Problems E46 330ci
Discussion
Looks like E46 ownership isn't progressing as i had hoped and seems I have stumbled on a mystery. The car (a 2001 330ci) wasnt running too well at idle felt like it was hunting for revs but when warm it idled perfectly.
Took it to my local inde who told me that the diagnostic system is reporting a misfire on cylinder 5 and an exhaust cam sensor problem, however after about 10 minutes the problem goes away with no error readings. Apparently the smooth running values for cylinder 5 increase to around 6.5 but then slowly return to normal.
He swapped the coil pack and plug with those from cylinder 2 but the problem remained at cylinder 5. He also sprayed brake cleaner on when there might be a suspected airleak, apparently sometimes the cleaner would be taken in, other times it wouldnt. Apparently when they looked at the ECU it was evident someone had already been in there a few times.
So I am looking for possible solutions or ideas, Could it be an air leak? Or maybe something to do with the ECU?
I feel like a muggins for taking the car for mine which was in much better condition, but we live and learn I suppose.
Took it to my local inde who told me that the diagnostic system is reporting a misfire on cylinder 5 and an exhaust cam sensor problem, however after about 10 minutes the problem goes away with no error readings. Apparently the smooth running values for cylinder 5 increase to around 6.5 but then slowly return to normal.
He swapped the coil pack and plug with those from cylinder 2 but the problem remained at cylinder 5. He also sprayed brake cleaner on when there might be a suspected airleak, apparently sometimes the cleaner would be taken in, other times it wouldnt. Apparently when they looked at the ECU it was evident someone had already been in there a few times.
So I am looking for possible solutions or ideas, Could it be an air leak? Or maybe something to do with the ECU?
I feel like a muggins for taking the car for mine which was in much better condition, but we live and learn I suppose.
Edited by Steameh on Saturday 13th February 11:19
Steameh said:
Looks like E46 ownership isn't progressing as i had hoped and seems I have stumbled on a mystery. The car (a 2001 330ci) wasnt running too well at idle felt like it was hunting for revs but when warm it idled perfectly.
Took it to my local inde who told me that the diagnostic system is reporting a misfire on cylinder 5 and an exhaust cam sensor problem, however after about 10 minutes the problem goes away with no error readings. Apparently the smooth running values for cylinder 5 increase to around 6.5 but then slowly return to normal.
He swapped the coil pack and plug with those from cylinder 2 but the problem remained at cylinder 5. He also sprayed brake cleaner on when there might be a suspected airleak, apparently sometimes the cleaner would be taken in, other times it wouldnt. Apparently when they looked at the ECU it was evident someone had already been in there a few times.
So I am looking for possible solutions or ideas, Could it be an air leak? Or maybe something to do with the ECU?
I feel like a muggins for taking the car for mine which was in much better condition, but we live and learn I suppose.
How rapidly does it hunt? Could be VANOS seals - see http://www.beisansystems.com/index.htmlTook it to my local inde who told me that the diagnostic system is reporting a misfire on cylinder 5 and an exhaust cam sensor problem, however after about 10 minutes the problem goes away with no error readings. Apparently the smooth running values for cylinder 5 increase to around 6.5 but then slowly return to normal.
He swapped the coil pack and plug with those from cylinder 2 but the problem remained at cylinder 5. He also sprayed brake cleaner on when there might be a suspected airleak, apparently sometimes the cleaner would be taken in, other times it wouldnt. Apparently when they looked at the ECU it was evident someone had already been in there a few times.
So I am looking for possible solutions or ideas, Could it be an air leak? Or maybe something to do with the ECU?
I feel like a muggins for taking the car for mine which was in much better condition, but we live and learn I suppose.
Edited by Steameh on Saturday 13th February 11:19
When where the last plugs changed?
is there any water in the oil or Vice versa?
On some of the E46 sites there is mention of computer issues?
When you swapped the coil packs did the issue move or stay on that Cylinder
Have you pressure tested that cylinder?
I had a similar light on missfire reported issue and it was largely solved by new plugs
is there any water in the oil or Vice versa?
On some of the E46 sites there is mention of computer issues?
When you swapped the coil packs did the issue move or stay on that Cylinder
Have you pressure tested that cylinder?
I had a similar light on missfire reported issue and it was largely solved by new plugs
It just feels lumpy, and will somtimes go down to around 400rpm then a quick rev up to around 1000 (im assuming to prevent stalling) it doesnt always do this though.
Just checked the oil filler cap and the dipstick, no white gunk so I assume no water in the oil. When the coil pack was moved the problem stayed with cylinder 5 so didnt follow the coil pack. Not sure when the plugs were changed but my mechanic indicated that the plug and pack on cylinder 5 were changed recently. Not sure if he pressure tested the cylinder.
He seemed to think it was either a ECU problem, or something to do with the breather system and a diaphragm problem.
I'm not the most technically gifted, so just looking for possible encounters anyone else may have had.
Also what damage will this do to the engine if it can't be fixed?
Just checked the oil filler cap and the dipstick, no white gunk so I assume no water in the oil. When the coil pack was moved the problem stayed with cylinder 5 so didnt follow the coil pack. Not sure when the plugs were changed but my mechanic indicated that the plug and pack on cylinder 5 were changed recently. Not sure if he pressure tested the cylinder.
He seemed to think it was either a ECU problem, or something to do with the breather system and a diaphragm problem.
I'm not the most technically gifted, so just looking for possible encounters anyone else may have had.
Also what damage will this do to the engine if it can't be fixed?
Edited by Steameh on Saturday 13th February 16:09
Edited by Steameh on Saturday 13th February 16:10
Edited by Steameh on Saturday 13th February 16:10
Does this completely go away after the car's been running for 3-4 mins?
If so, it does sound the same as the M52TU cold stall issue, which affects the 328 in the same way you describe - sometimes even stalling. BMW supposedly fixed the software for the M54 so it wouldn't do this, but maybe with age the problem starts happening again.
AFAIK the problem is because the VANOS seals harden and replacement with the Besian seals is about £60 for parts and a few hours of labour. However, if it's only affecting the cold start phase I wouldn't panic about it.
If so, it does sound the same as the M52TU cold stall issue, which affects the 328 in the same way you describe - sometimes even stalling. BMW supposedly fixed the software for the M54 so it wouldn't do this, but maybe with age the problem starts happening again.
AFAIK the problem is because the VANOS seals harden and replacement with the Besian seals is about £60 for parts and a few hours of labour. However, if it's only affecting the cold start phase I wouldn't panic about it.
essayer said:
Does this completely go away after the car's been running for 3-4 mins?
If so, it does sound the same as the M52TU cold stall issue, which affects the 328 in the same way you describe - sometimes even stalling. BMW supposedly fixed the software for the M54 so it wouldn't do this, but maybe with age the problem starts happening again.
AFAIK the problem is because the VANOS seals harden and replacement with the Besian seals is about £60 for parts and a few hours of labour. However, if it's only affecting the cold start phase I wouldn't panic about it.
Yeah it goes completely when the car has completely warmed, the mechanic was watching the smooth running values and after 5-10 mins, they return to normal levels and the car runs perfectly. I'm ringing my mechanic on monday to book it back in and mention the vanos seals to him.If so, it does sound the same as the M52TU cold stall issue, which affects the 328 in the same way you describe - sometimes even stalling. BMW supposedly fixed the software for the M54 so it wouldn't do this, but maybe with age the problem starts happening again.
AFAIK the problem is because the VANOS seals harden and replacement with the Besian seals is about £60 for parts and a few hours of labour. However, if it's only affecting the cold start phase I wouldn't panic about it.
Steameh said:
Looks like E46 ownership isn't progressing as i had hoped and seems I have stumbled on a mystery. The car (a 2001 330ci) wasnt running too well at idle felt like it was hunting for revs but when warm it idled perfectly.
Took it to my local inde who told me that the diagnostic system is reporting a misfire on cylinder 5 and an exhaust cam sensor problem, however after about 10 minutes the problem goes away with no error readings. Apparently the smooth running values for cylinder 5 increase to around 6.5 but then slowly return to normal.
He swapped the coil pack and plug with those from cylinder 2 but the problem remained at cylinder 5. He also sprayed brake cleaner on when there might be a suspected airleak, apparently sometimes the cleaner would be taken in, other times it wouldnt. Apparently when they looked at the ECU it was evident someone had already been in there a few times.
So I am looking for possible solutions or ideas, Could it be an air leak? Or maybe something to do with the ECU?
I feel like a muggins for taking the car for mine which was in much better condition, but we live and learn I suppose
Trying to pull the wool over someones eyes with respect to selling on a car with a known problem, what goes around comes around!Took it to my local inde who told me that the diagnostic system is reporting a misfire on cylinder 5 and an exhaust cam sensor problem, however after about 10 minutes the problem goes away with no error readings. Apparently the smooth running values for cylinder 5 increase to around 6.5 but then slowly return to normal.
He swapped the coil pack and plug with those from cylinder 2 but the problem remained at cylinder 5. He also sprayed brake cleaner on when there might be a suspected airleak, apparently sometimes the cleaner would be taken in, other times it wouldnt. Apparently when they looked at the ECU it was evident someone had already been in there a few times.
So I am looking for possible solutions or ideas, Could it be an air leak? Or maybe something to do with the ECU?
I feel like a muggins for taking the car for mine which was in much better condition, but we live and learn I suppose
Edited by Steameh on Saturday 13th February 11:19
Steameh said:
essayer said:
Does this completely go away after the car's been running for 3-4 mins?
If so, it does sound the same as the M52TU cold stall issue, which affects the 328 in the same way you describe - sometimes even stalling. BMW supposedly fixed the software for the M54 so it wouldn't do this, but maybe with age the problem starts happening again.
AFAIK the problem is because the VANOS seals harden and replacement with the Besian seals is about £60 for parts and a few hours of labour. However, if it's only affecting the cold start phase I wouldn't panic about it.
Yeah it goes completely when the car has completely warmed, the mechanic was watching the smooth running values and after 5-10 mins, they return to normal levels and the car runs perfectly. I'm ringing my mechanic on monday to book it back in and mention the vanos seals to him.If so, it does sound the same as the M52TU cold stall issue, which affects the 328 in the same way you describe - sometimes even stalling. BMW supposedly fixed the software for the M54 so it wouldn't do this, but maybe with age the problem starts happening again.
AFAIK the problem is because the VANOS seals harden and replacement with the Besian seals is about £60 for parts and a few hours of labour. However, if it's only affecting the cold start phase I wouldn't panic about it.
Turns out my mech now thinks it is a VANOS problem, his reasoning is that if it was an air leak it was unlikely to pass it's MOT today on the emissions, and there is a few stored codes regarding the exhaust camshaft sensor. I was looking at these;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Or would I be better going for the Beisan systems o-rings and waiting a bit longer.
Has anyone done the fix themselves?
I am actually trying to sell the car at the moment, but would like it completely fixed before I move it on.
Sorry for the thread resurrection, only really had time to have the problem looked at now.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Or would I be better going for the Beisan systems o-rings and waiting a bit longer.
Has anyone done the fix themselves?
I am actually trying to sell the car at the moment, but would like it completely fixed before I move it on.
Sorry for the thread resurrection, only really had time to have the problem looked at now.
Edited by Steameh on Wednesday 28th July 12:35
jz325i said:
I'm a bit confused - i thought it was only cyl 5 that was affected? Surely a VANOS or camshaft issue would show problems on other cylinders too?
If it was a misfire on cylinder 5 and you've replaced the coil and spark plug, then I think you should look at testing the wiring from the ECU to the coil pack. And if there's a connector between the coil pack and ECU, maybe re-seating that would fix the fault.
I would have thought the same, not being the most mechanically minded guy in the world though I wouldn't really know where to start. It is probable the vanos seals are fubar though, the car has done around 96k. He didn't mention the cylinder 5 running values this time, just the stored exhaust camshaft fault code.If it was a misfire on cylinder 5 and you've replaced the coil and spark plug, then I think you should look at testing the wiring from the ECU to the coil pack. And if there's a connector between the coil pack and ECU, maybe re-seating that would fix the fault.
If this doesn't work I will have a look at the ecu and see if anything looks out of place.
One way to find out if it's the VANOS is to pull out a connector underneath the valve (?)
Apparently if the car is fine when you have pulled this plug out, it's almost certainly the VANOS, if not, keep hunting.
ICV is a good call, and it may possibly just be in need of a major service.
Apparently if the car is fine when you have pulled this plug out, it's almost certainly the VANOS, if not, keep hunting.
ICV is a good call, and it may possibly just be in need of a major service.
marclemay2010 said:
hi mate i have the same problem with 5 can i have your number to see what happened how it was fixed etc? thanks marc
Hi, I never really got to the bottom of the problem, sold the car after making the buyer fully aware of the problem and bought a Monaro VXR.Hope you get your problem sorted!
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