2008 535iT 100k miles, N54 Engine

[RED89E34]

Hello All!

I am a advocate E34 enthusiast but I am helping a friend fix their beautiful 08' 535i twin turbo ultimate driving machine! I rebuilt my 3.5 engine to be turbo charged a few months ago and am anticipating the additional parts that are coming. :) I have master experience with Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover vehicles too. The only BMW engine I am very familiar with is the 4.4 liter engine in the 03-05 Range Rovers.

Back to my question.

100k miles and not to much known about previous history or service bulletins, recalls but upon start up the exhaust bellows heavy thick smoke. Smoke is burnt oil. I have seen this on the naturally aspirated 4.4 engine due to collapsed, broken vacuum lines leading to the intake manifold and oil separator component plus the CCV unit. The N54 engine however I am not too familiar with. Only DTC codes pulled using a generic scan tool were P0124,(throttle position sensor circuit), P01C1, and P0380 which are both manufacturer specific codes.

So far I have taken off the induction tubing to get at the Throttle body. Oil is in the intake tubing but all vacuum lines are okay. I noticed a bit of oil seepage at the rearward turbo oil return pipe. Rear main seal is leaking also.

I would like to know if anyone has had this exact issue with their 535iT. Any and all insight and guidance is greatly appreciated.

Best,


Scott

[RED89E34]

Update:

I found some insight on the N54 engine from n54tech.com

Focusing on Crank Case Ventilation. Area will be valve cover assembly and PCV valve.

Pictures, Diagnosis and explanation to follow.

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486342

[Boland01]

Appreciate they future updates in advance.

[RED89E34]

After my research of the N54 engine and talking with Rob of rbturbo.com I will be replacing the PCV valve and tube. After installation I will check operation and will follow up.

rbturbo.com has replacement and upgrade parts for the N54 engine. I even spoke with Rob over the phone and he gave me lots of insight.

N54tech.com is also another great source for N54 engine issues/fixes.

I will complete the task once parts arrive.

[RED89E34]

Update:

Replaced valve cover CCV valve and check valve piping.
The CCV valve was original and gummed up inside. When shaking no rattling was heard. The check valve piping was okay but replaced anyway.

The car sat for 2-3 weeks. After connecting the battery again and initializing vehicle I started it up. In less than a minute white smoke started to come out of the Left side tailpipe tip. The white smoke has a sharp smell to it. Not like oil burning which is thick and well...oil based, but similar to a "chemical wash" smell.

The engine did start to run rough and would not be allowed to go into any gear but park.

I read codes and here are what is stored in vehicle computers
/ P01c1
/ P0001 fuel volume control circuit open
/ P2430 - Secondary air injection
/ C0420
/ P1720 - CAN Timeout/Trans ECU
/ P3010 Fuel cooling pump(audi definition)
/ P3030 - bat. disconnect between ecu and bat.
/ P0030 - O2 sensor heater control bank 1 sensor 1
/ P0442 - small evap leak
/ P0172 - rich
/ P0301(2)(4) misfires
/ p0300 random misfire
/ P0420(430) cat efficiency (With my experience with Land Rover and jaguar, we would replace cats by default and this resolved this code, anyone have insight?)


The main focus will be figuring out the dealer specific codes, following the fuel system codes, and misfires.

I have yet to replace the spark plugs which have 100k miles on them. Once I have my custom tool for removing spark plugs made I will replace and continue diagnosing and repairs.

Checking with BMW about Recalls and checking components HPFP, Fuel Injectors, Spark Plugs to resolve white smoke issue.

[meangreen94z]

Sounds like you have a faulty fuel injector.(Based on white smoke/misfires) Remove the spark plugs and typically the plug on the faulty cylinder will be wet with fuel. There are updated injectors that have to be replaced as a bank set due to tolerance changes. They will have to be calibrated afterwards as well.

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Spark plugs are due every 45k miles on the N54 btw. Replace any fuel contaminated spark plugs and perform an oil change after the repair. The o2 sensor is likely faulty for the heater circuit fault. You may need a CAT for the efficiency fault but I would fix the injector issue first and see if the fault returns.

[RED89E34]

Thanks MeanGreen.

I contacted BMW and the HPFP was replaced in Jan.2013.

I can get injectors new from Shaun at Irvine BMW no problem at great prices. I can install no problem. Is "alignment" or "calibrating of injectors" necessary? Unfortunately, the Irvine BMW service manager does not want to offer just the calibration portion separately. They quoted me 500 to install injectors and calibrate.

If any SoCal guys know of a BMW dealership willing to just calibrate injectors please let me know and I will send the car there. :)


I hope the O2 and Cats are okay! I don't even want to know how much cats are! :)