Exhaust cam over advanced
 

Hello again I have 2005 x5 4.4. I have a trouble code that is saying I have a exhaust cam is over advanced. I’m assuming I need to replace the timing belt or belts. Is this something I can fix myself or do I need to take it to the dealer to get the engine back in time?


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Need more information. Is this vehicle you just bought? Prior symptoms? Rattling noises upon start up? Mileage? Poor MPG? Any recent repairs done to the vehicle?

Without any information about your vehicle...I can tell you only this. An exhaust cam over advanced could be a failing and/ or stuck exhaust Vanos. A stretched chain (NO BELTS INSIDE OF THIS ENGINE)or bad guides would cause a retarded cam, as the valve events would occur later. Or, possibly a bad sensor.

Any other codes associated with the advanced cam?

We purchased this about 2-3 months ago. It has 130k miles. When we bought it it had a massive oil leak ( fixed it already it was the alt gasket) and the service engine soon light was on. I plugged in my scanner and it said exhaust bank cam was over advanced. When we first started diving it, it would idle rough at first then it would smooth out after a couple min. But the last time I drove it the engine was running so rough it was making the whole car vibrate like it had a bad wheel bearing or bad u joint. I’m sure the vibration isn’t from suspension. No other codes. We only paid $1500 for this car and it’s in really good shape other than this issue.


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Sounds to me like it could be a malfunctioning Vanos. but hard to say. Does the engine make a loud rattling sound at idle...like a diesel?

Exhaust cam over advanced
 

No rattle. Idles rough almost like race engine with an aggressive camshaft.


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Would putting regular gas in it make a difference. I didn’t realize it calls for premium until after I filled it up. My Buick calls for it right under the gas gauge the x5 has it on the inside fuel door and I completely missed it.


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Whatever the problem is it's why the previous owner sold it cheaply. You might try to check for a sticking exhaust Vanos valve spool. I'm going from 3.0l experience, but I think the 4.4 Vanos works the same way.

Well got around to trying to figure this out ran my scan tool and it said I had a misfire cyl3 pulled plug and it looked ok but a little wet with fuel. So I swapped plug from cyl3 with cly5 and misfire code went away so I went ahead and changed all 8 plugs. Started the engine after plug change and fired right up and ran smoother. Took out passenger side exhaust vanos cleaned and reinstalled. Did the same with intake vanos at this time as well. Got every thing back together and now it cranks but no start.


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So what did you end up doing? Was it the camshaft sensor?