Engine Management Light on X5

[Skrambles]

Anybody had experience of the EML coming on in their e53? So far, after 2 visits to BMW, they have replaced all 8 ignition coils and a spark plug to address the issue but the light has come on again this morning. It comes on when starting the car from cold in low temperature conditions - e.g. it came on this morning when it was about 8oC outside. Any ideas what's causing this?

[< FORZA WEST]

Any idea as to what fault codes have been listed??

[Remagel2507]

Could be anything - come across coolent temp sensors, camshaft sensors, crank sensors

As said above best to see whats flagged up on the scanner

[8Tech]

8C is really not that cold and I would assume that if the dealer has replaced the coils and a plug, they are getting an ignition misfire fault code. Strange they changed 1 plug and 8 coils, I would have done it the other way round. As it is a V8, are the cam cover gaskets leaking and filling the plug recesses with oil?

8Tech.

[4nonymous]

Egr valve?

[Big_Dog]

Without fault codes its a tricky one. You could try www.x5drivers.co.uk
Is it petrol?

[Skrambles]

Thanks for replies - it's a petrol (v8) - it's been in again and the dealer can't find the source of the problem. The computer apparently shows no error messages/codes at all!

[Skrambles]

Big_Dog said:

Without fault codes its a tricky one. You could try www.x5drivers.co.uk
Is it petrol?

Big Dog, you're a star - x5drivers had a post about this issue and there's been a service bulletin. Bad news is that it looks like an expensive fix.



SI B 11 02 05
Engine January 2006
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B11 02 05 dated May 2005.

designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
N62 Engine - Rough Idle, Misfire Faults after Cold Start


MODEL
E53 (X5 4.4 i/4.8is); E60, E63/64, E65/66 with N62 from 06/04 up to 02/05 production


SITUATION
Customer may complain of erratic engine idle speed lasting for approximately 20 seconds after a cold start. Check Engine Soon light may be illuminated and misfire faults for various cylinders (e.g. FC 2742, 2743, 2744, 2745, 2746, 2748, 2749, 274E) may be stored in the DME.

CAUSE
Incorrect tolerances and geometry of Valvetronic intermediate levers are causing uneven cylinder filling during the transitional cold start period (60 seconds after the engine has been started) when the Valvetronic system is switching from the initial 6 mm to a minimum 0.3/0.8 mm valve lift.

CORRECTION
On a customer complaint basis, and after performing diagnostic procedure described below, replace the Valvetronic intermediate levers.

PROCEDURE

Perform basic engine diagnosis (compression, ignition, fuel pressure, etc) to rule out other potential causes.

Allow the engine to cool down.

Connect GT1/DIS loaded with CD 44.0, or higher, to a cold vehicle (coolant temperature below 30 deg C) and from the Function Selection select: "Service Functions", "Drive", "Engine management ME9", "Test runs" and then "Tolerance test, intermediate lever".

Start the engine and follow-up the test plan.

Observe rough running values when idle speed stabilizes. If values are in excess of +/- 2.5 accompanied with noticeable engine vibration (and sometimes Check Engine Soon flashing), then remove valve covers on both banks.

Look for the intermediate lever production date (stamped on the lever, next to the smaller roller contacting the eccentric shaft).

If the production date is in the range between "04 180" and "04 324" (e.g. day 324 of the year 2004), then the whole set of intermediate levers (16) has to be replaced. The same classification of levers must be used when ordering the intermediate levers (classification number is stamped below production date). There are 5 classifications of levers used in the N62 engine.

Note: In an individual cylinder head, all levers must have the same classification, but two different classification of intermediate levers may be used in one engine (e.g. bank 1: classification 2, bank 2: classification 3).

Important: The lower production range of the affected intermediate levers is only an approximation. It is possible that levers produced prior to "04 180" (but not earlier then "03 363") may have certain deviations in tolerances.

For Valvetronic intermediate lever replacement procedure, refer to RA 11 37 012 (bank 1) and RA 11 37 014 (bank 2), found in BMW TIS.

IMPORTANT:

Improved intermediate levers are currently available from our Parts Department.

In the event of a reproducible customer complaint proceed with the diagnostic and repair procedure. There is no need to contact Technical Hotline.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Quantity

11 37 7 516 895
Intermediate levers class 1
Maximum 16

11 37 7 514 012
Intermediate levers class 2
Maximum 16

11 37 7 514 013
Intermediate levers class 3
Maximum 16

11 37 7 514 014
Intermediate levers class 4
Maximum 16

11 37 7 514 015
Intermediate levers class 5
Maximum 16

11 12 7 513 194
Valve cover gasket bank 1
1

11 12 7 513 195
Valve cover gasket bank 2
1

11 31 7 507 432
Tensioner sealing ring
2

07 11 9 903 596
Valvetronic motor spacer ring
2

11 14 7 506 424
Timing chain cover, u-shape metal gasket, bank 1
1

11 14 7 506 425
Timing chain cover, u-shape metal gasket, bank 2
1

11 36 7 513 222
Vanos solenoid O-ring
4

11 36 7 546 379
Vanos solenoid O-ring
4

11 36 7 501 423
Vanos unit bolts
4

12 14 1 748 398
Cam sensor o-rings
4

11 12 7 518 420
Eccentric shaft sensor o-ring
2

NOTE:

It is not necessary to replace spark plugs tubes during a course of this repair.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Defect Code
11 37 91 42 00


Labor Operation:
Labor Allowance:


Main work:
00 55 453
93 FRU &#65533; E53 X5 4.4i/4.8is

91 FRU &#65533; E65/66

102 FRU &#65533; E60, E63/64


+Associated work:
00 55 793
91 FRU &#65533; E53 X5 4.4i/4.8is

90 FRU &#65533; E65/66

100 FRU &#65533; E60, E63/64

Note: The following explanations will spell out the correct use of the work times.

Main Work:
Use this labor operation number when the only repair performed is the listed warranty repair.

[Skrambles]

Has anyone had the valvetronic levers in their 4.4 replaced?

[john_p]

Hmm, "Service Engine Soon" means that's a US bulletin. I wouldn't be too hasty to pin that on the problem just yet, I wouldn't be surprised if the US cars get a different engine setup due to the emissions regs over there.

It also seems quite specific to relate to rough running after startup rather than seeing the SES / CEL come on

Tried a decent independent garage?

[Skrambles]

john_p said:

Hmm, "Service Engine Soon" means that's a US bulletin. I wouldn't be too hasty to pin that on the problem just yet, I wouldn't be surprised if the US cars get a different engine setup due to the emissions regs over there.

It also seems quite specific to relate to rough running after startup rather than seeing the SES / CEL come on

Tried a decent independent garage?

Thanks John. It seems that some UK owners have had this same problem and it was the levers, but I'll keep an open mind.

Haven't tried an indie yet.

[Skrambles]

Has anyone had the valvetronic levers on their x5 replaced? To anyone who has - how much did it cost and where did you get it done?