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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > How long can you drive in limp mode for?



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      09-23-2016, 09:35 AM   #1
Pete.J
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Question How long can you drive in limp mode for?

Very briefly, I got a misfire on 2 cylinders (scanned for codes), and I'll be changing spark plug and coils in 2-3 days.

For the time being, I have two 12 hours shifts and I am pretty flat out the next 3 days before I can give any attention to the car.

The car is showing a half check engine light atm, and it's pulling very weak (limp mode).

Does driving the car in limp mode damage the engine in anyway? Will I flood the misfiring cylinders with petrol because it's not being burnt due to the misfire?

I'll have to drive it 60km (37 miles) a day everyday for the next 3 days, it's inevitable, hopefully I don't damage anything in doing so.

Thanks in advance!
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      09-23-2016, 09:49 AM   #2
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I would like to think that limp mode is there to minimise the likelihood of damage anyway isn't? Obviously nothing beats bedresting the car till it's fixed.

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      09-23-2016, 09:52 AM   #3
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I would strongly suggest that you do not drive the car in limp mode 60km (37 miles) a day, everyday for the next 3 days.

Limp mode is designed to allow the driver to get to safe location in case issue happens on the road or if you are near a shop. Not to mention you would pose a risk to yourself and other drivers due to a lack of car performance on the road.
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      09-23-2016, 10:27 AM   #4
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Ok thanks for the advice, looks like I am going to take Uber to work tomorrow.

Bloody N54, I read so much about the reliability of this engine before buying a 335i. Since I bought my car I was always scared of a day like this to come; where I can't get to a place because the car is broken down

I used to own a N52 E90 for 2 years before the N54, never missed a beat, the N52 is such a great engine. But it felt like a German Honda Accord really, reliable, does the job, and lacks torque!

Once I fix my car, I am sure I'll fall in love with it again, until it breaks again haha
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      09-23-2016, 10:38 AM   #5
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Can you clear the codes? Does it go into limp mode when you restart? If the code clears and you don't stay in limp mode, you can probably drive easy. If it keeps going back into limp mode, I wouldn't drive it.
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      09-23-2016, 11:06 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadow191 View Post
Can you clear the codes? Does it go into limp mode when you restart? If the code clears and you don't stay in limp mode, you can probably drive easy. If it keeps going back into limp mode, I wouldn't drive it.
Car would still misfire following clearing the codes, and after 5 mins of driving limp mode kicks in.

Codes description is just cylinder 4 misfire and cylinder 2 misfire, no other codes are showing. The car has been randomly misfiring every now and then over the last few weeks.

I actually have 6x OEM Bosch plugs and 6x OEM latest part no. coils (made by Eldor). They have been sitting in my room for a month now. I have been flat out busy and haven't had the time to replace them.

My time is torn between work and study, I just hope the N54 holds well during the exam period. Because I absolutely won't have time to work on it, I'll go buy a cheap $500 old Japanese bomb until the holidays start, then fix the N54 if it broke down in that timeframe.

I am not tuned btw, car is bone stock 2007 335i E92, 87,000 miles. I have taken care of all preventative maintenance except for the plugs, coils and waterpump (planning to replace the wp as a measure of preventative maintenance in the holidays. Still on original).

Already replaced parts/fluids just for the sake of preventative maintenance:
1- Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler gasket (were starting to leak)
2- Engine oil and filter
3- Magnetic sump drain plug
4- All vacuum lines all over the car have been replaced
5- Diff fluid
6- Power steering fluid
7- Valve cover gasket

To do: (all parts are sitting in my room, just no time)
1- Waterpump and coolant flush
2- Coils
3- Spark plugs
4- Brake fluid
6- Auto trans fluid and filter(pan)
7- Walnut blast

I wanted to get all maintenance items out of the way before starting tuning.

Let me know if I've forgotten any preventative maintenance items. I'll leave injectors and HPFP until they die, they usually show signs and don't die all of a sudden, and leave me stranded like the stupid water pump.
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      09-23-2016, 01:18 PM   #7
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And lets not forget the Oil Pan Gasket.
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      09-23-2016, 01:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pitos_7 View Post
Bloody N54, I read so much about the reliability of this engine before buying a 335i.
Not here you didn't.

If you haven't changed the plugs on an N54 before, be sure you have the special socket for your torque wrench. The one from BMS is best.
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      09-23-2016, 02:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pitos_7 View Post
Ok thanks for the advice, looks like I am going to take Uber to work tomorrow.

Bloody N54, I read so much about the reliability of this engine before buying a 335i. Since I bought my car I was always scared of a day like this to come; where I can't get to a place because the car is broken down

I used to own a N52 E90 for 2 years before the N54, never missed a beat, the N52 is such a great engine. But it felt like a German Honda Accord really, reliable, does the job, and lacks torque!

Once I fix my car, I am sure I'll fall in love with it again, until it breaks again haha
If you have new coils, just spend 10 minutes swapping the coil out. The only tool you need is a 5mm Allen (hex) key. 10 minutes is generous, I can do it in about 3. There's a good chance that the coil will cure it. If it does, problem solved. If it doesn't, you only spent like 10 minutes or less.
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      09-23-2016, 07:15 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pitos_7
Ok thanks for the advice, looks like I am going to take Uber to work tomorrow.

Bloody N54, I read so much about the reliability of this engine before buying a 335i. Since I bought my car I was always scared of a day like this to come; where I can't get to a place because the car is broken down

I used to own a N52 E90 for 2 years before the N54, never missed a beat, the N52 is such a great engine. But it felt like a German Honda Accord really, reliable, does the job, and lacks torque!

Once I fix my car, I am sure I'll fall in love with it again, until it breaks again haha
Dude I bought a cheap 99 civic dx for this exact reason lol $1200 and now I have a car to drive everytime my car is down for something. One of the best investment I've made since getting my 335
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