2004 545i has rough idle after changing timing chain and guides

[Steelfox]

So I bought an 04 545i last year that had all the timing covers off from a timing job in process that he didn't have the time to fix it so I took over the project. I finally got everything back together and am getting a rough idle. With the throttle open it runs properly. I just am looking for advice on where to start troubleshooting.

Here's the codes it's giving me.
P0201: Cylinder injector "A" circuit
P0024: "B" camshaft postion - timing over-advanced or system performance bank 2
P0014: "B" camshaft postion - timing over-advanced or system performance bank 1
P0301: Cylinder 1 misfire detected
P0011: "A" camshaft postion - timing over-advanced or system performance bank 1
P0021: "A" camshaft postion - timing over-advanced or system performance bank 2


New to the BMW world and hopefully I can get this car back on the road where it belongs.

[H3adBussa]

Everything aside from the injector code leads me to believe the timing is off. Check the injector connectors to be sure they are secure.

Did you do the timing procedure, remove all tools and spin the engine a few times then recheck the timing?



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Steelfox]

Everything aside from the injector code leads me to believe the timing is off. Check the injector connectors to be sure they are secure.

Did you do the timing procedure, remove all tools and spin the engine a few times then recheck the timing?



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using TapatalkYes I did it all by the book. Is it possible it is the vanos solenoids or cam sensor instead? Any way I can test the parts instead of just replacing parts?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[White94RX]

It definitely reads to me like the timing is off. Maybe you have the VANOS solenoid connectors swapped?

[Steelfox]

I believe the connectors are in the right one. Without pulling the solenoid out any way I can test it? Can I just unplug them to see how it runs for a little bit?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190723/38567838135b343b2b789bf79f941832.jpg

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Steelfox]

I believe the connectors are in the right one. Without pulling the solenoid out any way I can test it? Can I just unplug them to see how it runs for a little bit?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190723/38567838135b343b2b789bf79f941832.jpg

Sent from my SM-G930V using TapatalkOther pic didn't upload https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190723/f76f202e57a92e178647ca726c9999eb.jpg

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[H3adBussa]

Yes I did it all by the book. Is it possible it is the vanos solenoids or cam sensor instead? Any way I can test the parts instead of just replacing parts?

Sent from my SM-G930V using TapatalkI'd like to say yes but, I don't know the testing process for your vehicle if there is one. Typically you'd just swap the cam sensor to the other side and see if the code follows but since you're getting codes for both, that's not an option.

As far as the injector code and the cylinder misfire goes. You get those at idle? Have the codes been cleared and they came back? I don't know what circuit A would be for your model but the misfire on cylinder one would be fuel, air or spark. Check those. Do the plugs look ok/are they new? Have you checked for vacuum leaks? A smoke machine is best for that. I got one off Amazon for less than $100. Swap the injector for that cylinder to the other bank and see if the misfire moves with it. Of course you should do each of these tests one at a time and evaluate.

I believe that the vanos solenoids can be recalibrated with a bmw specific scanner. I just did it to my wife's 07 x5. Doesn't take long at all.

What else was wrong with the engine prior to the person trying to do the timing chain guides? I'm still leaning more towards timing.

More involved work that's less likely but must be mentioned: what's the compression like on all cylinders? Do you have the ability to run the tests? If so, do you have the tools to do a leak down test too? When people feel they need to change timing chain guides it's typically after something has brought the car to its knees. So I'm looking for possible consequences of guides breaking and chain jumping. Which of course, is worse case scenario.

The 04 545 has an N62 engine? It's an 8 cylinder right? Sorry, I have the E39 540i so I want to know a bit more about your engine so I can try to understand things better.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[White94RX]

There is no calibration for VANOS solenoids. There's nothing to calibrate. They are simply a solenoid that directs oil pressure to the VANOS gears when they are activated.

[H3adBussa]

There is no calibration for VANOS solenoids. There's nothing to calibrate. They are simply a solenoid that directs oil pressure to the VANOS gears when they are activated.I'd have to take a look at the scanner connected to her car. It was a re-adaptation for them to be more specific.

I'm positive that it reset the start and end stops of the solenoids though. Maybe it's just on the newer cars (2006+)as the video I linked indicates. Not saying this guy is a pro and knows everything, but it's the first video I found talking about what I was saying about calibration.
https://youtu.be/FLGmBFlddXk

This is an article that also states vanos solenoid adaptations can be reset. May also help the OP test them. https://us.autologic.com/news/bmw-vanos-system-fault-testing-and-diagnosing


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[White94RX]

I'm not taking the time to watch any videos or read any other articles. There's always a chance I'm wrong, but in 14 years of working professionally at a BMW dealership, I have NEVER, not one single time, "calibrated" a VANOS solenoid. I have timed and rebuilt more engines than I could ever count. At the most, I reset adaptations after retiming an engine. I never run any calibration, or even valvetronic end stop relearn.

[Steelfox]

Alright sorry I never responded this thing basically defeated me and I decided to just let it sit in a garage until I was ready to work on it again. Before winter came I went ahead and brought it to a bmw shop and had them do an in depth diagnostic here's what they said. " Tech Report Fault for injector was found to be connector not fully seated cylinder 1 (Whoops).
Following codes stored in engine
27BB Camshaft control outlet
27BC Camshaft control outlet bank 2
2731 Camshaft control inlet
2732 Intake control bank 2

All codes indicate issues with camshaft timing and control.
I removed the engine cowl to access the DME to test for camshaft sensor signal to the DME. I found that the DME is receiving good signal from all four camshaft sensors. Tested wiring from DME to camshaft solenoids for broken opens and shorts and all wires from solenoids to the DME are in good condition. I reset the VANOS adaptives and test drove again. The codes reset within a short time of driving. To go further engine will have to be disassembled and timing tools installed to check engine base timing for correct timing.

Engine rough idling. Found high vacuum in the crankcase. I disconnected the lines to the PCV breather system and engine ran much better. This indicates that the PCV valves have failed in the valve cover and they will need to be replaced. (I replaced both PCV valve breathers when I did timing so not sure why this is the case)

Well I agreed everything seemed like timing was off. Well weather was finally warm here so I went ahead and took off both valve covers and set it to TDC. Low and behold the timing was dead on. The timing tool sat dead flush for both cams on both banks. Pulled spark plug on cylinder one and looks to be in correct position. To my knowledge if I retimed on the opposite rotation it wouldn't even run correct?

I came across a thread https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/99750-fixed-did-bunch-repairs-now-cel-dme-errors-p0021-p0024-misfires.html
So from my understanding it seems like there are different cam sensors. Is this a possible lead to look into.
Should I reinstall valve covers now that I have confirmed correct timing?

Also to my knowledge from previous owner the compression was good for all cylinders aswell.

[Hatch]

Was this ever resolved? I am having the same 4 codes on my 545i. Thanks

[Steelfox]

I have still not figured it out. Its definitely stumped me. When I get a day off my next step is to check that I have the correct cam sensors

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Walterv]

Hello, i have the same problem with a n62 tu.After replacing both valvecovers failure 27bb and 2731.Only the plugs of valvetronic and camshaft sensors have been loose.Nothing else.