[DeobandiPrince]

Hey guys. Relatively new here and I've spent a couple months doing research to no avail so thought I'd make a post with my issues specifically.

Bought a 2009 E90 328i 6MT in January that immediately developed a slight misfire. Upon startup (doesn't matter if warm or cold) it would shake pretty bad after 30-40 seconds for a couple seconds and then stop. Previous owner stated he changed spark plugs and coils a couple months back. Had a CEL for misfire on cylinder 4,5,6 even if you swapped coils around. If you didn't let the car idle at start up and drove through that initial 30-40 second time period, no CEL would come on ever. Out of diligence I changed the bank 2 O2 sensor, swapped coils around, replaced all VCG related gaskets (more on this later) but the issue still persisted. I thought since it only affects the car on start up and not much else I could do, I'd just drive the car.

As of recent the car now does the stutter at idle at all times. I replaced the MAF sensor, air filter and ordered a new valve cover (VCG still leaks. Did the job twice now and it leaks right after so assuming stretched aluminum bolts as I made sure to do the job right using dabs of liquid gasket on the corners to hold it in place.)

This is the codes I got from a mechanic. I replaced the MAF sensor after getting this from him. (Window switches went out last week cause I spilled water in them. Have a new one shipping to me now.)


I have my own OBD2 dongle and these are the codes I got after replacing the MAF sensor.


Here is a video of the situation after replacing the MAF sensor.

As you can see, when you let off the throttle it shakes, but when it settles, it doesn't anymore.

My valve cover gasket leaks pretty bad. It doesn't leak for a bit but after about a month or so, it gets worst. You see smoke come out from the hood after a long drive and smells like oil progressively worst. Waiting on my order from FCP for the set. Got the car smoke tested and they said the only place they saw smoke come out from was through the Valvetronic motor. Could this be just a symptom of an age old vaccum leak from the VCG?

EDIT: To add, from what I understand, short term fuel trims should more or less be at 0 if I'm not mistaken but when I use my cheap dongle, it's pegged out and if I'm not mistaken, isn't that a symptom of a vaccum leak? Could that be the cause of the misfire. I hope it is because I love the car and I'd really like to keep it without having to throw parts at it hoping one thing fixes it.

[charlie_m]

If it were my car, I would double check the plugs the PO put in; there have been some counterfeit plugs on the web. See if the tip has burned away, increasing the gap.

[e91Owner]

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see the pictures of your codes. They are just blank.

In terms of your VCG, you should replace all of the gaskets on the VC—valvetronic, ESS gasket as well as the cover cover gaskets. In my experience, this is typically just a bandaid, though and it will eventually leak again. The only solution I have found that works is to replace the entire valve cover, which includes the gaskets. in my cases, the diaphragms n the oil separator had failed, but even with that in tact, the system itself in the cover can get clogged.

[jericho_17]

Probably last owner couldn't solve it either and that's why he sold it

[DeobandiPrince]

Originally Posted by e91Owner

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see the pictures of your codes. They are just blank.

In terms of your VCG, you should replace all of the gaskets on the VC—valvetronic, ESS gasket as well as the cover cover gaskets. In my experience, this is typically just a bandaid, though and it will eventually leak again. The only solution I have found that works is to replace the entire valve cover, which includes the gaskets. in my cases, the diaphragms n the oil separator had failed, but even with that in tact, the system itself in the cover can get clogged.

It's 2021 and I can't figure out how to upload pics on the internet.
Should be visible now.

I've ordered a whole new valve cover with all associated gaskets. Do you think that's what's causing the codes and the symptoms shown in the video?

[DeobandiPrince]

Originally Posted by charlie_m

If it were my car, I would double check the plugs the PO put in; there have been some counterfeit plugs on the web. See if the tip has burned away, increasing the gap.

I pulled them out earlier and they had the Bosch markings on them and looked fairly new. Anything else you recommend checking?

Updated the CEL codes in the original post btw if that helps

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by DeobandiPrince

It's 2021 and I can't figure out how to upload pics on the internet.
Should be visible now.

I've ordered a whole new valve cover with all associated gaskets. Do you think that's what's causing the codes and the symptoms shown in the video?

Of the active codes you sent and the video, it could absolutely be from vacuum leaks caused by a faulty VC. However, you've got a lot going on there. If your VC is leaking, it is certainly worth replacing. You already have the codes noted, so after replacing it & relearning the valvetronic motor limits with ISTA or INPA, start from a clean slate by clearing the codes and see what reappears.