CEL
 

Sorry...yes I have the 3.0 Gas engine...and I just took your advice and purchased the OBDFusion app and the wifi connector from amazon as the the light came back on again this morning. The problem is not as bad as it was but obviously the engine is compensating for something not working right.

Thanks for your responses. The OBDFusion app looks pretty cool so looking forward to using it and finding the problem.

Gary

I do not know the N52 as well as I know the M54, but I can tell you if the N52 is as close to the M54 as I think it may be, the majority of the cold start/Lean problems are due to vacuum leaks.

The DISA o-ring seal being one of the main sources at lower mileage.

I think the N52 actually has 2 DISA valves to make things even more challenging. Also I do not think anyone has started to look at non BMW solutions for the DISA primary seal like on the M54.

You might be into a smoke test once you figure out what the codes are.

Here is a simple smoke test option -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsgB9eBl58I

There is no where near the amount of diy stuff out there for the n52, n55 etc as there is for the m54. I'm curious as to whether aftermarket parts will ever appear in the same quantities. Bearings, pumps and the like.

I do not know enough about the N52 numbers, it seems that the M54 was a very popular and long running powertrain option, then the N52 showed up for a short period of time be direct injection and turbo charging became more popular.

I expect some aftermarket support, however, it may not be to the level that the M54 is supported.

This is why I look at a number of factors when I consider purchasing vehicles. I like to have "proven" and supported powertrains. I recommended a number of my friends to avoid the early turbo I6 for a number of reasons as I know the NA I6 was pretty well tired and tested.

obdfusion
 

So i have the adapter and software...what do i need to be looking for to see what is causing the lean codes please?

Thanks

Gary

Ok, saw your message, just so everyone can follow along you had P0171/P0174 Lean codes. Both Bank's Lean.

The BMW I6 engines are famous for vacuum leaks, but I can say I know the the M52/N54 engines like the back of my hand. The N52, I do not have much experience with, but like anything the problems are all pretty much the same, it is just pinpointing the exact cause on the specific engine.

So the first thing you need to do is to NOT clear the codes until you get ALL of the Freeze Frame data. On OBDFusion there may be 2-3 pages of Freeze Frame data that you usually access by swiping sideways or vertically on the screen. Make sure you forward that info to your email account or better yet set up a DropBox Free account and then upload the info to DropBox so it can easily be shared here in the forum. Will get into this in more detail later. One IMPORTANT thing is DO NOT download and install the DropBox software on your computer, it is NOT NEEDED and it will cause some issues if you do not manage it. When you go to install the DropBox software on your computer, once you enter your email address and password and it prompts you to download the software on your computer, just hit the BACK browser arrow and you will then be in your DropBox account.

So on to the OBDFusion App, you really need to spend about 20 minutes playing with it and finding your way around. Because these are Apps and the smart phones have few buttons, there are sometimes Menu buttons on screen or you have to touch and hold for a Menu to pop up.

You need to spend 20-30 minutes playing with it. The problem with ALL smart phone/tablet Apps is they only have 1 physical button, a few soft buttons and a LOT of hidden menus from pressing and holding on the screen.

OBDFusion is FAR more intuitive than other Apps.

First change the MAF reading from Pounds/Min to Grams/Sec, stupid EASY.

Settings, Units, Airflow, choose g/s.

Temp sometimes can be more useful in C vs F, but no so critical.

Settings, Log Setup then set the following:

Logging Enabled - checked

Logging Trigger - choose Trigger at a fixed sample time

Sample Time - choose 1000 msec

Log GPS Items - suggest you unselect it as to not advertise where you live

Select Items to Log - This varies a bit for each car. But here is a list I like to see:

Fuel - do not check any of these 3 items

SAE PID's:

Fuel system 1 status
Fuel system 2 status
Calculated load value
Engine coolant temperature
Short term fuel % trim - Bank 1
Long term fuel % trim - Bank 1
Short term fuel % trim - Bank 2
Long term fuel % trim - Bank 2
Engine RPM
Vehicle speed
Ignition timing advance for #1 cylinder
Intake air temperature
Mass air flow rate
O2 Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 1) - not all cars have this
O2 Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 2) - not all cars have this
O2 Voltage (Bank 2, Sensor 1)
O2 Voltage (Bank 2, Sensor 2)
O2 sensor Voltage wide range (Bank 1, Sensor 1) - not all cars have this
O2 sensor Voltage wide range (Bank 2, Sensor 1) - not all cars have this
Input Voltage read by the scan tool

Before you clear codes, get the Freeze Frame data and email or save the screen shot if this is an option. Freeze Frame data saves about 20+ questions as to what is going on.

One the App is started and connected to the vehicle, it ALWAYS Logs.

The Log files can be found under the Logs, Files tab.

WARNING do not waste any time trying to Graph on the App. All Apps and most standalone tools really SUX at Graphing, even the Pro level tools that are upward of $2k. You can play with it, but DO NOT bother posting any of the Graphs they are nothing but confusing and lack any real depth or information that can be helpful.

Under Diagnostics, you find Trouble Codes, Freeze Frame Info, PID Values and Report which you may need to swipe to the right to find while touching the Tabs listed. Depending on the size and layout of your phone Report may or may not be a visible tab. Sometimes it is just easier to rotate the phone to Landscape mode.

Make sure when you run a report the engine is running, this way I can at least see more data.

You can also perform Screen Shots or Grabs. On Android you hold the Power and Volume Down button until you hear the picture sound. On iProducts you You can capture the screen on your device by using the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons. You can find the screenshot in your Photos app.

You need to drive the vehicle until the SES/CEL/MIL comes on again and get the Freeze Frame data. Also Log the mileage and codes you get as this may be useful at a later date.

How many miles are on the vehicle now?

You may also have to get the parts for a smoke test to find intake or crankcase air leaks depending on what we find.

Fuel Trim values will be our friend here, this is what will help to understand what may be going on. I will need Logs and/or Fuel Trim values at warm idle and steady highway cruise. This is where Logging is helpful because the tool gathers and stores the data, you do not even need to look at it.

Do not be surprised if the CCV and hoses might be a problem or the intake boots.

I am sure I will give you more assignments once you figure out the Logging.

OBDfusion
 

Thanks for the detailed response...I can see why you were suggesting getting this app....so before I got your email I was playing around with the app and cleared the codes but I'm sure they will come back as they did before. I have changed the settings on the app so do you want me to wait until the code comes back or log the data now? I thought I could log it now because it will still tell us what is going on?

Thanks for your help...

Gary

Logs
 

OK..here are 3 log files....

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/sh...hare_link_copy

Thanks

Gary

I need another Warm Idle Log or you uploaded the wrong Log as this was before you chose the PID's to Log.

Only quickly glanced at the Log, but WOW, the LTFT are sky high, even at highway cruise. I would expect the codes to be back soon if you can actually drive the vehicle.

In short, when the LTFT are high to the Positive side at highway cruise, usually the problem is an under reporting MAF or a soft fail/weak fuel pump.

But before go down this road I need some history about the vehicle.

Have you refilled the fuel tank since you were at the dealer that claimed you had bad fuel?

What is the history on the MAF? Do you know if it original or if is was ever replaced?

Has any work been performed that may have required the O2 sensors to be disconnected?

Can you make sure you add the Wideband O2 sensors to the Logging?

If you look at the list of things to Log they may be listed as either Wideband O2 sensors or Lambda sensors. Usually they will have green data or values on the PID's that the engine supports.

It may be time for a Smoke Test?

But again, I want to re-read your comments from the beginning of the thread.

Lean codes
 

Yes...I have put 2 tanks of premium fuel in since the dealer suggested it could be bad fuel and the car has been running great and even the start up is not as bad as it was in the very beginning. I'll check the settings on the phone and send another log.

As far as I know no mods have been made to the MAF...I purchased the car in the summer from Fields BMW in Chicago and it was a car they had sold as new and did all of the servicing. It had 50K miles and now has 55,500K...dod you need the exact mileage?

I know the dealer tested the fuel pump pressure and told me everything was OK there...not sure about the O2 sensors being disconnected...he told me he tested those too.

What would be causing the LTFT to be so high?

I'll post a new log later.

Thanks for your help