A three year old on-going issue. Please help.

autoque · 11-23-2012, 10:41 AM

My vehicle is a '08 X5 3.0si with 13,000 miles.

I've got a warm start rough idle which lasts one to two minutes after the ignition. If I put the gear in D and brake only enough to slowly crawl forward(or back) when the engine is running rough, the power delivery feels erratic, as if the engine is pulsating or oscillating. When the engine's cold (like in the morning) it starts and drives fine.

This started right after replacing the cylinder head under warranty for a tapping noise, a well known issue in the N52 engine. The dealer changed the spark plugs, coils, MAF, coolant temperature sensor and cleaned various parts, tuned up the timing of the valves, disassembled and reassembled, the symptom got a little better, but never disappeared. The diagnostic device tells nothing's wrong and no code is stored.

The dealer says they've never seen a similar case and pretty much given up.

Does anyone know what might be happening with the engine?

DSC_OFF · 11-23-2012, 12:04 PM

Maybe the intake solenoid need to be cleaned out (also a wide known "issue" on these motors)? Originally dealer fix was to replace the piece but turns out you can use shop air to clean it out. Just remember to buy new o-ring seals.

SD Z4MR · 11-23-2012, 03:47 PM

Do you realize that you posted your problem with your X5 in an E85 Z4 forum? You might find better results posting in an X5 forum.

DSC_OFF · 11-23-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Z4MR

Do you realize that you posted your problem with your X5 in an E85 Z4 forum? You might find better results posting in an X5 forum.

I figured after 3 years OP was so desperate he posted on any platform that was linked to the n52

Endless619 · 11-23-2012, 09:23 PM

Never heard of this at all.

Alexander · 11-24-2012, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

I figured after 3 years OP was so desperate he posted on any platform that was linked to the n52

Agreed.

Clean all intake plumbing. Replace fuel filter.

autoque · 11-24-2012, 03:12 AM

Thank you Z members!

Yeah, I thought the issue was engine specific and N52 was used across the BMW lineup so I created a thread here in a final desperate move.

DSC_OFF,
actually the vehicle threw an error code a month ago indicating a one time misbehavior of the Vanos solenoid valve, which was replaced rather than cleaned and used again in hopes of fixing the original issue, but to no avail.

Alexander,
the vehicle drives normally when it's cold or after the two minute period from a warm start. If the intake/fuel filter were bad, wouldn't the vehicle behave the same in all situations?

BDO · 11-24-2012, 06:48 AM

Change the injectors.

autoque · 11-24-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDO

Change the injectors.

I thought about it but then again, the symptom is only shown under the specific circumstances I described above, so I'm not sure if the injectors are the culprit here.

11-23-2012, 10:41 AM	#1
autoque Private Drives: '08 X5 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Outside NA Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	A three year old on-going issue. Please help. My vehicle is a '08 X5 3.0si with 13,000 miles. I've got a warm start rough idle which lasts one to two minutes after the ignition. If I put the gear in D and brake only enough to slowly crawl forward(or back) when the engine is running rough, the power delivery feels erratic, as if the engine is pulsating or oscillating. When the engine's cold (like in the morning) it starts and drives fine. This started right after replacing the cylinder head under warranty for a tapping noise, a well known issue in the N52 engine. The dealer changed the spark plugs, coils, MAF, coolant temperature sensor and cleaned various parts, tuned up the timing of the valves, disassembled and reassembled, the symptom got a little better, but never disappeared. The diagnostic device tells nothing's wrong and no code is stored. The dealer says they've never seen a similar case and pretty much given up. Does anyone know what might be happening with the engine?
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11-23-2012, 12:04 PM	#2
DSC_OFF Major General Drives: flat out Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NNJ Posts: 5,630 iTrader: (30) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si c ... [4.62]	Maybe the intake solenoid need to be cleaned out (also a wide known "issue" on these motors)? Originally dealer fix was to replace the piece but turns out you can use shop air to clean it out. Just remember to buy new o-ring seals. __________________ Recaro \| AST \| Vorshlag \| Quaife \| Stoptech \| Volks \| Autosolutions \| BMW Performance Click here for my track videos

11-23-2012, 03:47 PM	#3
SD Z4MR (formerly SD 335is) Drives: '06 Z4 M Rdstr \| '11 335is E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 489 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335is Coupe [0.00] 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [4.50]	Do you realize that you posted your problem with your X5 in an E85 Z4 forum? You might find better results posting in an X5 forum. __________________ Mine: 2006 Z4 Roadster \| Interlagos Blue Metallic \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Premium \| Navigation \| Heated Seats \| iPod Adapter \| Purchased 7/19/12 Hers: 2011 335is Coupe \| Le Mans Blue Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| Dark Glacier Aluminum \| 6MT \| Premium \| Convenience \| Heated Seats \| Navigation \| Harmon Kardon \| iPod/USB \| European Delivery 5/12/11

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11-23-2012, 09:23 PM	#5
Endless619 DHS Drives: bmw x5, m3, Acura TL Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: California/Maine/Oregon Posts: 2,566 iTrader: (11)	Never heard of this at all.

11-24-2012, 03:12 AM	#7
autoque Private Drives: '08 X5 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Outside NA Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Thank you Z members! Yeah, I thought the issue was engine specific and N52 was used across the BMW lineup so I created a thread here in a final desperate move. DSC_OFF, actually the vehicle threw an error code a month ago indicating a one time misbehavior of the Vanos solenoid valve, which was replaced rather than cleaned and used again in hopes of fixing the original issue, but to no avail. Alexander, the vehicle drives normally when it's cold or after the two minute period from a warm start. If the intake/fuel filter were bad, wouldn't the vehicle behave the same in all situations?

11-24-2012, 06:48 AM	#8
BDO Enlisted Member Drives: Z4M Roadster /E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Citizen of the World Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	Change the injectors.