A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » BMW
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Check engine M60 - Problem / solution



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 3rd 06, 03:18 PM posted to alt.autos.bmw
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Check engine M60 - Problem / solution

Here's one for the archives...

I bought a used E34 540i several years ago. From the time when I bought
the car it would throw check engine codes if I was coasting downhill for
an appreciable time, such as when descending a mountain pass. The
standard stomp test revealed codes related to the lambda control (1221
and 1212).

Since the engine always ran fine, I did not worry about it much to begin
with. But as the years passed the check engine light was more and more
frequent. Recently, the same codes would be thrown if I started the car
and allowed it to idle for a few minutes. After a time delay (3 minutes
I think) the ECU tries to go into "closed loop", which is where it takes
feedback from the O2 sensor(s) to adjust the intake mixture. Once the
engine came up to full temp the codes at idle would go away, though the
coasting downhill codes were many.

Conventional wisdom said vacuum leak somewhere on the intake manifold.
Poking around, I could hear some air movement sounds but could not
pinpoint a leak. Because the M60 motors are known to start leaking at
the intake manifold seals, I bought all the required parts (online) and
planned to do an intake manifold reseal.

The job was not a particularly easy one, but not that hard either.
Mostly just time consuming... The worst part was cleaning all the gook
from the manifold and the intake ports without getting crap inside the
engine. Needless to say, 6 hours, $100 in parts (gaskets and a PCV
plate) and a whole bunch of nitrile gloves and paper towels later, the
problem is now resolved.

A few interesting side notes: Now, with my completely resealed,
code-free intake, I still hear a hissing noise all around the intake
manifold with the soundproof and cowling off. I think it is/was just
normal injector and intake noise and is part of the reason the BMW
engineers put the soundproofing on there to begin with. So, I probably
could not hear the leak to begin with.

Also, when reassembling the throttle and pcv plates to the manifold
(with new seals), do yourself a favor and go buy 13 new allen head
cap-screws (metric 6mm) and heave those stinking, soft, BMW torq-head
screws as far as you can.

Next project, tackling the "lifetime fill" transmission... before it is
too late.

--
-Fred W
Ads
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6 Dr. David Zatz Chrysler 5 June 24th 05 05:27 AM
rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6 Dr. David Zatz Chrysler 5 June 8th 05 05:28 AM
rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6 Dr. David Zatz Chrysler 5 May 24th 05 05:27 AM
rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6 Dr. David Zatz Chrysler 4 February 2nd 05 06:22 AM
rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6 Dr. David Zatz Chrysler 10 November 1st 04 06:24 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:51 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.