"Service Engine Soon" Light?

Skywagon · 06-12-2009, 07:21 PM

OK, I'm sure this will cause a chuckle with some of you. Regardless, I've done a Catalytic Converter delete on a 2009 328i E90 sedan. The HP gain was good, 14. However, despite being told by the techs the pesky light could be handled, it is on. First tried spacers on the probes just aft of where the cats used to be, I removed the the two forward ones near the engine block. No luck. Then tried a Riss Racing oxygen simulator. They make an operational one for the 335i's but the 328i's is still in development. It failed to work as well and Riss Racing really has no ideas on how to correct my problem since they can't get anyone to lend them a 328i for research. Now before you dismiss my silly little problem please remember that if and when someone finally produces some headers for the 09 328i's they will confront the same problem I'm now enjoying. Below are links to several pictures. BMW should be ashamed of themselves for making a beautiful engine and then choking it to death with the exhaust manifolds that belong on a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine and then stuffing a cat right on top of it. The browner plumbing is where the cat used to be.
Any ideas greatly appreciated, thanks.

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/CIMG1294.jpg
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/CIMG1283.jpg
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/CIMG1291.jpg

nomile · 06-15-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywagon

BMW should be ashamed of themselves for making a beautiful engine and then choking it to death with the exhaust manifolds that belong on a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine and then stuffing a cat right on top of it.

I'm sure the EPA has nothing to do with this at all

Skywagon · 06-16-2009, 07:26 AM

Nomile,
There is no doubt that the EPA wields a very large hammer. However, BMW does the engineering. Yes, costs also play a tremendous role. Regardless, the engine is being choked.

Andrew@ET · 06-16-2009, 01:38 PM

you got 14 whp from a cat delete? any dyno to prove this?

Skywagon · 06-16-2009, 03:13 PM

I'm going to start leaning on a local shop as hard as I dare to build some headers. I don't know what year your vehicle is but no one, repeat, no one makes headers for 2009 328i's. Regardless, cat delete or headers one must get rid of the "Service Engine Soon" light if one wants an ECU flash to work properly. Below is a link to the dyno run and also a link to LET Motor sports. They are attempting to find the codes to extinguish the light for me.

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q..._photos/ed.jpg
http://www.letmotorsports.com/BMW-32...8&category=all

dro325 · 06-19-2009, 01:41 PM

Are you getting the "Service Engine Soon" because of the O2 sensor? Have you thought about a dummy O2 sensor?

Skywagon · 06-19-2009, 02:08 PM

Der,
I'm uncertain I know what you mean by a "dummy" O2 sensor. I have an untested, and obviously, non functioning O2 simulator wired into the ECU. It's made by Riss Racing and they make a successful one for the 335i's.
Thanks

dro325 · 06-19-2009, 02:35 PM

Dummy sensor is the same as the O2 simulator, Tricks ECU to believe is within parameters. Have you try to see what codes you are getting?

Skywagon · 06-20-2009, 06:48 AM

I'm uncertain of the code numbers but they have been re-set twice. I'm told by LET that Riss Racing is working on a new and different O2 simulator.

06-12-2009, 07:21 PM	#1
Skywagon Private First Class 15 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X6 3.5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Old South iTrader: (0)	"Service Engine Soon" Light? OK, I'm sure this will cause a chuckle with some of you. Regardless, I've done a Catalytic Converter delete on a 2009 328i E90 sedan. The HP gain was good, 14. However, despite being told by the techs the pesky light could be handled, it is on. First tried spacers on the probes just aft of where the cats used to be, I removed the the two forward ones near the engine block. No luck. Then tried a Riss Racing oxygen simulator. They make an operational one for the 335i's but the 328i's is still in development. It failed to work as well and Riss Racing really has no ideas on how to correct my problem since they can't get anyone to lend them a 328i for research. Now before you dismiss my silly little problem please remember that if and when someone finally produces some headers for the 09 328i's they will confront the same problem I'm now enjoying. Below are links to several pictures. BMW should be ashamed of themselves for making a beautiful engine and then choking it to death with the exhaust manifolds that belong on a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine and then stuffing a cat right on top of it. The browner plumbing is where the cat used to be. Any ideas greatly appreciated, thanks. http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/CIMG1294.jpg http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/CIMG1283.jpg http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/CIMG1291.jpg
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-16-2009, 07:26 AM	#3
Skywagon Private First Class 15 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X6 3.5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Old South iTrader: (0)	Nomile, There is no doubt that the EPA wields a very large hammer. However, BMW does the engineering. Yes, costs also play a tremendous role. Regardless, the engine is being choked.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2009, 01:38 PM	#4
Andrew@ET Brigadier General 181 Rep 4,038 Posts Drives: Red thing Join Date: May 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (9)	you got 14 whp from a cat delete? any dyno to prove this?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2009, 03:13 PM	#5
Skywagon Private First Class 15 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X6 3.5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Old South iTrader: (0)	I'm going to start leaning on a local shop as hard as I dare to build some headers. I don't know what year your vehicle is but no one, repeat, no one makes headers for 2009 328i's. Regardless, cat delete or headers one must get rid of the "Service Engine Soon" light if one wants an ECU flash to work properly. Below is a link to the dyno run and also a link to LET Motor sports. They are attempting to find the codes to extinguish the light for me. http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q..._photos/ed.jpg http://www.letmotorsports.com/BMW-32...8&category=all
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2009, 01:41 PM	#6
dro325 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 06' E90 Sport Pkg Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Are you getting the "Service Engine Soon" because of the O2 sensor? Have you thought about a dummy O2 sensor? __________________ Jet Black, 35% tint, Stock
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2009, 02:08 PM	#7
Skywagon Private First Class 15 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X6 3.5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Old South iTrader: (0)	Der, I'm uncertain I know what you mean by a "dummy" O2 sensor. I have an untested, and obviously, non functioning O2 simulator wired into the ECU. It's made by Riss Racing and they make a successful one for the 335i's. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2009, 02:35 PM	#8
dro325 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 06' E90 Sport Pkg Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Dummy sensor is the same as the O2 simulator, Tricks ECU to believe is within parameters. Have you try to see what codes you are getting? __________________ Jet Black, 35% tint, Stock
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2009, 06:48 AM	#9
Skywagon Private First Class 15 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X6 3.5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Old South iTrader: (0)	I'm uncertain of the code numbers but they have been re-set twice. I'm told by LET that Riss Racing is working on a new and different O2 simulator.
	Appreciate 0 Quote