P0012 and P0015 codes

[master4200]

I'm a fairly new owner to a 2006 BMW 325i. I changed the oil and the oil filter when I first got the car about 6 weeks ago but I put 5W-30 Quaker State fully synthetic oil not realizing the specs for BMW oil. About a day or two after I had the oil changed, I got p0012 code with the yellow check engine light. The check engine light stayed for about a day then disappeared for a day or so and then came back. So I did some research and found 0that it's most likely the vanos solenoids that caused it. So I cleaned the solenoids and put them back in. The check engine light went off for about 5 days then came back on. So I thought the solenoids need replacing. I changed the oil and oil filter to BMW OEM and replaced the solenoids with those solenoids:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221962086471?...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


The check engine light was off when changed the oil and replaced the solenoids and it stayed off for about a week. Now it came back on and this time it's showing P0012 and P0015 codes. Has anyone been in this situation before? Any ideas what might be causing them?

[shiftmygears]

I have the same problem... if I drive for a long time it goes into limp mode and CEL throws those codes. Took it to dealer, then 2 mechanics... no one could figure it out. Tried cleaning the camshaft sensors too and swapping them

[master4200]

In my case I figured it out and it was actually a simple solution. It turned out that when I changed the oil I also removed the inner element on the oil cap along with the filter so when I put the new oil filter I just put the cap back on with no filter element. I ordered a new oil cap and it should arrive on Monday, so I'll report back once I have it installed.

This is probably a long shot but have you checked you oil cap if it has the inner element that holds the oil filter on it?

[07lilredwagon]

You mean the insert that goes into the filter element?...yes that is very important as the element will collapse eventually (or after driving for long periods of time) reducing your oil pressure. the element may recover a bit overnight, but it will begin to collapse every time you drive it. This actually is not all that uncommon....if you are in any kind of a rush, or not totally familiar with your system you might overlook it.....
Full syn 5/30 (bmw approved spec) oil is fine, btw

JP

[shiftmygears]

Figured out it wasn't, and now the car jerks when between 2500 - 3000 rpm... and if you stay in that range for a while and keep accelerating and getting off the pedal, then CEL comes on with P0015.

[Bimmer328xi]

In my case I figured it out and it was actually a simple solution. It turned out that when I changed the oil I also removed the inner element on the oil cap along with the filter so when I put the new oil filter I just put the cap back on with no filter element. I ordered a new oil cap and it should arrive on Monday, so I'll report back once I have it installed.

This is probably a long shot but have you checked you oil cap if it has the inner element that holds the oil filter on it?

So did it fix the problem after you replaced the oil filter cap?....yes i could not remember if it did have one or not, but i am missing the centerpiece and p0012 and p0015 keep popping up.

[master4200]

Yes that fixed the problem for me. You should replace the oil filler cap if you're missing the centrepiece. This will most likely fix the p0012 and p0015 codes unless something else is wrong.

[07bimmerxi]

I was missing the inner element as well and it cleared my p0012 code when I installed the new filter cap.