E91 Straight Six Bearding

[bobiwine]

I had 2A87 code for a while but no CEL. New vanos solenoids from main dealer and it went & never returned. Didn’t try swapping them over prior to getting new ones.

[Gad-Westy]

bobiwine said:

I had 2A87 code for a while but no CEL. New vanos solenoids from main dealer and it went & never returned. Didn’t try swapping them over prior to getting new ones.

Cheers. It is tempting to just get new solenoids and I probably will but it's just bugging the hell out of me that it doesn't really seem plausible that it could relate to the solenoids since I have already swapped one for the other and my code remains on the exhaust side.

[Gad-Westy]

Court_S said:

I bought mine from Autodoc.

Their delivery isn’t too bad at the moment; order on a Monday when it’s cheap and arrive by Friday or Saturday.

Assume you bought these ones?

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/pierburg/12771181

£108 each. Ouch! Did your's come with o-rings?

[Court_S]

Gad-Westy said:

Assume you bought these ones?

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/pierburg/12771181

£108 each. Ouch! Did your's come with o-rings?

That’s the badger. I paid £68 each for mine. Check the prices tomorrow - I always find Mondays cheaper.

Have a look on eBay to see if any if the dealers have them with discount codes.

[Gad-Westy]

Court_S said:

Gad-Westy said:

Assume you bought these ones?

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/pierburg/12771181

£108 each. Ouch! Did your's come with o-rings?

That’s the badger. I paid £68 each for mine. Check the prices tomorrow - I always find Mondays cheaper.

Have a look on eBay to see if any if the dealers have them with discount codes.

Cheers. Did you source o-rings separately?

[Gad-Westy]

Hmmm, I might have found my problem.

All of the threads on this subject on the internet focus on the 2A87 codes or 2A82 codes for exhaust or inlet. I've always had the 2A87 code no matter what I've done but it's also generally been accompanied by an OBD code, P0015 which is also a Vanos related code.

Anyway, tonight I've been reading far too much about N54 Vanos issues and I couldn't stand it anymore so I decided to set to work on the car again and make absolutely certain I hadn't missed anything silly. I didn't find anything but I did realise that one thing I hadn't tried in all my diagnosis was to swap the cam sensors over. Fiddly buggers but got them swapped. Went for a drive and I got a CEL light within a mile of leaving the house. Fired up Carista and....

The codes have moved. P0012 now on OBD and 2A82 engine fault and no longer 2A87.

So this to me looks like a case of knackered cam sensor? I'll try and get hold of one tomorrow and if that is ultimately what sorts this, I'll be one happy boy.

[Court_S]

Gad-Westy said:

Hmmm, I might have found my problem.

All of the threads on this subject on the internet focus on the 2A87 codes or 2A82 codes for exhaust or inlet. I've always had the 2A87 code no matter what I've done but it's also generally been accompanied by an OBD code, P0015 which is also a Vanos related code.

Anyway, tonight I've been reading far too much about N54 Vanos issues and I couldn't stand it anymore so I decided to set to work on the car again and make absolutely certain I hadn't missed anything silly. I didn't find anything but I did realise that one thing I hadn't tried in all my diagnosis was to swap the cam sensors over. Fiddly buggers but got them swapped. Went for a drive and I got a CEL light within a mile of leaving the house. Fired up Carista and....

The codes have moved. P0012 now on OBD and 2A82 engine fault and no longer 2A87.

So this to me looks like a case of knackered cam sensor? I'll try and get hold of one tomorrow and if that is ultimately what sorts this, I'll be one happy boy.

The Indy who had my car in said that they’re seeing a fair few cam sensor issues on the N54.

After mine last did it, I swapped them both for new ones and haven’t had the issue back (so far). Siemens VDO ones are OE and can be picked up for sensible money (mine arrived with the BMW part number ground off).

[Gad-Westy]

Court_S said:

Gad-Westy said:

Hmmm, I might have found my problem.

All of the threads on this subject on the internet focus on the 2A87 codes or 2A82 codes for exhaust or inlet. I've always had the 2A87 code no matter what I've done but it's also generally been accompanied by an OBD code, P0015 which is also a Vanos related code.

Anyway, tonight I've been reading far too much about N54 Vanos issues and I couldn't stand it anymore so I decided to set to work on the car again and make absolutely certain I hadn't missed anything silly. I didn't find anything but I did realise that one thing I hadn't tried in all my diagnosis was to swap the cam sensors over. Fiddly buggers but got them swapped. Went for a drive and I got a CEL light within a mile of leaving the house. Fired up Carista and....

The codes have moved. P0012 now on OBD and 2A82 engine fault and no longer 2A87.

So this to me looks like a case of knackered cam sensor? I'll try and get hold of one tomorrow and if that is ultimately what sorts this, I'll be one happy boy.

The Indy who had my car in said that they’re seeing a fair few cam sensor issues on the N54.

After mine last did it, I swapped them both for new ones and haven’t had the issue back (so far). Siemens VDO ones are OE and can be picked up for sensible money (mine arrived with the BMW part number ground off).

Cheers Court S. I'm actually quite tempted to do the vanos solenoids anyway as even though they might not be my problem at the moment it seems like they might well be another time. So might just get the lot from Autodoc and hopefully be done with that issue for good...

[Gad-Westy]

I've ordered one cam sensor (VDO which I believe is Siemens?) and one Pierburg Solenoid so that I have a known good one to swap about if I start getting more issues again. I might ultimately just replace them but the spending on this car is becoming daft so I wanted to reign it in somewhere. If this issue is fixed and now I have working AC, I shall quite happily put everything else on the back burner for a few weeks and let the bank balance and I long suffering back recover for a bit.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Swervin_Mervin said:

My a/c hasn't been regassed or serviced in the 11 years I've had the car and doesn't really get cold. However, if you shut all the vents apart from the driver's centre vent, it does blow quite cold. It was suggested to me that it's probably closest to the diverter box and so has the most linear run from the condenser...

This reminds me, I need to get it looked at and if everything's ok, get it re-gassed.

ETA: Booked in for next Monday so I guess I'll get to find out what horrors await!

Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Wednesday 21st June 10:20

And lo! No issues. No leaks, and good pressure. weirdly it even seemed way colder than it's ever been when I've had it in use

So they regassed it JIC.

Pretty impressed that a 134,000mi, 17yr old car, that hasn't had the a/c system even looked at in 11 years (not even a re-gas) appears to be totally fine.

[Court_S]

Gad-Westy said:

I've ordered one cam sensor (VDO which I believe is Siemens?) and one Pierburg Solenoid so that I have a known good one to swap about if I start getting more issues again. I might ultimately just replace them but the spending on this car is becoming daft so I wanted to rein it in somewhere. If this issue is fixed and now I have working AC, I shall quite happily put everything else on the back burner for a few weeks and let the bank balance and I long suffering back recover for a bit.

Siemens and VDO are the same thing; they’re the OE manufacturer for quite a lot of sensors on these (certainly the ones I’ve seen).

Hopefully it’ll sort the issue.

[pmorg4]

All this talk of cam sensors makes me want to preventatively replace mine when I've the fan out to replace the belts, rollers and tensioner. On the basis that the job will be much easier with the fan out and the parts aren't that expensive it seems a logical thing to avoid any hassle down the line.

I've already replaced one VANOS solenoid in response to a single instance of the check engine reduced power being triggered, and it's since done a trip to France and back with no issues, so reasonably confident that it's sorted (as much as you can be confident with an N54 )

[Court_S]

pmorg4 said:

All this talk of cam sensors makes me want to preventatively replace mine when I've the fan out to replace the belts, rollers and tensioner. On the basis that the job will be much easier with the fan out and the parts aren't that expensive it seems a logical thing to avoid any hassle down the line.

I've already replaced one VANOS solenoid in response to a single instance of the check engine reduced power being triggered, and it's since done a trip to France and back with no issues, so reasonably confident that it's sorted (as much as you can be confident with an N54 )

I did mine with the fan in place and it was a bit of a tit of a job to be honest because access was a bit tight. One wasn’t too bad but one was a bit of a sod especially with the bolts being quite dinky.

If you’re taking the fan out it’ll be loads easier and you won’t cut your arm to shreds.

[pmorg4]

Court_S said:

I did mine with the fan in place and it was a bit of a tit of a job to be honest because access was a bit tight. One wasn’t too bad but one was a bit of a sod especially with the bolts being quite dinky.

If you’re taking the fan out it’ll be loads easier and you won’t cut your arm to shreds.

That was exactly my thought process - I'm sure it's not worth removing the fan just to do the cam sensors, but if it's out for another job it makes the cam sensors a much easier job. I have the full belt kit ready to go, just need to set aside some time to get it done.

[sam.rog]

Well… it turns out I incorrectly diagnosed a tensioner issue as the reason the belt slipped off the pulleys.

Got an early finish from work and set out to replace the belt, tensioner and pulleys.
Removed the plastic air guide and removed the radiator fan. Staring back at me was the crankshaft pulley resting on the under tray, aah st. The pulley rubber has perished and torn.

Ordered a new crank pulley, should be here Wednesday. Got a 3/8 e12 socket and a 3/8 to hex adapter so I could use my impact driver. Removing the 4 bolts, 3 came loose no problem. Would the last, would it fk.

Ordered a 1/2 inch e12 socket for the big ugga duggas. Here tomorrow.

I’m away from Wednesday till Friday so can’t finish up.
Plus I’ve got someone wanting to come and see it Saturday as its for sale.
All this work and aggravation for someone else to get the fruit of my labours.

Finally the all the videos are for the 4 cylinder or a 5 series which have 12 foot of space between the radiator and engine. The e91 is tight.

On the bright side I’ve increased my tool collection and the engine block around the front is dry and oil free.

Edited by sam.rog on Monday 26th June 19:22

[Swervin_Mervin]

Spooky. I was only reading a post elsewhere today about BMW crankshaft pulleys disintegrating.

I think my tensioner pulley needs doing - had a look today with the guy at the Indy and it's just jumping a touch on startup. So will get it booked in for later this year and might get the crankshaft pulley done as well. Is there anything else worthwhile doing whilst in there?

[Gad-Westy]

While I'm waiting on parts to arrive from autodoc to tackle my CEL issue, I thought I'd turn my attention to some other items on the to-do list. Anyone know anything about either of these?

1) Load cover rattle. Loud rattle from boot area. If I take the load cover out of the car, the rattle disappears. It rattles in all configurations, load cover out, cargo net or any combo there of.

2) The load cover hooks into some slider grooves on at the boot lid end. On my E61, it would automatically rise up in the grooves when you open the glass tailgate. On the E91, nothing happens. Should it?

3) The N/S mirror does not dip in reverse regardless of which side is selected. Adjustment works fine though.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Gad-Westy said:

While I'm waiting on parts to arrive from autodoc to tackle my CEL issue, I thought I'd turn my attention to some other items on the to-do list. Anyone know anything about either of these?

1) Load cover rattle. Loud rattle from boot area. If I take the load cover out of the car, the rattle disappears. It rattles in all configurations, load cover out, cargo net or any combo there of.

2) The load cover hooks into some slider grooves on at the boot lid end. On my E61, it would automatically rise up in the grooves when you open the glass tailgate. On the E91, nothing happens. Should it?

3) The N/S mirror does not dip in reverse regardless of which side is selected. Adjustment works fine though.

1 - will be the cassette rattling in its anchors I would imagine. Could try some sticky foam/rubber pads to damp any looseness

2. Yes, it should rise up. But they get sticky and, IME, often need a waggle.to pop up. I'd love to know why that is, but mine has been like that almost as long as I've owned it. I've even tried pulling hte cover out to its limits and then thoroughly cleaning it with APC, but no luck.

3. I don't think mine does either.

[RECr]

I think no 3 is only fitted on cars with the electric folding mirror option.

[Gad-Westy]

Thanks both. Surprised the mirror doesn't dip. My E36 and E46 both did that without folding mirrors.