Idle issues continue

[754]

Hey all I have an 02 525 wagon, with just over 200,000 miles on it. Recently developed a new issue. A little back story, have been chasing the cause of poor cold weather idling. Have cleaned the IAC, replaced the CCV and all related hoses, new plugs, new coils, new CPS and still no real change. I still have a VANOS oring kit that I have yet to do.

Now on to the new issue. Over the last couple of days I noticed the engine stumbling at low speeds or stopped in traffic, it started as random events. Now it has progressed to prolonged periods sometimes several minutes or it will be shorter if I give it throttle (as if pulling away from a stop). When the engine gets to shaking the whole car moves. No engine speed changes noted on the tach, no SES light, it just shakes. When it occurs it seems to make the DISA act up as well. Disconnected the DISA temporally to see if it may be going bad, but that no change on the car.

I worked on cars for a lot years and this one has me stumped and that's saying something (doesn't happen to me that often). Could this issue still be related to the VANOS drive or am I missing something else. I have diagnostic software ordered, it's just not here yet. I'm still learning as I go, BMW's are proving to be challenge.

Thanks.

[edjack]

Go here and compare your symptoms: www.beisansystems.com

[MIKYZZ4]

A scan for codes may help narrow your search.
Sometimes helps to prevent a lot of guessing, tail chasing!
I see you have diagnostics on order and that's great.
If you're near to a local AutoZone or such store, a free scan from their generic scan tool can sometimes help.

[mpo]

Just as a Hail-Mary try unplugging the MAF and see if it improves.

[754]

I just wanted to bring this topic back to the top to help others who may have the same issues I had. This past week I was finally able to replace the seals in the VANOS drive. It was much needed as all of the rubber seals were rock hard and I'm sure that the VANOS had not functioned properly in years. After getting everything back together and the new VCG on as well, I fired it up and noticed an immediate improvement in idle, it held 800-900RPM and did not drop like it had been doing. There was just a little bit of shake in the motor, I'll keep looking for it. I also noticed an improvement in the engines throttle response, and overall driveability. I'm so happy I finally got to do this DIY, which I must say was much easier than I thought it was going to be.

[edjack]

Congrats! And thanks for the feedback.

The degradation is slow enough that one does not notice it until the symptoms are really bad.

Hope you used Beisan seals. I've read that it takes some time to "seat" the seals. You may notice more improvement in the near future.

[754]

I actually went with a kit from Bavauto. It contained the seals for the VANOS which had the viton o-rings and good teflon rings, and also had a new valve cover gasket with gromets and sealer. It was a fair price for everything, I bought it back in December and got it for a steal. I recommend this kit to people whom need to do this job.