N52 Engine Sludge: Opinions Needed

playground · 03-23-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

At 80,000 miles, I wonder if the engine air filter has ever been changed. The first change interval per BMWs schedule is around 45K - 50K miles (every 3rd BMW OCI oil change). Being that it is CPO at 45K, I wonder if the CPO inspectors (cough-cough-BS) missed replacing the air filter.

At 80,000 miles I would be replacing everything. Plugs, filters and oils.
If you go any longer, the more sluggish the car will be.

Efthreeoh · 03-23-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playground

At 80,000 miles I would be replacing everything. Plugs, filters and oils.
If you go any longer, the more sluggish the car will be.

Well, the OP is changing the oil at half the recommended BMW OCI, and if a high-quality oil and filter is used, I'd highly doubt the engine has any sludge in it. I'd bet 90% of the owners here have not read the section of the service manual that explains the engine air filter change interval. Throw in most people here change the engine oil early and the issue get more confusing. The plugs on an N52 easily go 100,000 miles (I've changed mine twice at near that interval - at about 95K each time).

The OP might also think about cleaning the VANOS solenoids too. I clean mine every 50,000 miles or so.

If it were me I'd add some gas treatment, drive the car really aggressively (redline shifts and high speed highway driving) for a while, then I'd hook up a good OBDII reader that has engine data recording capability and get some engine running data and analyze it. I'd get a N52 "Tune up" kit from Tischer - Plugs, filters - oil, air and cabin, OEM oil, change all that, clean the VANOS solenoids, and see if it runs any better. Or leave the oil change out, do all the other stuff, run it see how it runs, and if still not satisfactory, have an Indy shop clean the intake system using the BG Products intake cleaning process. Then see how it runs. Then do the oil change.

sle39lvr · 03-23-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

At 80,000 miles, I wonder if the engine air filter has ever been changed. The first change interval per BMWs schedule is around 45K - 50K miles (every 3rd BMW OCI oil change). Being that it is CPO at 45K, I wonder if the CPO inspectors (cough-cough-BS) missed replacing the air filter.

I put a new one in as soon as I got the car. I think I did a good job eliminating all other simple variables. I think I want to invest in a Bavarian Technic Tool. All the adaptation resets it allows you to do, I think will try them.

6MT_Addict · 03-23-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

I did this after got off work and drove home but not sure if there is a diffrrence in trotle response i notice so far. I almost want to say yes but not sure. Whats the easiest eay to tell?

Yeah, as has been stated it was probably already adapted then. When I did mine I noticed an instant difference, it felt like taking the slack out of a throttle cable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

I put a new one in as soon as I got the car. I think I did a good job eliminating all other simple variables. I think I want to invest in a Bavarian Technic Tool. All the adaptation resets it allows you to do, I think will try them.

Have you done the charcoal filter delete mod? If not that could be contributing, its probably pretty dirty after 80 000

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+filter+delete

jc5988 · 03-23-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

This sounds very interesting. Where can I get more info on this? What is this OFFICIALLY called?

you can try research on "dme adaptation" or just "adaptation" tons of info relate to it.

Efthreeoh · 03-23-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

I put a new one in as soon as I got the car. I think I did a good job eliminating all other simple variables. I think I want to invest in a Bavarian Technic Tool. All the adaptation resets it allows you to do, I think will try them.

Try cleaning the VANOS solenoids, it may help the most.

sle39lvr · 03-24-2013, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinz

Yeah, as has been stated it was probably already adapted then. When I did mine I noticed an instant difference, it felt like taking the slack out of a throttle cable.

Have you done the charcoal filter delete mod? If not that could be contributing, its probably pretty dirty after 80 000

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+filter+delete

I already did this

sle39lvr · 03-24-2013, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Try cleaning the VANOS solenoids, it may help the most.

I was looking in to this. Do you have a link to a decent DIY on this?

Efthreeoh · 03-24-2013, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

I was looking in to this. Do you have a link to a decent DIY on this?

Did you even bother to look in the DIY section? It's pretty easy to find...

sle39lvr · 04-09-2013, 09:15 PM

Thanks for the useful replies.

So after this thread, I deiced to buy the BT Tool. Went through all the adaptation resets, let's see what happens.

Talking about Vanos sensor: I found this code that came up few hundred miles ago:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826394

About 30K miles ago, I got the same code WITH ENGINE LIGHT and the dealer cleaned the vanos. I guess I will wait and see if the same code comes up again, and then just replace the sensor? ECS has it for $120 or so.

04-09-2013, 09:15 PM	#32
sle39lvr Captain 125 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	Thanks for the useful replies. So after this thread, I deiced to buy the BT Tool. Went through all the adaptation resets, let's see what happens. Talking about Vanos sensor: I found this code that came up few hundred miles ago: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826394 About 30K miles ago, I got the same code WITH ENGINE LIGHT and the dealer cleaned the vanos. I guess I will wait and see if the same code comes up again, and then just replace the sensor? ECS has it for $120 or so.
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