[Sean978]

Like the title states, I'm looking for some folks that have dealt with this.

I took a ride last weekend and out of nowhere after a 3rd gear pull, the car threw a litany of codes; 2a87, 2a98, 2a99, a couple other Vanos codes .... mutliple cylinder misfires (every cylinder), knock detection cylinder 2 .... some others that are escaping me right now and I dont have the list in front of me. Those were the pertinent ones. Immediately pulled over on the highway and turned off car. Tried clearing codes and restarting and the car clearly wasn't right. It stalled, and I got a tow home from that point.

From the limited amount of material I found to research i'm nearly convinced the bearing ledges are scored, and that cam timing jumped. I'm gearing up to move the car to our garage to start opening up the valve cover and seeing whats going on. My question is, for those of you have dealt with problem, how did you attack it??

ANY info before I start tearing her down would help. Thanks guys.


*Edit* should also mention I cleaned both Vanos Solenoids, which were dirty. On restart the idle calmed down to normal for about 3 minutes before shit hit the fan again and went back to sounding like and idling like dogshit.

[007_e350]

Is your car an M3 ? I haven't heard many n54 s with bearing ledge failure,

do you have meth? What were you IAT s if you were logging ?

[Jklad]

The bearing ledge is a known issue that can happen, though not often. Someone also wrote a diy on here.

Why not start by replacing both your solenoids and clearing adaptations before considering the most extreme possibility?

[pits200]

What year, typically ledge failure is in the 07s and 08s even though there are some claims for 09 and 10 too.

[Sean978]

Originally Posted by pits200

What year, typically ledge failure is in the 07s and 08s even though there are some claims for 09 and 10 too.

Its an 09. 103k nearly...

Originally Posted by Jklad

The bearing ledge is a known issue that can happen, though not often. Someone also wrote a diy on here.

Why not start by replacing both your solenoids and clearing adaptations before considering the most extreme possibility?

I cleared adaptations a bunch of times, should have mentioned that also. While I was on the highway waiting for the flatbed. Also before and after I cleaned the solenoids. In all honesty I want to replace the valve cover gasket before this had all happened so i'm going to have the valve cover off anyway, so i'm curious what it'd look like. Theres only a handful of pics from presumably the same motor that I could find. Seemed like a worst case scenario with an etched camshaft also...

The last time I started the car, after the vanos solenoids were cleaned, there was a distinct metal on metal sound and awful noise coming from the exhaust side of the valve cover.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by Sean978

Its an 09. 103k nearly...

I cleared adaptations a bunch of times, should have mentioned that also. While I was on the highway waiting for the flatbed. Also before and after I cleaned the solenoids. In all honesty I want to replace the valve cover gasket before this had all happened so i'm going to have the valve cover off anyway, so i'm curious what it'd look like. Theres only a handful of pics from presumably the same motor that I could find. Seemed like a worst case scenario with an etched camshaft also...

The last time I started the car, after the vanos solenoids were cleaned, there was a distinct metal on metal sound and awful noise coming from the exhaust side of the valve cover.

Ok....I meant reset adaptations after you replace both vanos solenoids. again, I suggest replacing both your vanos solenoids before moving on the the cam bearing ledge as an issue. At $85 each, this simple fix could easily be your issue. Cleaning them is often insufficient.

[titium]

Originally Posted by Sean978

Like the title states, I'm looking for some folks that have dealt with this.

I took a ride last weekend and out of nowhere after a 3rd gear pull, the car threw a litany of codes; 2a87, 2a98, 2a99, a couple other Vanos codes .... mutliple cylinder misfires (every cylinder), knock detection cylinder 2 .... some others that are escaping me right now and I dont have the list in front of me. Those were the pertinent ones. Immediately pulled over on the highway and turned off car. Tried clearing codes and restarting and the car clearly wasn't right. It stalled, and I got a tow home from that point.

From the limited amount of material I found to research i'm nearly convinced the bearing ledges are scored, and that cam timing jumped. I'm gearing up to move the car to our garage to start opening up the valve cover and seeing whats going on. My question is, for those of you have dealt with problem, how did you attack it??

ANY info before I start tearing her down would help. Thanks guys.


*Edit* should also mention I cleaned both Vanos Solenoids, which were dirty. On restart the idle calmed down to normal for about 3 minutes before shit hit the fan again and went back to sounding like and idling like dogshit.

What's the service history like? could be poor service history and sludged up oil? you did state that cleaning the solenoids fixed it for a while, probably (I'm guessing) until they got dirty again.

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by titium

What's the service history like? could be poor service history and sludged up oil? you did state that cleaning the solenoids fixed it for a while, probably (I'm guessing) until they got dirty again.

From what I have read, cleaning the vanos solenoids has had very limited success and usually does not solve any issues for very long. I would probably do new solenoids at that mileage anyway and go from there

[Julian2485]

Originally Posted by Sean978

Its an 09. 103k nearly...

I cleared adaptations a bunch of times, should have mentioned that also. While I was on the highway waiting for the flatbed. Also before and after I cleaned the solenoids. In all honesty I want to replace the valve cover gasket before this had all happened so i'm going to have the valve cover off anyway, so i'm curious what it'd look like. Theres only a handful of pics from presumably the same motor that I could find. Seemed like a worst case scenario with an etched camshaft also...

The last time I started the car, after the vanos solenoids were cleaned, there was a distinct metal on metal sound and awful noise coming from the exhaust side of the valve cover.

At one point I was getting vanos codes. It ended up being the oil filter cap stem was missing. It has a oring on it that controls oil flow.

[spxxx]

I had this issue on my old e92 335i (2007) - $2k repair I believe. (Covered by third party warranty)

[hoopvillian]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

From what I have read, cleaning the vanos solenoids has had very limited success and usually does not solve any issues for very long. I would probably do new solenoids at that mileage anyway and go from there

I might be an exception but I got my car at 50k and it would throw vanos cels whenever I would punch it. I cleaned then swapped intake and exhaust and now Im sitting at 148k miles without throwing another code. Ledges are fine too.

[924er]

Common issue for the earlier n54

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Sean978

Edit* should also mention I cleaned both Vanos Solenoids, which were dirty. On restart the idle calmed down to normal for about 3 minutes before shit hit the fan again and went back to sounding like and idling like dogshit.

I just had one X5 3.5i with the same issue. Run ATF with the engine oil, clean vanos solenoids, clean vanos check valves, clean crank possion sensors, Rotella T6 and see... It worked for the X5

[techwhiz]

Bearing ledges replaced on my car twice under warranty.
With the previous owner at about 30K miles.
With me, it was done at about 95K miles when I was having rough running and the dealer rebuilt the head on my car including cam ledges.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by feuer

Run ATF with the engine oil

Never heard of this before?!? how long for and whats the purpose (I'm guessing to break down sludge?)

[feuer]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

Never heard of this before?!? how long for and whats the purpose (I'm guessing to break down sludge?)

It's good "detergent" because is thin. Could be also used in the fuel but not good for catalyst converters. It will clean and lubricate the lines and injectors, especially in diesel engines. In the engine head it will clean and lubricate the valve lifters. I used 1q in 7q engine. Ran it for about 30-45min for the engine for get hot. If there isn't any or much matal shavings on the vanos check valves screen probably is not camshaft ledges. Oil quality and oil flow is huge factor in these engines throwing vanos codes or not. Some say it wouldn't make difference and could harm the engine but I have seen it work. For a DIY-er is $50 for some ATF and good diesel engine oil due to higher detergent quilities built into it. Is definitely a worth of try.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by feuer

It's good "detergent" because is thin. Could be also used in the fuel but not good for catalyst converters. It will clean and lubricate the lines and injectors, especially in diesel engines. In the engine head it will clean and lubricate the valve lifters. I used 1q in 7q engine. Ran it for about 30-45min for the engine for get hot. If there isn't any or much matal shavings on the vanos check valves screen probably is not camshaft ledges. Oil quality and oil flow is huge factor in these engines throwing vanos codes or not. Some say it wouldn't make difference and could harm the engine but I have seen it work. For a DIY-er is $50 for some ATF and good diesel engine oil due to higher detergent quilities built into it. Is definitely a worth of try.

Not that I'm a mechanic but have been around cars all my life practically and I've never heard of this!

TBH I'm dubious I know I wouldnt run it in my N54

There a lot of conjecture on this thread on the use of ATF as a engine flush:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...opics/263558/3

Well then OP can buy an engine flush meant for flushing engines. There's at least 4 or 5 out there that are well respected. It's not ATF, but same concept as suggested.