engine's pulling too much internal vacuum. What might cause that?

Sounds like a bad CCV valve for starters.

Thanks! I'm now pretty sure you're right. Contemplating a quick temporary fix for our upcoming trip since our CCV (apparently integral with valve cover) seems to have failed opened rather than closed. Does anyone know which high-quality (e.g., metal) external PCV would fit the main hose? I think I read about a metal PCV valve from a Ford possibly fitting over on Bimmerfest. Is there one connection or two hiding on the bottom of the intake? Since our 2008 came without any provision for a dipstick, I'm hoping just one.

That's news to me, I thought the E83 used the M54 with the same CCV as the E53. The wife's 2005 is the same. There is no need for a metal PCV over plastic. If you want quality and adjustability the M/E Wagner PCV is REALLY nice.

Wow, I agree! That M/E Wagner DF-17 Dual Flow PCV Valve does look REALLY nice! I'm considering ordering one even though there's not enough time left to get it before my upcoming trip. I think I might try just installing the Ford PCV valve in-line between stock CCV and intake without removing anything. The link where it was actually used bypassed stock instead (possibly due to their stock CCV failing closed rather than failing opened), and was a BMW 6 but possibly a different engine than ours, plus they didn't specify exactly which Ford valve (not knowing Fords I assume there could be many different part numbers).

I believe our '08 E83 (subject of this thread) has an N52 6-cyl engine. From memory, I think our '04 E53 has an N62 8-cyl engine (although I recall from early parts ordering trouble that a different probably M-series 8-cyl engine was in previous years). Perhaps BMW took longer to update the 6 from M to N series than the 8?