The 2020 saga of my 2008 E93

[graylens]

Hello everyone, I'm having issues with my 2008 E93 that is testing the limits of my patience:

On April 6, 2020 at 92562 miles, I was getting problem codes P2B2C and P29F2. Looked up on forums here & elsewhere, looked like it was the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP). I replaced it with an OSIAS fuel pump from Amazon with a 3-year warranty here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K7G9R35. Before I get the inevitable "you should have gone with the BMW OEM" comments, they're not helpful right now, and I can get a free replacement if this is still the fail part.

At 94176 miles on July 15th, she threw codes P0306, P0303, and P0300, but was able to limp home. These are misfires in cylinders 6 and 3. Ordered replacement coil packs and spark plugs from FCP Euro, and found out my standard spark plug removal plug was not thin enough. While I was waiting for the socket to arrive, I just replaced the coil packs and the issue/codes went away. Replaced the spark plugs anyways when my ATLIN Thin Wall Spark Plug Socket 12pt/14mm arrived with Bosch ZGR6STE2 plugs. Car ran buttery smooth until...

At 94407 miles on August 10th, I noticed a small coolant leak near the upper radiator hose. Yes, it was the classic crack at the upper radiator hose plastic connection. I tried JB Weld first, but ended up replacing the radiator. Really enjoyed doing that in the 114 F days Phoenix was going through at the time!

Just when I thought I was out of the swamp, I'm out enjoying the car at 95005 miles after the substantial work I've put into it, and it throws codes P142E and P302C, and I get the reduced power/half engine light. If I let it cool down and clear the code, she will run fine until I'm at full operating temperature and going up an incline, such as a freeway exit, then she'll throw one of those two codes. After throwing the code the car does not run extremely rough like it did when the HPFP went out in April, but it's definitely not it's normal accelerating self.

It's been less than 2500 miles since replacing the HPFP, did I miss an underlying problem? Why does the car need to be warm to cause the HPFP problem? Someone please help me before I swear off BMW's forever...

[jclausen]

These are highly complex cars and depending what is wrong a cold or warm engine is information for diagnostics at this point it might be advisable to have a shop look at it

[JDStrickland]

What engine?
Also, are you giving OBD2 Codes, P0300, P0302, and P0306, and codes from a BMW diagnostic package?

I do not know, but I only see the HPFP in reference to the N54 engine, the N52/N51 get a standard pressure pump. And, you cannot replace the N51 fuel pump separately.

[White94RX]

You've posted a lot of codes, but no accompanying descriptions. Always post the description if you post the code. I don't have codes memorized, nor do I ever plan to. The more information available, the better. And if those are generic OBDII codes, then you really need a BMW specific scan tool that gives BMW codes and BMW descriptions. There really is a difference.

[graylens]

This is the N54 engine, on a 2008 E93 BMW 335i hard top convertible as described in the title.

The P0300, 0302, 0306 problem codes were resolved by changing the coil packs, and were included only if this pointed to a related problem, such as, is the low pressure fuel pump or fuel filter involved in this somehow?

All codes were read with my Autel MaxDiag Elite, with BMW-specific catalog loaded, but to add the descriptions:

P2B2C: High Pressure Fuel, cold start
P29F2: High Pressure Fuel system, fuel pressure

P142E: Low Pressure in High Pressure system - injection disabled to protect catalytic converter
P302C: High Pressure fuel system, fuel pressure, pressure falls below minimum threshold

[White94RX]

Looks to me like that high pressure pump is trashed. I wouldn’t use anything but an OEM pump, but that’s just me. You see what you get when you go cheap.


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[JDStrickland]

This is the N54 engine, E93.


All codes were read with my Autel MaxDiag Elite, with BMW-specific catalog loaded, but to add the descriptions:

P2B2C: High Pressure Fuel, cold start
P29F2: High Pressure Fuel system, fuel pressure

P142E: Low Pressure in High Pressure system - injection disabled to protect catalytic converter
P302C: High Pressure fuel system, fuel pressure, pressure falls below minimum threshold

All of these codes say that the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) is failing, or has failed. Also, the P03nn generic OBD II codes could be the result of poor fuel delivery that resulted in a misfire. Replacing the coils may or may not be a cure. I do not know what the fuel pressure should be, but it's obvious that a turbo should call for more fuel than a naturally aspired engine would need.

There has been a class action lawsuit for the turbos and the HPFP that you should look into to see if you are affected. Google it. I recently bought an '08 E93 and was considering the 335, but passed on it when I started reading about the class action and the fact that my brother-in-law with a 535 was having turbo troubles. I'm an old guy, and I'm happy with the 328 (N52).

[graylens]

Had I known about FCP Euro when I replaced the pump in April, I would have gone that way. However, a new pump from OSIAS is heading my way via FedEx, I should install the HPFP (again) this weekend. I'll let you all know how it goes. No one thinks it's suspicious that the most recent set of codes is completely different than the ones in April? No one thinks the low pressure fuel pump under the back seat has failed?

In any case, thank you for all the help thus far!

[KodyP]

I was having issues with my HPFP too and replaced it with an Osias one from eBay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/173906236121


Unfortunately, the pump failed after about 3 months. The seller is not even replying to my messages. No chance of getting a refund from eBay because it's past 30 days.


Bit the bullet and bought a genuine one and the car is running fine now.