N54 check codes - help wanted

[gofaster 101]

Bear with me, this is a bit long-winded…

 

Looking to tap into the Bimmersport knowledge base before admitting defeat and taking my car to a workshop.

 

Car is an N54 powered 130i and I have been struggling with VANOS and Boost check codes for some time. Engine mileage is 98,500km.

 

I’ve tried to tackle this myself over time in the hope of saving a bundle of money a workshop may have charged swapping things out in the hope of striking lucky, but now I am not sure about the next step.

 

What I have noticed, done or replaced:

 

The large engine check light comes on, but not until the oil temp needle starts moving away from minimum and typically occurs under light load (as I don’t use WOT until hot), then often thereafter. The small engine check light appears even less often and usually only appears when more throttle is applied such as a punt up the motorway.

I cant help but think the boost issue is a sensor/electrical issue given the typically light load that causes the check, which is always followed by limp mode. I’m hoping the Vanos issue is not the Camshaft Ledge thing I read a little about.

 

A stop/start clears limp mode and the large check light, although a OOBD2 unit is required to clear the small engine check light and all codes.

 

The only configuration change I have made since purchasing was to remove the oil catch can that was connected to the aftermarket PCV valve while replacing the rocker cover and gasket, so back to factory.

 

 

Checked or replaced:

 

Replaced both Vanos Solenoids (after cleaning originals which had no affect)

Cleaned both Vanos sensors that sit on right side of block near front

Replaced both camshaft position sensors

Replaced both Boost sensors that connect to canisters and wastegates

Replaced all vacuum piping I could find except the one going to rear turbo wastegate (too hard for now)

Checked oil filter cap to ensure the centre piece is still there (has been at each oil change)

Have done a lot of other maintenance such as most gaskets but unsure that would be causing the codes.

Codes:

 

Vanos code:       2A82 DME: VANOS Intake

Boost code:        3100 DME: Boost pressure control deactivation (typical)

                Or           30FF DME: Turbocharger boost pressure too low (very infrequent)

Also get:              2BA2 DME:  Terminal 15 deactivation, activation (maybe nothing?)

                              2F6C DME: Exhaust gas-flap, activation ( assume because of "golf tee" mod at rear muffler)

 

These codes appeared before I had the car tuned (by Autopassion), same codes appear after but boy it’s more fun until the check light comes on.

 

Was hoping to move the car on, however would like to fix these issues first as I don’t want to sell the car as is.

 

Hopefully someone in the Bimmersport community has had experience with these codes on the N54 engine and can pass on their experiences.

If I lived in Auckland I would get it back to HellBM for a look as they built the car, and seem to know what they are doing.

Cheers, John

Edited October 6, 2022 by gofaster
tidy up

[M3AN 4016]

Only questions, no answers I'm afraid...

Has it always done this in your ownership, or did it just pop up one day?

Does it have a N54 DME, or some hacked up N52 version (not sure if that's even possible)?

Have you tried another DME? That's not a straight forward exercise but might tell you something.

Have you tried to view live data whilst reproducing the problem? Requires a passenger plus at least INPA, and lot's of time (and patience) but it might tell you something, e.g. momentary massive overboost, fuel pressure drop etc.

[gofaster 101]

27 minutes ago, M3AN said:

Only questions, no answers I'm afraid...

Has it always done this in your ownership, or did it just pop up one day?

Does it have a N54 DME, or some hacked up N52 version (not sure if that's even possible)?

Have you tried another DME? That's not a straight forward exercise but might tell you something.

Have you tried to view live data whilst reproducing the problem? Requires a passenger plus at least INPA, and lot's of time (and patience) but it might tell you something, e.g. momentary massive overboost, fuel pressure drop etc.

Hi Dave

I got the small check code driving back to Ch Ch which cleared upon restarts.

The large lower check light started soon after I got home, but I didn't get a scanner for another month waiting on Chinese snail mail.

As far as i know, the engine, ECU and dash cluster was transferred over from  donor car, I do not have another ECU and would likely need an assist with that sort of thing.

I did a quick run with another member here with his data logger, but it did not show any over boost from memory, if anything not making full boost, but was some time ago now so memory not so flash.

[M3AN 4016]

That's a bugger John. Did you buy it direct from HellBM? Have you spoken to them about it? If you did buy it from them, they may well be responsible for fixing it, I imagine they sell enough cars to be considered a dealer. Although given the geographic distance I can see that being problematic for you.

Yeah, the ECU swap thing is not a simple exercise I think because of the VIN/EWS/Whatever security but it would help eliminate the "brain is the problem" option. I had to send my M3 ECU away (to Christchurch coincidentally) to be repaired some years back to fix an unfathomable problem that had cost me a lot in replacement parts already.

Worth also pointing out that my boost/fuel examples above were examples only, you'd need to look at a lot more live data, possibly with an expert eye, to cover most/all possibilities. On that note, if you needed to throw money at it, it might be worth finding a local N54 dyno tuner (not just a mapper), to actually run the thing to failure on their dyno, whilst logging all of the data so that it can be interrogated. I can't see that costing you much less than $1k though, possibly more.

Edit: I'll ask the idiot question: you're running it on 98 exclusively right?

Edited October 6, 2022 by M3AN

[Gaz 1060]

Would you say it's getting worse? Do you know if the HPFP was replaced? 

[gofaster 101]

41 minutes ago, M3AN said:

That's a bugger John. Did you buy it direct from HellBM? Have you spoken to them about it? If you did buy it from them, they may well be responsible for fixing it, I imagine they sell enough cars to be considered a dealer. Although given the geographic distance I can see that being problematic for you.

Yeah, the ECU swap thing is not a simple exercise I think because of the VIN/EWS/Whatever security but it would help eliminate the "brain is the problem" option. I had to send my M3 ECU away (to Christchurch coincidentally) to be repaired some years back to fix an unfathomable problem that had cost me a lot in replacement parts already.

Worth also pointing out that my boost/fuel examples above were examples only, you'd need to look at a lot more live data, possibly with an expert eye, to cover most/all possibilities. On that note, if you needed to throw money at it, it might be worth finding a local N54 dyno tuner (not just a mapper), to actually run the thing to failure on their dyno, whilst logging all of the data so that it can be interrogated. I can't see that costing you much less than $1k though, possibly more.

Edit: I'll ask the idiot question: you're running it on 98 exclusively right?

Yes, I contacted Ray recently, he suggest a local BMW agent to take it to.

First fuel up was in Hamilton with Gull. Called Ray re check light on way home, he advised Gull fuel was not flash and could have caused the check, it has been run on BP 98 or NPD 100 since.

[M3AN 4016]

9 minutes ago, gofaster said:

Yes, I contacted Ray recently, he suggest a local BMW agent to take it to.

I think, to preserve your consumer rights, you should follow this advice. I would ask for diagnostic only, and for the results to be shared also with HellBM, and then I would authorise the specialist to discuss the details directly with HellBM (and ensure you're provided with the *complete* dialogue). I'd ask HellBM to cover the cost of the initial diagnosis, it's starting to sound like they may be responsible for the resolution.

Edit: Be warned, you might be expected to return it to the tune you received it in to proceed with any such work. 

Edited October 6, 2022 by M3AN

[gofaster 101]

42 minutes ago, Gaz said:

Would you say it's getting worse? Do you know if the HPFP was replaced? 

Hi Gareth, thanks for responding.

Ray advised he changes fuel pumps on all his conversions.

Behaviour has not really changed since the bigger check code started not long after arriving in ChCh.

One thing I did forget to mention was the car came fitted with a Studie AG tune up box which I removed early on when doing the gaskets. Found a broken wire so probably wasn't doing anything so mated the connectors plugged into the box back to their original factory plugs. Surely I didn't get that wrong.