[jmlekofl]

Hey gang, I have a 2006 330i e90 with... wait for it... 189,000 miles... HA... The car at idle is all over the place, stalled on me twice.. but started right back up, very random while driving stead speed will almost try to stall like its missing or backfiring without the sound... I changed all coils and plugs (the first time in 189k miles) purrs like a kitten, but the glitch is still there... no check engine light. Its random, when it misses, the lights don't dim, Id like to rule out loose ground... any other ideas?

[VTECaddict]

fuel pump?

[NorthernCAE90]

Originally Posted by jmlekofl

Hey gang, I have a 2006 330i e90 with... wait for it... 189,000 miles... HA... The car at idle is all over the place, stalled on me twice.. but started right back up, very random while driving stead speed will almost try to stall like its missing or backfiring without the sound... I changed all coils and plugs (the first time in 189k miles) purrs like a kitten, but the glitch is still there... no check engine light. Its random, when it misses, the lights don't dim, Id like to rule out loose ground... any other ideas?

190,000! NICE! that's really sweet info I just bought my 06 E90 and im hearing from a lot of people they are one of the better built/ reliable E90's

[chronologic]

Check the error codes in your car.
It could be the 'eccentric shaft sensor.'
Or maybe 'vanos solenoid' needs cleaning.

Search around the forums for similar symptoms you are experiencing.

[ctuna]

clean vanos solonoids? or replace
Has this ever been done?
Easy to do see DIY's
Also how's your battery?

[jmlekofl]

I gave up and took it to a local BMW indy, he drove it, told me without a doubt it was the vanos... pulled the codes and ended up being the shaft sensor... She is a beast again!

This car has really been great, I've done the regular maintenance, I change the oil at 5k mile intervals (burns 1/2 quart @ 5k with 180k miles), drain and fill on the transmission at 90k (6 liters & filter/pan), flushed the radiator at 80k miles, all of the lock actuators (thanks to DIY on this site) changed coils and plugs yesterday and didn't even need it... but it sure runs smooth now...

The only work I've had to have performed by mechanic was valve cover gasket and a couple broken engine mount bolts and front lower control arm bushing... hell, I still have the original shocks and struts that are finally going bad as my tires are getting choppy...

[hunt55]

I have 147000 on the 06 325i. Keeps on running. Take it in every six months and dealer says all is just fine. Only regret is that I passed on the same exact car in the 330i as it was my first BMW and I had heard the old good and bad stories about BMWs so I did not want to invest that much more. Love the 325 but still hurts a little-lol.

Good to see it still running strong. I definitely plan to get at least 200,000 out of it.

Hunt55

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by jmlekofl

I gave up and took it to a local BMW indy, he drove it, told me without a doubt it was the vanos... pulled the codes and ended up being the shaft sensor... She is a beast again!

This car has really been great, I've done the regular maintenance, I change the oil at 5k mile intervals (burns 1/2 quart @ 5k with 180k miles), drain and fill on the transmission at 90k (6 liters & filter/pan), flushed the radiator at 80k miles, all of the lock actuators (thanks to DIY on this site) changed coils and plugs yesterday and didn't even need it... but it sure runs smooth now...

The only work I've had to have performed by mechanic was valve cover gasket and a couple broken engine mount bolts and front lower control arm bushing... hell, I still have the original shocks and struts that are finally going bad as my tires are getting choppy...

Hi there, thanks for sharing your 330i story. Glad your beast its back! Im at 105k miles still running strong!

[GotN52?]

Just joined E90post; read your post while researching, because my 2006 330i was recently diagnosed by a local indy with the same issue. 127,000 miles and other than replacing the CCC, only a few minor non-maintenance related problems have interrupted my daily "BMW Joy". Apart from oil changes every 5k-6k and scheduled maintenance, this is the first unscheduled work my mechanic will be performing since I relocated to the East Coast 45,000 miles ago. Glad you're back on the road!

[mike3000fl]

I'm jealous. 170,000 here.

Investigate fuel, air, spark.

Fuel filter, injector cleaner, air cleaner, MAF sensor, may as well get new plugs, they should be due around 200,000. Check coils. VANOS. Run the car for any codes.

Last but not least, buy gas somewhere different for a couple tanks, I had a friend run water contaminated fuel and it did the same thing you describe.

[Efthreeoh]

Call me when you get to 220K; I'll be there on Tuesday next week. My OCI is 17,500 and it eats a quart of oil about every 12K.

[tigermack]

This is great news. I plan to keep my car for awhile. lol

[shata]

Thats good you took it in and they figured it out. Since you seem to be long term owner getting older laptop and INPA would come in handy that way you dont have to spend all that $$ on reading bmw specific codes. I can almost promise you it threw code for that.

Im very surprised you made it to 180k without any coils going bad my first one went at 106k.. Guess every car is slightly different. Its good you replaced it though. Surprised you havent had your water pump go yet either. Ive heard of that happening in 140-160k range.

Idle issues can be vanos being dirty (unlikely with 4-6k oil changes), Coils/plugs normally...I mean hell there is alot that can affect it honestly.

You wont find more reliable E90 out there is what I tell people. Ive had coils/plugs, VCG, Positive battery cable (had high resistance causing SES airbag/seat belt light...After 600$ Dealer visit is when I got INPA). But that aint nothing in repair costs for bmw hah.

[zohaibrose]

OP you are talking about the eccentric shaft sensor? im having the same stalling issue but misfiring in all cylinders of bank 2 but no shaft sensor code sadly

[hassmaschine]

unplug the eccentric shaft sensor (with the engine off of course). If it runs better, you've found the issue.

[zohaibrose]

I've unplugged it, runs better but when I replaced sensor it did same thing

[Jashan90]

Mine is at 199k running super ! Check your coils and spark plugs. Potential vacuum leak or fuel pump.

[Jashan90]

Originally Posted by shata

Thats good you took it in and they figured it out. Since you seem to be long term owner getting older laptop and INPA would come in handy that way you dont have to spend all that $$ on reading bmw specific codes. I can almost promise you it threw code for that.

Im very surprised you made it to 180k without any coils going bad my first one went at 106k.. Guess every car is slightly different. Its good you replaced it though. Surprised you havent had your water pump go yet either. Ive heard of that happening in 140-160k range.

Idle issues can be vanos being dirty (unlikely with 4-6k oil changes), Coils/plugs normally...I mean hell there is alot that can affect it honestly.

You wont find more reliable E90 out there is what I tell people. Ive had coils/plugs, VCG, Positive battery cable (had high resistance causing SES airbag/seat belt light...After 600$ Dealer visit is when I got INPA). But that aint nothing in repair costs for bmw hah.

About the high resistance... what did you do to fit it.? I remember reading about this remedy. I do have my air bag lights on... thanks I'd appreciate some wisdom

[Jashan90]

Originally Posted by jmlekofl

I gave up and took it to a local BMW indy, he drove it, told me without a doubt it was the vanos... pulled the codes and ended up being the shaft sensor... She is a beast again!

This car has really been great, I've done the regular maintenance, I change the oil at 5k mile intervals (burns 1/2 quart @ 5k with 180k miles), drain and fill on the transmission at 90k (6 liters & filter/pan), flushed the radiator at 80k miles, all of the lock actuators (thanks to DIY on this site) changed coils and plugs yesterday and didn't even need it... but it sure runs smooth now...

The only work I've had to have performed by mechanic was valve cover gasket and a couple broken engine mount bolts and front lower control arm bushing... hell, I still have the original shocks and struts that are finally going bad as my tires are getting choppy...

I actually had this issue with my Mercedes E550 as well. It would stall when coming to a stop

[Oldmactech]

Trying to help my son,2007 335i.

Did his valve cover gasket last pm (well, Pm to2AM) and he drove home 50 miles. No problem.

Drove a few miles to work this AM but on the way to lunch it started running very rough and he shut it down, threw a code, not sure what it is yet.

In the valve cover process he cracked the breather hose from the valve cover and had no choice but to wrap it with tape.

Is it possible this has opened up as a vaccum leak or look elsewhere. Does sound like vaccum to me?

Thanks.

(Gonna have to go read the code I guess)

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by Oldmactech

Trying to help my son,2007 335i.

Did his valve cover gasket last pm (well, Pm to2AM) and he drove home 50 miles. No problem.

Drove a few miles to work this AM but on the way to lunch it started running very rough and he shut it down, threw a code, not sure what it is yet.

In the valve cover process he cracked the breather hose from the valve cover and had no choice but to wrap it with tape.

Is it possible this has opened up as a vaccum leak or look elsewhere. Does sound like vaccum to me?

Thanks.

(Gonna have to go read the code I guess)

Try to create a new thread for new (and your specific) problems instead of re-animating a dead one to avoid confusing everyone here.

[Gamb1t]

I agree with MysticRob.

335i <> 330i. One is an N54 nightmare ownership and the other is considered one of the most reliable BMW model. Please do not muddy the two cars up and start a new 335i problem thread. Appreciate it thanks.