Originally Posted by Emden (Post 1038102)

One of the codes that came up at the BMW dealer when it was brought in with the failed engine was the DME: Valvetronic, eccentric shaft sensor2: guide and reference.

I did some digging and discovered that the valvetronic sensors have a tendancy to malfunction. These sensors and motors control the valve system in the car, allowing the valve system to open up and let the car rev. I discovered that if this valve system were to malfunction it could throw off the engine timings and potentially cause serious mechanic damage to the engine internals.

Another code, that came up while driving away from the dealer was the limp home activation. I believe this is the code that the tech cleared without checking. Limp-home could be activated by a number of other serious issues, such as valve problems.


A code that came up when the car was brought in for the wiring harness AND when the car returned with the failed engine was the DME: differential-pressure sensor, intake manifold: plausibility.

I found out that this sensor figures out what the pressure is in the manifold and tells the valvetronic system to open up and relieve pressure. I also found that if this sensor malfunctions serious damage to the engine can occur if it isn't fixed. This sensor would also cause limp-home to be activated. I discovered on another forum that the valvetronic system can be locked down by the pressure sensor if it is malfunctioning. This pressure would then build up as the car warms up and would cause the engine to fail.

This seems to be pretty clear information that if BMW had been diagnosing my vehicle correctly that they might have been able to save my engine. :wow:

Originally Posted by trader4 (Post 1038111)

So, it sounds like it was having problems with the valvetronic system. But what we still don't know is whether that was due to a problem with that
system itself, or could it have been caused by something else, eg loose timing chain? As to the valvetronic system causing metal in the oil,
engine destruction, IDK. If it was just a sensor or similar that went,
for sure it could screw it up so that it would not run right, but I doubt
it could cause mechanical interference, metal to metal, etc. On the
other hand, if some mechanical part of the valvetronic was broken,
fell apart, etc, then I would think that could put metal into the oil, fail
the engine, etc. Or, as I said, it might also be something like the
timing chain that could have done it, but it would throw valvetronic
codes because the valve timing can't be properly controlled with a
chain flailing around, etc.

Just my 2 cents, speculative. What's the latest on where you're at
pursuing this?

Originally Posted by Emden (Post 1038102)

.

This seems to be pretty clear information that if BMW had been diagnosing my vehicle correctly that they might have been able to save my engine. :wow:

Originally Posted by Ron07x5 (Post 1039276)

[ ... ] Porsche will provide a cars service history that they have performed but not Bmw. Best of luck you deserve to win. [ ... ]

Originally Posted by Doug Huffman (Post 1039282)

Hmm. I have what purports to be my CPO BMW's service history, and it is quite plausible.