Need help. My X5 running really rough after valve cover gasket replacement.

[jfclk33]

First off, my vehicle is a 2001 X5 4.4i with 125k miles on it.

As the title says, I just replaced the valve cover gaskets this past weekend. I didn't start up the vehicle until Monday evening, and when I did it was running terrible and the SES light was flashing at me.

I plugged in the computer at this point to read the codes (I have INPA set up on my computer), and there were 7 codes.

The codes were as follows:
141 engine output fan
53 misfire cyl 8
54 misfire cyl 6
51 misfire cyl 5
154 EV5 from cyl 6
151 EV2 from cyl 5
62 misfire detection, sum error

I read on another site that the 151 and 154 codes are "fuel injector activation" codes. If those codes (151 + 154) are set, does that mean that the injectors definitely didn't fire, or can something else cause that code?

I've also checked to make sure that all the sensors are plugged back in and I don't see any vacuum lines or anything else loose or cracked either.

Since those misfires are all in one bank, I tried switching out the 4 coil packs from one side with the other 4 to try to rule out the coil packs. After switching those, the problem stayed the same.

As far as the coil packs go, I have a question. I noticed when switching them, that they all "popped" when coming off except one, (cyl 4). Since that one didn't "pop", does that indicate a problem, or is it ok?

Anyway, I was wondering what else I could test without throwing parts at it? Or maybe with those codes, one of the experts here can tell me what I need to replace. Thanks for any help. It is much appreciated.


Jeff

[mhunter29928]

Sounds like you didn't get the connectors on the injectors all the way. Make sure the black plastic boxes on each bank are pushed down on the fuel injectors. Been there, done that.

[rynburns]

Check anything vacuum related that you could have bumped or disconnected..

[jfclk33]

Sounds like you didn't get the connectors on the injectors all the way. Make sure the black plastic boxes on each bank are pushed down on the fuel injectors. Been there, done that.

Thanks.I thought about doing that last night, but ran out of time. I'll check it tonight when I get home from work. I was wondering when you go to put that box back on, do you just line up the connectors and press down to snap them in? I was thinking that I might be able to unsnap each connector from the box, connect them to the injectors, and then snap the box down onto the connectors. This way, I would be able to be sure they were properly seated and connected before snapping the box all the way down. Of course, this is assuming that there is enough slack in the wires to even try this. What do you normally do here?

[dworthy]

Also I would run my hand around the valve cover to make sure the gasket is in place properly. Those half-moons in the back are a real PITA to get set, so I would pay close attention to there.

[jfclk33]

OK, I'll check the gasket and any vacuum lines once more. Would that cause all those codes, even the ones relating to the fuel injector activation? Just wondering. Thanks for the input.

[jfclk33]

I got it fixed. Just thought I'd post the solution in case it helps someone else down the road. I'd like to say thanks to mhunter29928, he hit the nail on the head. I didn't have the black box with the fuel injector connectors pushed down all the way. The funny thing is that I looked at those the night before and I would have sworn that they were all the way on there based on how they looked. I appreciate the input from everyone and I'll edit the title to indicate that the problem is solved.

[mhunter29928]

Glad you got it fixed. The fuel injector activation codes were the dead giveaway. Like I said... been there, done that.