E90Post
 


TNT Racewerks
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > N52 Engine Sludge: Opinions Needed



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-22-2013, 02:36 AM   #1
sle39lvr
Captain
124
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: 08 328i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: United States

iTrader: (3)

N52 Engine Sludge: Opinions Needed

I have a 08 328i with around 80K miles. I got this CPO after 45K miles.

I have posted on here few years ago that, compared to similar loaner cars I've driven, my engine feels a little sluggish. Overall it feels like a heavier, lazy car. The biggest let down is lower MPG's. 2-3 mpg's less than the loaner cars from my testing.

I've been doing 7K-10K oil changes and always fill up with Chevron 91 octane.

I know the sludge issue is common on turbo engines, but should I look in to engine sludge? The dealer has a injector clean up service around $300, should I look in to that? Or goto an indie shop to get it cleaned the correct way?
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 02:45 AM   #2
playground
Lieutenant
Hong Kong
32
Rep
473
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: North York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
I have a 08 328i with around 80K miles. I got this CPO after 45K miles.

I have posted on here few years ago that, compared to similar loaner cars I've driven, my engine feels a little sluggish. Overall it feels like a heavier, lazy car. The biggest let down is lower MPG's. 2-3 mpg's less than the loaner cars from my testing.

I've been doing 7K-10K oil changes and always fill up with Chevron 91 octane.

I know the sludge issue is common on turbo engines, but should I look in to engine sludge? The dealer has a injector clean up service around $300, should I look in to that? Or goto an indie shop to get it cleaned the correct way?
I've used this a few times in my N52 before and the car seemed a bit snappier than before.

http://www.solomotoparts.com/Motul-Engine-Clean/

Maybe could help with your issue?
__________________
Become like water my friend.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 10:05 AM   #3
kamek
Brigadier General
United_States
357
Rep
3,447
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Queens, NY

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 BMW 328xi  [8.20]
There's no sludge build up in the N51/N52 like the N54/N55
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 10:31 AM   #4
sle39lvr
Captain
124
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: 08 328i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: United States

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by playground View Post
I've used this a few times in my N52 before and the car seemed a bit snappier than before.

http://www.solomotoparts.com/Motul-Engine-Clean/

Maybe could help with your issue?
I wonder if this has any side-effects on your spark plugs?
What was your procedure to use this?
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 11:53 AM   #5
Volasko
Colonel
Volasko's Avatar
695
Rep
2,595
Posts

Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
You could just need a tune up, new plugs, coils, airfilter etc.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 01:03 PM   #6
jc5988
Captain
Taiwan
91
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2010 328i 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

or maybe try reset adapation on ecu.
__________________
N51- PI - PE - ESS Tuned - SSK - CDV Delete - AFE Header - B12 - Mfactory LSD
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 02:08 PM   #7
GoRomeo
Brigadier General
GoRomeo's Avatar
United_States
869
Rep
3,763
Posts

Drives: 330i, 135i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [9.50]
2006 330i  [6.75]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc5988 View Post
or maybe try reset adapation on ecu.

I havent read on this yet but I wonder how do you do this? I would like to try this and see if any changes in performance.

Thanks
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 02:21 PM   #8
jc5988
Captain
Taiwan
91
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2010 328i 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoRomeo View Post
I havent read on this yet but I wonder how do you do this? I would like to try this and see if any changes in performance.

Thanks
u need tool of some sort, Bavarian technic, or coding cable to do this. i guess sometime ecu might stuck at low grade fuel setting, it might help to bring back the performance but not increase it. Also it might smooth out the throttle and auto tranny.

just something to try without spending big buck if you know some friend has those tools.
__________________
N51- PI - PE - ESS Tuned - SSK - CDV Delete - AFE Header - B12 - Mfactory LSD
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 02:22 PM   #9
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
United_States
2257
Rep
12,546
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, 550i, X3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
Your engine feeling sluggish does not mean there's sludge. Try some gas treamtent like Techron or Redline. What major service have you done recently?
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 02:30 PM   #10
Route 16
I got lei'd
Route 16's Avatar
Philippines
840
Rep
7,593
Posts

Drives: '10 E90 M3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dark Side of the Moon

iTrader: (62)

I did injector clean up with the dealer last year at about 55k miles, it was about the same price $300, MPG rose from 400 miles per tank to 420 miles per tank with the same type of driving habits. But did not notice performance increase, still stock idles. Sluggish could be spark, coils, clear adaptations, maybe a tune up with AA. Try inserting your key, turn on the start/stop button (DO NOT press the brake to turn on the engine) instead press the gas all the way down for 30 seconds, you may or may not hear sounds from the radio head unit area to reset throttle setting. Turn off car, wait a minute or 2 I think, then drive around, warm up, red line it safely for a few miles. See if that works.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 02:36 PM   #11
jc5988
Captain
Taiwan
91
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2010 328i 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Route 16 View Post
I did injector clean up with the dealer last year at about 55k miles, it was about the same price $300, MPG rose from 400 miles per tank to 420 miles per tank with the same type of driving habits. But did not notice performance increase, still stock idles. Sluggish could be spark, coils, clear adaptations, maybe a tune up with AA. Try inserting your key, turn on the start/stop button (DO NOT press the brake to turn on the engine) instead press the gas all the way down for 30 seconds, you may or may not hear sounds from the radio head unit area to reset throttle setting. Turn off car, wait a minute or 2 I think, then drive around, warm up, red line it safely for a few miles. See if that works.
almost forgot u can try reset throttle without tools
__________________
N51- PI - PE - ESS Tuned - SSK - CDV Delete - AFE Header - B12 - Mfactory LSD
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 04:53 PM   #12
sle39lvr
Captain
124
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: 08 328i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: United States

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Route 16 View Post
I did injector clean up with the dealer last year at about 55k miles, it was about the same price $300, MPG rose from 400 miles per tank to 420 miles per tank with the same type of driving habits. But did not notice performance increase, still stock idles. Sluggish could be spark, coils, clear adaptations, maybe a tune up with AA. Try inserting your key, turn on the start/stop button (DO NOT press the brake to turn on the engine) instead press the gas all the way down for 30 seconds, you may or may not hear sounds from the radio head unit area to reset throttle setting. Turn off car, wait a minute or 2 I think, then drive around, warm up, red line it safely for a few miles. See if that works.
I ran BMW Fuel treatment many times. I do like Lucas one quiet a bit where it makes the engine smooth and start nicer.

I tried the tranny reset where first few times it made nice changes, but now when I try it, almost unnoticeable.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 04:54 PM   #13
sle39lvr
Captain
124
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: 08 328i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: United States

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jc5988 View Post
u need tool of some sort, Bavarian technic, or coding cable to do this. i guess sometime ecu might stuck at low grade fuel setting, it might help to bring back the performance but not increase it. Also it might smooth out the throttle and auto tranny.

just something to try without spending big buck if you know some friend has those tools.
This sounds very interesting. Where can I get more info on this? What is this OFFICIALLY called?
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 05:08 PM   #14
GoRomeo
Brigadier General
GoRomeo's Avatar
United_States
869
Rep
3,763
Posts

Drives: 330i, 135i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [9.50]
2006 330i  [6.75]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Route 16 View Post
I did injector clean up with the dealer last year at about 55k miles, it was about the same price $300, MPG rose from 400 miles per tank to 420 miles per tank with the same type of driving habits. But did not notice performance increase, still stock idles. Sluggish could be spark, coils, clear adaptations, maybe a tune up with AA. Try inserting your key, turn on the start/stop button (DO NOT press the brake to turn on the engine) instead press the gas all the way down for 30 seconds, you may or may not hear sounds from the radio head unit area to reset throttle setting. Turn off car, wait a minute or 2 I think, then drive around, warm up, red line it safely for a few miles. See if that works.
Have you tried this? Does it work? Whats the purpose?
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 06:38 PM   #15
6MT_Addict
Captain
6MT_Addict's Avatar
Canada
282
Rep
888
Posts

Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Edmonton

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoRomeo View Post
Have you tried this? Does it work? Whats the purpose?
I did this a month after I got my car, initially it made a huge difference, guess the previous owner drove like a grandma. It's since worn off because I've been forced to drive slowly due to heavy snowfall but I'm definanty resetting again once it's warmer and I can drive more aggressively, it makes a big difference but doesn't eliminate all the pedal lag from the electronic throttle
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 06:50 PM   #16
GoRomeo
Brigadier General
GoRomeo's Avatar
United_States
869
Rep
3,763
Posts

Drives: 330i, 135i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [9.50]
2006 330i  [6.75]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spinz View Post
I did this a month after I got my car, initially it made a huge difference, guess the previous owner drove like a grandma. It's since worn off because I've been forced to drive slowly due to heavy snowfall but I'm definanty resetting again once it's warmer and I can drive more aggressively, it makes a big difference but doesn't eliminate all the pedal lag from the electronic throttle
Ok cool, I need to try this since I neve done it.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 07:45 PM   #17
Route 16
I got lei'd
Route 16's Avatar
Philippines
840
Rep
7,593
Posts

Drives: '10 E90 M3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dark Side of the Moon

iTrader: (62)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoRomeo View Post
Ok cool, I need to try this since I neve done it.
Pretty much works if you drive like a grandma but since I have some spirited driving once in a while, the ecu already knows how you drive so it could be where it's at before the reset, that's what happened to me. Since I didn't do this when I first got the car, I didn't try this until after a whole year, didn't notice anything.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
I ran BMW Fuel treatment many times. I do like Lucas one quiet a bit where it makes the engine smooth and start nicer.
I tried the tranny reset where first few times it made nice changes, but now when I try it, almost unnoticeable.
There's 2 resets, throttle is what we can do with the key and pedals but tranny has to be reset by a OBD port tool. Exactly which Lucas product? Do you pour all that in or half bottle and half tank?
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 08:51 PM   #18
StealYourFace
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
260
Rep
1,794
Posts

Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY

iTrader: (1)

Does it feel sluggish when it's warmed up and you stand on it, or just at part throttle?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2013, 11:59 PM   #19
GoRomeo
Brigadier General
GoRomeo's Avatar
United_States
869
Rep
3,763
Posts

Drives: 330i, 135i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [9.50]
2006 330i  [6.75]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Route 16 View Post
Pretty much works if you drive like a grandma but since I have some spirited driving once in a while, the ecu already knows how you drive so it could be where it's at before the reset, that's what happened to me. Since I didn't do this when I first got the car, I didn't try this until after a whole year, didn't notice anything.



There's 2 resets, throttle is what we can do with the key and pedals but tranny has to be reset by a OBD port tool. Exactly which Lucas product? Do you pour all that in or half bottle and half tank?
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?
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2013, 12:06 AM   #20
Route 16
I got lei'd
Route 16's Avatar
Philippines
840
Rep
7,593
Posts

Drives: '10 E90 M3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dark Side of the Moon

iTrader: (62)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoRomeo View Post
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?
If there isn't change then ecu is already where it's supposed to be. It's really from grandma to regular person daily driving style. Not supposed to see
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2013, 01:14 AM   #21
playground
Lieutenant
Hong Kong
32
Rep
473
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: North York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
I wonder if this has any side-effects on your spark plugs?
What was your procedure to use this?
Pour it into your engine where you would normally put your oil.
Let it run for like 10mins and then flush it all out.
Worked fine for me, no damage to my spark plugs.

Try the fuel treatment additives from chevron also, that could help with the sluggish feeling.
__________________
Become like water my friend.
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2013, 08:03 AM   #22
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
16870
Rep
18,554
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

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

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:47 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST