E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Engine Malfunction - Reduced Output



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-08-2018, 02:31 AM   #1
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Engine Malfunction - Reduced Output

Hello everybody, looking to get some advice as to what to repair in order to fix this problem:

The Car:
2007 335i E90. It has the cold weather package and the sports package. Build date 10/2006.
Just under 120k miles but its maintenance and upkeep has been tight.
Only mods: DCIs and Borla catback exhaust
Used to have it JB4'd but took it off a couple months ago because of this problem.
The vacuum lines coming from the charge pipe are not connected, I have two "caps" where they should be connecting to give the effect of a blowoff valve. (did this a long time ago I should probably just upgrade my charge pipe to an aluminum one with BOV now)

The Problem:
I've been living with this problem for like a year now.
Past about 3500 rpm I get the dreaded half engine power malfunction and then the car makes no boost.
It resets every single time when I restart the car.
Sometimes the car runs fine past 3500rpm but its only a matter of time before it comes up if I am pushing the car.
When I am just cruising and don't really push it to get to speed I can go 300 miles and the light won't come up.
The car displays no codes when I connect it to the OBD scanner. I think this is primarily because it resets upon restart every single time.

What I have done:
For the longest time I suspected my charge pipe was cracked or not connected properly.
I replaced my alternator a few weeks ago and during that I thoroughly checked my charge pipe. I disconnected and reconnected it also. Surprisingly, it wasn't cracked anywhere and I made sure the connection is secure.

Secondly, the car had an increase in rattle noise upon startup and idling sometimes. So about a month ago I tightened the actuator rod for the rear turbo. It was hard getting to it but I got it done nonetheless. This did indeed reduce the rattle temporarily but I was still getting the half engine power light often (not every single time however). Fast forward a couple weeks later and the rattle is back to normal and the half engine power light pops up literally every single time I step on it. Makes me think I can buy a new "Wastegate Actuator - Rear" cheaply and this might solve the problem?

Help Plz
What do you guys think it can be thats causing my problem? Charge pipe or wastegate actuator? Or both?

I really hope I don't have to buy new turbos. About 120k on the stock turbos. I don't see any white smoke and it does build boost for a little bit sometimes before throwing the code so hopefully its not that.

Really want to solve this issue asap so I can put my JB4 back on and go back to making large amounts of boost
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 02:49 AM   #2
RocketSurgeon
Lieutenant
264
Rep
459
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Manual, CBR650F
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

You need to read the codes to know what's going on. If you get the half engine light THERE IS a stored code, you just need a BMW scanner. Your JB4 can pull codes, or the MHD app can read codes for free, you just need the correct K+DCAN cable and an OTG adapter. Without codes, we could only speculate what the problem is. MHD is excellent for reading codes, and it can read shadow codes. Their code definitions are pretty solid too.
Appreciate 1
Picanha28.00
      06-08-2018, 07:12 AM   #3
robthewrench
Captain
266
Rep
952
Posts

Drives: 11 E90 335i
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbus OH

iTrader: (0)

How open are you to paying someone for a professional diagnostic? You could use a dealer or an indy. I think it might be well worth the money.
__________________
bone stock
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 09:25 AM   #4
mweisdorfer
Major General
mweisdorfer's Avatar
United_States
1900
Rep
6,968
Posts

Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Holly, MI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW E90 335i  [0.00]
2008 bmw x5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooldude346 View Post
Hello everybody, looking to get some advice as to what to repair in order to fix this problem:

The Car:
2007 335i E90. It has the cold weather package and the sports package. Build date 10/2006.
Just under 120k miles but its maintenance and upkeep has been tight.
Only mods: DCIs and Borla catback exhaust
Used to have it JB4'd but took it off a couple months ago because of this problem.
The vacuum lines coming from the charge pipe are not connected, I have two "caps" where they should be connecting to give the effect of a blowoff valve. (did this a long time ago I should probably just upgrade my charge pipe to an aluminum one with BOV now)

The Problem:
I've been living with this problem for like a year now.
Past about 3500 rpm I get the dreaded half engine power malfunction and then the car makes no boost.
It resets every single time when I restart the car.
Sometimes the car runs fine past 3500rpm but its only a matter of time before it comes up if I am pushing the car.
When I am just cruising and don't really push it to get to speed I can go 300 miles and the light won't come up.
The car displays no codes when I connect it to the OBD scanner. I think this is primarily because it resets upon restart every single time.

What I have done:
For the longest time I suspected my charge pipe was cracked or not connected properly.
I replaced my alternator a few weeks ago and during that I thoroughly checked my charge pipe. I disconnected and reconnected it also. Surprisingly, it wasn't cracked anywhere and I made sure the connection is secure.

Secondly, the car had an increase in rattle noise upon startup and idling sometimes. So about a month ago I tightened the actuator rod for the rear turbo. It was hard getting to it but I got it done nonetheless. This did indeed reduce the rattle temporarily but I was still getting the half engine power light often (not every single time however). Fast forward a couple weeks later and the rattle is back to normal and the half engine power light pops up literally every single time I step on it. Makes me think I can buy a new "Wastegate Actuator - Rear" cheaply and this might solve the problem?

Help Plz
What do you guys think it can be thats causing my problem? Charge pipe or wastegate actuator? Or both?

I really hope I don't have to buy new turbos. About 120k on the stock turbos. I don't see any white smoke and it does build boost for a little bit sometimes before throwing the code so hopefully its not that.

Really want to solve this issue asap so I can put my JB4 back on and go back to making large amounts of boost
I'd buy a Schwaben or Foxwell scan tool, update it and then read the codes.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 11:39 AM   #5
TomD335xicoupe
First Lieutenant
319
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: 08 335XI me ,19 x3 M40 wife
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (1)

I am by no means good at this but I did not see a walnut blast in your post?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 12:10 PM   #6
Pladi
Lieutenant Colonel
Pladi's Avatar
Canada
717
Rep
1,753
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Waterloo, ON Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
I'd buy a Schwaben or Foxwell scan tool, update it and then read the codes.
Why do you guys insist on telling people that they have to buy a 500 dollar + tool when ISTA is FREE and it can do ALOT more...
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 12:36 PM   #7
mweisdorfer
Major General
mweisdorfer's Avatar
United_States
1900
Rep
6,968
Posts

Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Holly, MI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW E90 335i  [0.00]
2008 bmw x5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pladi View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
I'd buy a Schwaben or Foxwell scan tool, update it and then read the codes.
Why do you guys insist on telling people that they have to buy a 500 dollar + tool when ISTA is FREE and it can do ALOT more...
$500.00????

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...SABEgKmf_D_BwE

Gosh, I didn't know it cost $500.00.....
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 12:43 PM   #8
Pladi
Lieutenant Colonel
Pladi's Avatar
Canada
717
Rep
1,753
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Waterloo, ON Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
$500.00????

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...SABEgKmf_D_BwE

Gosh, I didn't know it cost $500.00.....
still you get the point..
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 02:13 PM   #9
robthewrench
Captain
266
Rep
952
Posts

Drives: 11 E90 335i
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbus OH

iTrader: (0)

I see in another thread you posted that you are also having serious problems with I-drive and audio. Between the two of these, it seems like some serious hack of this car has occurred. Is the car truly back to stock at this point, or are there things that have been modded?
__________________
bone stock
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 02:24 PM   #10
rsyed07
Captain
rsyed07's Avatar
United_States
174
Rep
595
Posts

Drives: E46 330i, E92 13' 335is
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central FL

iTrader: (0)

The last time I got the half engine light was because the car was not getting any boost. The culprit was a blown stock charge pipe. Replaced it with a OEM one which failed again and then finally replaced it with a VRSF one and haven't had any issues. If its a boost leak chances are your leaking somewhere. I would double check all connections from intercooler onward and look for vacuum leaks too.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 07:23 PM   #11
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon View Post
You need to read the codes to know what's going on. If you get the half engine light THERE IS a stored code, you just need a BMW scanner. Your JB4 can pull codes, or the MHD app can read codes for free, you just need the correct K+DCAN cable and an OTG adapter. Without codes, we could only speculate what the problem is. MHD is excellent for reading codes, and it can read shadow codes. Their code definitions are pretty solid too.
So I ran the codes and its throwing 30FF. Boost problem right?
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 07:24 PM   #12
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomD335xicoupe View Post
I am by no means good at this but I did not see a walnut blast in your post?
I have not gotten it walnut blasted in all the time ive owned it (50k miles until now and it has about 120k). Should I get this done?
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 07:26 PM   #13
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by robthewrench View Post
I see in another thread you posted that you are also having serious problems with I-drive and audio. Between the two of these, it seems like some serious hack of this car has occurred. Is the car truly back to stock at this point, or are there things that have been modded?
Yeah that iDrive and Radio problem had been driving me crazy last couple of weeks. Thankfully that is back to normal for the most part now.

Yeah car is completely stock barring the DCI's and Borla exhaust. Used to have the JB4 on but its been off for a long time now.
Thats why its confusing me, boost pressure symptoms coming up even though Im not even trying to run additional boost atm.
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 07:30 PM   #14
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rsyed07 View Post
The last time I got the half engine light was because the car was not getting any boost. The culprit was a blown stock charge pipe. Replaced it with a OEM one which failed again and then finally replaced it with a VRSF one and haven't had any issues. If its a boost leak chances are your leaking somewhere. I would double check all connections from intercooler onward and look for vacuum leaks too.
I checked the vacuum line connections and everything checks out. I also checked the chargepipe and it wasn't cracked anywhere visibly.

Question for you: How did you know your charge pipe was "blown"? Was it visibly cracked or disconnected anywhere? Or just by the symptoms you figured it that it was the Charge pipe?
Also one more question: were you getting 0 boost whatsoever? Or same as me - boosting for little bit and as soon as you hit like 3k rpm the light comes on??

Im really starting to suspect the charge pipe and might just order the VRSF one soon. Just want to make sure that is my problem before blowing the $500 (including BOV).
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 07:39 PM   #15
halik008
Private First Class
58
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: e90
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

$5 says your wastegates are so worn that they catch part way through it's normal movement thus triggering 30FF

Last edited by halik008; 06-08-2018 at 08:35 PM..
Appreciate 1
      06-08-2018, 07:46 PM   #16
jeddo45
Apprentice
United_States
373
Rep
801
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW 335i
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: LBC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cooldude346 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsyed07 View Post
The last time I got the half engine light was because the car was not getting any boost. The culprit was a blown stock charge pipe. Replaced it with a OEM one which failed again and then finally replaced it with a VRSF one and haven't had any issues. If its a boost leak chances are your leaking somewhere. I would double check all connections from intercooler onward and look for vacuum leaks too.
I checked the vacuum line connections and everything checks out. I also checked the chargepipe and it wasn't cracked anywhere visibly.

Question for you: How did you know your charge pipe was "blown"? Was it visibly cracked or disconnected anywhere? Or just by the symptoms you figured it that it was the Charge pipe?
Also one more question: were you getting 0 boost whatsoever? Or same as me - boosting for little bit and as soon as you hit like 3k rpm the light comes on??

Im really starting to suspect the charge pipe and might just order the VRSF one soon. Just want to make sure that is my problem before blowing the $500 (including BOV).
You're gonna have to go through process of elimination for this. Boost leak problems could be a number of things:

1. Check intercooler connections.
2. Check charge pipe and diverter valves. A stuck diverter valve will let all boost out.
3. Check vacuum lines. Not just visible check. Smoke test will show any cracked lines.
4. Waste Gates. If stuck open they will let all boost out.

I'd start with a smoke test because it could very well be a vacuum line.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the actual turbos. You got 120k out of them which is impressive, a whole lot more than most of us got ( mine started giving out at 82k).
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 07:54 PM   #17
agustincuenca
First Lieutenant
154
Rep
342
Posts

Drives: 2008 E90 335i; 2016 F80 M3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: S Louis

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW M3  [0.00]
2008 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by halik008 View Post
$5 says your wastegates are so warn that they catch part way through it's normal movement thus triggering 30FF
+1
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 08:15 PM   #18
IllSic_Design
Colonel
IllSic_Design's Avatar
United_States
2123
Rep
2,758
Posts

Drives: 09 E92 335i
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by agustincuenca View Post
+1
+2. That's what happened to mine at 126k.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 08:36 PM   #19
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by halik008 View Post
$5 says your wastegates are so warn that they catch part way through it's normal movement thus triggering 30FF
So if this is the case does this mean I need to get new turbos?

Thinking about taking it to the dealership and paying the $150 diagnostic fee so that atleast I know for sure what the problem is before looking at Vargas or RB turbos or anything.
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 08:37 PM   #20
cooldude346
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeddo45 View Post
You're gonna have to go through process of elimination for this. Boost leak problems could be a number of things:

1. Check intercooler connections.
2. Check charge pipe and diverter valves. A stuck diverter valve will let all boost out.
3. Check vacuum lines. Not just visible check. Smoke test will show any cracked lines.
4. Waste Gates. If stuck open they will let all boost out.

I'd start with a smoke test because it could very well be a vacuum line.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the actual turbos. You got 120k out of them which is impressive, a whole lot more than most of us got ( mine started giving out at 82k).
Thanks for the advice! I'll try to check for 1-3 and hope its one of those issues. About to order a smoke/fog machine from Amazon rn. Hoping its not the turbos themselves but I guess they are bound to go at some point.
__________________
2007 E90 N54 --clean black (current)
2004 350z vert --clean black (Sold 2015)
2012 Corolla S --clean black (first car/Sold 2014)
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2018, 08:40 PM   #21
halik008
Private First Class
58
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: e90
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cooldude346 View Post
So if this is the case does this mean I need to get new turbos?

Thinking about taking it to the dealership and paying the $150 diagnostic fee so that atleast I know for sure what the problem is before looking at Vargas or RB turbos or anything.
or rebuild the ones u got. you can jerry rig things short term if they are in deed getting hung up
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2018, 12:18 PM   #22
MysticRob
Captain
MysticRob's Avatar
573
Rep
870
Posts

Drives: 2009 335i E90
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Fremont, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooldude346 View Post
So if this is the case does this mean I need to get new turbos?

Thinking about taking it to the dealership and paying the $150 diagnostic fee so that atleast I know for sure what the problem is before looking at Vargas or RB turbos or anything.
How about just buying a simple vacuum pump tool and testing the wastegates yourself. Read up and learn about how the vehicle works and you'll save a lot of money.
__________________
2008 E61 535xi Sport Wagon / 100k Miles / Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Natural Brown Interior / MHD Stage 1 91 CA-Octane Tune.
SOLD - 2009 E90 335i M-Sport Sedan / 143k Miles / Alpine White Exterior / Chestnut Brown Interior / Mishimoto FMIC / xHP Stage 2.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
335, 335i, bmw, e90, n54, power, rattle, turbo

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 03:52 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