CEL Engine Misfire
 

So Headed into the office this morning and was getting onto the expressway and the X5 Stumbles and Throws a CEL.....Engine is missing bigtime.....Awe Sh!t!

I pull over, turn off and restart. CEL gone engine running fine. I drive off gingerly and get a mile down the road, stumbling again, CEL and now at idle its missing heavily and idling around 500 RPM.

I restart and turn on the AC, the idle kicks up, CEL is off and all is seemingly well. 10 miles down the road, lots of shuddering in any gear at any throttle range.

I decide to turn around and head home. It is making pinging noises while in gear at idle and while in park the idle is fluctuating and there is a noticeable miss.

It seems like I got a crap batch of gas....that's what it feels like but im sure its some $700 part....Of course, my carly Bluetooth OBD thing is not here yet and its going into the Stealership on Tuesday. Ill Drop by a auto parts place and see what codes are thrown. Also Last night when I pulled in the car was running fine. No indication of an issue. I always fill up @ Costco and have never had issue.

I know any thoughts or advise would be like a shot in the dark but has anyone experienced this or something similar?

BTW I have Searched and I keep getting that error message.

Could be the fuel pump and it could also be a charging system problem.

The fuel pumps have had the warranty extended due to melting/overheating of the connection. See this thread - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...mall-leak.html

The fuel pumps are no fun to replace in the E70 compared to earlier BMW's.

Also while I like Carly for some things, you NEED to get OBDFusion. Carly falls WAY short in general OBDII support and Logging. You should be able to use the Carly interface with OBDFusion.

In the short term get the codes read, most auto parts stores do it for free, however, if the SES/CEL/MIL is not on, you may or may not have Pending codes.

Get OBDFusion, you will not regret it. Less than $10.

"bad gas" is very very very rare.

Pull the codes, let us know.

(OP said 'throws a CEL' so there will be codes)

Got it. Need that damn dongle now. Stupid Amazon. :thumbup: ARD I will post codes the second I get them. I tried driving to an auto parts store yesterday....Car was not having it. I stepped on the gas and it went shit the bed....which is leading me to believe its a fuel pump....a bad coil would not cause this kind of hesitation....

I usually suggest getting the OBDII interfaces from Amazon if you are located in the US/North America or in your specific Region/Country. Make sure you choose an interface that indicates that the order will be "Fulfilled by Amazon" otherwise you may be waiting for WEEKS for an interface to arrive from Asia. Ebay is another option, but pay attention where the interface will be shipped from, again weeks for an interface from Asia, so if you can wait and want to try to save some money, go for it, but if you need an interface soon, choose wisely.

Amazon.com: Veepeak mini OBD II OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth Diagnostic Adapter, Car Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII auto scanner, Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool For check engine light & diagnostics-Compatible with Torque Pro: Automotive

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

BTW, how much fuel is in the tank at this moment? If near 1/4 tank, you can use the Hidden OBC Menu to verify if the pump is the problem based on the fuel level in each side of the fuel tank.

I just ordered. The snow isnt flying so Im good for now I just want to find out whats wrong with it and IF my extended warranty covers it. If they do, the stealership will get it. If not, well Im happy the snow wont be flying for a bit and Ill be using that DIY.

There is about a half tank in it. (I rarely let it get that low)

Im gonna search around for someone near me with a diagnostic tool in the meantime.

To figure out how the level in each 1/2 of the fuel tank, you can follow this info - http://www.scoopz.com/m5board/E60_Hi...structions.pdf

Might just pop the rear seat and check the fuel pump for a melted pin as I mentioned in the link above. Takes about 15 minutes.

You read my mind :ninja:

Service Manager is emailing the codes today....Says its the Vanos...

I would not jump all over the VANOS at this point, there may be some VANOS related errors that show up, but what you are stating does not sound like a typical VANOS problem that I have run into.

+1000

Vanos confusion again?

OP- post ALL THE CODES. Not just what the service manager says is wrong.

In other BMWs a simple $100 camshaft position sensor will through vanos codes and ewe have seen BMW dealers spend $8000+ to chase this.

^+1 Absolutely a flaky cam sensor is more likely to be a problem with VANOS errors than the VANOS unit itself.

But VANOS problems are not likely going to cause misfires with fuel cut off, maybe a loss of power and performance, but misfires, I do not buy that for a moment.

VANOS often trigger codes under somewhat normal operational conditions. This is where you would want to Log the VANOS codes, clear them and see if and when they come back before you consider doing anything.

the codes are

2a87 vanos solenoid
29d0 misfire cylinder 4
29cd misfire cylinder 1

A VANOS solenoid problem should not cause misfires.

You probably have 2 separate problems.

Time for you to get your own OBDII tool.

OBDFusion for your smart phone or tablet is $10 or less, interface is $20 or less. So for $30 or less you can get your own data and stay clear of the dealer.

You want OBDFusion, for the iProducts it is $9.99, for Android is is $3.99.

For iProducts you NEED a Wifi adapter, for Android you can use the Bluetooth adapter.

iProducts adapter - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WPW6BAE/...BWNPO9BZ&psc=1

Android adapter - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WPW6BAE/...BWNPO9BZ&psc=1

So for the basic OBFusion, you are at $30 or less for iProducts and under $20 for Android. Very worth while once you find out what you can do with these Apps.

Another up and coming App is Carly for BMW, for the E53 it is a bit slow to the table with some of the features as they are working on most of the newer models, but it can read most of the modules on the vehicle and it is in a convenient smart phone or tablet form factor.

NOTE, Carly WILL NOT REPLACE OBDFusion, you will want BOTH.

If you think you want to get Carly for iProducts, you should really get the Carly interface.

You can use this discount code for the Carly Interface/Adapter.

Discount code can be added in the cart at check out for the Adapter/Interface at the ivini-tech site - E8FAKM

For users ordering an interface through Amazon UK or US, please contact Carly/ivini-tech before their adapter purchase via [email protected]. They will then receive a voucher code for Amazon directly from Carly/ivini-tech. Provide the above discount code in your email message to Support so they understand what you are requesting.

Visit the Carly web site at www.mycarly.com

The shop Website for voucher code: www.ivini-tech.de/en/

Android interfaces - Android BMW REMINDER - E46, E39, E38 etc REQUIRE USB cable option.

Apple interface - iOS BMW

So thoughts at this point are to figure fix the Cylinder 1 and 4 misfires which I am assuming are the coilpacks and recheck to see if I have a vanos code again?

Misfires are not often due to bad coils.

Also depends when the misfire occurs. Cold start and idle misfires are rarely coil or spark plug related. Typically these are vacuum leak or Lean problems.

Freeze Frame info would tell you under what conditions the misfire occurred.

This is where your own tool would be very helpful.

More than likely the issue is related to the coils. But, two at once is suspect. Did you happen to disconnect the electrical wires from the coils recently? If so, then your probably did not get the connectors seated properly...easy to do wrong as the retainer clip is of poor design in my opinion.

Otherwise, move the actual coils around and see if the fault follows the coil, if so, you know you have a faulty coil or two.

So Yesterday upon driving to the dealership....car ran like a top until the engine warmed up....about 2 miles down the road.

Right now I am looking to just get the darn thing running properly so that when its at home I can do the rest of the work needed (Vanos and the oil filter housing gasket because they are not covered by my Extended warranty.)

I have ordered the Diagnostic tool and its on its way.

I have not touched the coils on this car ever.

You might consider that the round rubber gasket between the MAF and intake has migrated but not yet stuck in the throttle......just a thought. I don't know if the 2nd gen x5 had that problem but the 1st gen sure did. Interesting to see the codes.

^^^^Yeah the Vanos was not the issue^^^^^ It turns out it was just the coils. Since it was in for the Gaskets they didn't charge me for labor. I had them replace the plugs and all 6 coils. Car is running like a champ.

Thanks guys for all of your help. I appreciate it.