N62 4.8is- Engine REBUILD after Valvetronic/Vanos issues/codes
 

Hi guys,

I've been watching lots of youtube videos on the N62 motor after buying my E53 4.8is and I came across Timm's BMW Repairs and Information channel where he talks about various issues with the N62 motor.

I am pretty annoyed that I may have issues after I spent $500 getting a BMW dealer on the other coast here in Australia to do a pre purchase inspection as I live on the East coast and had limited time to fly over and organise.

After finding the owner who spent around $8,000 in repairs a couple of years ago and having a chat over the phone, he tells me they tried to sort out the valvetronic issue which resulted in a rough cold idle and misfires even after going back to the mechanic to try and resolve. He tells me their fix was to unplug it!

So after hearing this I start looking through youtube videos while I wait for my car to arrive (3-4 weeks to be shipped from west coast to East).

I thought it might be a simple fix such as PCV valves etc or the owner I bought it off (who bought it off the guy who spent good money on repairs) had fixed it but I also wanted to do my own maintenance so I after a lot of research on Diagnostic computers I settled upon the new Launch X431 CRP919X OBD2 Scanner as it appeared to do a lot and the reviews were raving about how GREAT a scanner it is etc (I sort of feel conned now).

Anyway, the car finally arrived and I ran a diagnostic scan and this is what I found.

There are 4 issues for Power system：
1.DME: Camshaft Control, Exhaust, Bank 2 - Output Stage
2.DME: Function, Camshaft Control, Inlet, Bank 2
3.DME: Variable Intake System - Temperature Warning Threshold
4.DME: Variable Intake System - Plausibility

There are 1 issues for Chassis system：
1.EHC: CAN Bus

There are 1 issues for Safety and Security system：

1.DSC: Steering-Angle Sensor, Supply

There are 3 issues for Vehicle body system：
1.SM/LSM: Steering Column, Radial: Short Circuit
2.SZM: Seat Heating, Seat Cushion, Right, Open Circuit
3.IKE: Electronic Braking-Force Distribution

There are 2 issues for Infotainment system：

1.RAD: Fault In Aerial Power Supply
2.Fault DSP_2

More in Depth here

RAD (Radio)
DTC Qty (1)

02 RAD: Fault In Aerial Power Supply

EHC (Electronic Ride-Height Control)
DTC Qty (1)

32 EHC: CAN Bus

DSP (Digital Sound Processor)
DTC Qty (1)

02 Fault DSP_2

IC (Instrument Cluster - INSTR)
DTC Qty (1)

BD IKE: Electronic Braking-Force Distribution

And now for the quite concerning things;

ECM (Engine Control Module - DME/DDE)
DTC Qty (4)

27BE DME: Camshaft Control, Exhaust, Bank 2 - Output Stage
2732 DME: Function, Camshaft Control, Inlet, Bank 2
2821 DME: Variable Intake System - Temperature Warning Threshold
2820 DME: Variable Intake System - Plausibility


After watching a youtube Video of Timm going through how to buy a good N62 I noticed his cold start and mine were quite different which is why I have now recorded my start to compare.

Timms



Mine



So I really want to fix my possible valvetronic issue as my main priority. I have done an oil change and replaced all the spark plugs. The oil was pretty dark but the old filter was pretty good and there isn't any sludge or build up anywhere in the system I can see, in fact the internals looks very clean just like Timms.

So now I'm in contact with the BMW dealership who did the inspection and having a conversation about how to resolve this.

In case I don't have any luck I want to have a crack at solving this myself, with the help of you all (thank you!).

Here is the last big invoice for the car.

Cheers and thanks!

https://i.vgy.me/i3dOCd.jpg

there is no such thing as a good N62 motor. also i do not need any valvetronic faults stored. first fix cam faults, the disa motor fault can be ignored for now
if the valve cover was just removed, check the correct installation of the cam sensors. sometimes the connector can be swapped

Thanks,

How do I check the sensors, what I mean is which wires are they and how do I know if they are correct or not?

Appreciate your help.

Is there an N62 engine PDF or full parts diagram I can reference?

Ta

Edit: How did my start sound to you?

There's a whole bunch of power codes in there that suggest that the battery died or got very low. When I have a sea of codes, I generally clear them and see what comes back after a drive. There's a good chance you'll have a lot less of them to deal with. BMWs throw all kind of errors when the voltage gets too low.

Edit: Also, charge the battery and confirm that the alternator is outputting ~13.5v or higher.

I genuinely would not do any other diagnostic work until you've done that.

Thanks Nick,

I cleared the codes but the Vanos codes come back (as do some others).

ECM (Engine Control Module - DME/DDE)
DTC Qty (4)

27BE DME: Camshaft Control, Exhaust, Bank 2 - Output Stage
2732 DME: Function, Camshaft Control, Inlet, Bank 2
2821 DME: Variable Intake System - Temperature Warning Threshold
2820 DME: Variable Intake System - Plausibility

I'll pop the battery on charge, clear codes again then see what remains.

How did the start sound to you?

I just checked the battery which read 12.62V. I've popped the charger on and will clear codes and see what comes back.

I'm not confident this will solve the problems but worth a try.

I put my battery on charge, ran diagnostics, cleared all faults, went for a drive, codes returned

I'm not going to pretend that I'm an N62 expert, but a bunch of camshaft control codes would have me looking at the vanos solenoids next. Pull them out, run brake clean through them. See if you can cycle them. S50B32 and S62 solenoids can be cycled with a 9V battery. I don't know if that applies to the N62.

Cheers I'll do when I have the time.

I'm still wondering if the start up sounds normal though as nobody has commented on that so far lol

Probably because engine recordings vary so widely that about all we can really say is that the engine started and doesn't sound like it's about to blow a rod through the side.