[E92_William]

Awesome, nice work. Hopefully everything is in order after that. Good thing that you actually pushed forward and made a complaint which might see E91 owners covered under this in the future.

It would seriously suck to have to pay a shop to do this work instead of be covered by the recall. This reminds me of the N54 injector recall which only covers certain years and models when they all have the same injectors that fail

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by Mike K

UPDATE #2: I finally received my FCP parts order and accomplished the following today:

Replaced all 8 faulty Vanos bolts with the up-rated bolts per the RCRIT SB.
Replaced my ESS sensor
Replaced my spark plugs with NGKs.
Cleaned both Vanos solenoids.
Cleaned both Vanos filter/check valves.
Replaced my valve cover with a BMW part.
I changed the oil filter but not yet the oil.

After assembling what was needed, I went for an engine start up. It took a few cranks but finally started. No Vanos rattling noises or whistling at all! Yes! No leaks either.

However, I now had an SES light. Reading the codes with my handy Ancel BM700 unit, I found that I had a misfire on cylinder #4 and a rough idle. I swapped the coils around, and sure enough the fault followed a faulty coil.

So I figured it was best to order and swap in a new set of Bosch coils which I'll have early next week. I still plan to to use a Liqui Moly flush and drain the oil while removing the oil level sensor to see what I can get oil of the oil pan. Stay tuned!

Oh and by the way, I started my NHTSA complaint and CC'd BMW NA. They left me a voicemail last week. Seem that they want to talk to me!

Great update. I'm glad they actually called. Question: Did the Cam the adjuster bolts (original) on the non damaged Cam break free and come out without any issues? As mentioned earlier, I didn't replace my intake bolts out of fear that they would shear.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Mike K

... I started my NHTSA complaint and CC'd BMW NA. They left me a voicemail last week. Seem that they want to talk to me!

BMW Initiating "Communications" is better than "Stone-walling".
However, to prevent any "Lucy & Football" BS-Moves, AFTER listening to what they have to say, I would suggest "Respectfully" requesting they respond in writing/ by email.

Also, email to whomever you talked with, correctly summarizing "My Understanding" of the phone conversation, with copy to NHTSA would be good business practice. If recording a conversation in which YOU are participating is lawful in your State (without telling other party you are recording), I would highly recommend that. You may already know the "Trust but Verify" routine.

A "Claims Adjuster" type, or even a "Goodwill Salesman", often is MOST interested in assessing IF YOU are SERIOUS about getting reimbursed. Remember: "Mutually-Assured Destruction" ONLY works if your opponent thinks you are "committed/ CRAZY" enough to press the button.

I assume the old bolts are Steel/ Magnetic? If so, rather than going to all the trouble of dropping the pan, you MIGHT get some peace of mind by using an Endoscope (~$20 for USB model @ Amazon) to visualize inside the pan (via Drain Hole or OZS Removal), and a magnet to retrieve bolt fragments.

Please keep us posted,
George

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by E92_William

Awesome, nice work. Hopefully everything is in order after that. Good thing that you actually pushed forward and made a complaint which might see E91 owners covered under this in the future.

It would seriously suck to have to pay a shop to do this work instead of be covered by the recall. This reminds me of the N54 injector recall which only covers certain years and models when they all have the same injectors that fail

Thanks alot! It couldn’t hurt if other 2009-11 e91 folks started their own complaints on this issue. It takes about 15 minutes on the phone with the NHTSA. You leave your number and they call you back.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by SCS55

Great update. I'm glad they actually called. Question: Did the Cam the adjuster bolts (original) on the non damaged Cam break free and come out without any issues? As mentioned earlier, I didn't replace my intake bolts out of fear that they would shear.

Thanks again SCS55 you really helped me! Yes I also replaced the still intact but faulty bolts on the intake Vanos too. Though not broken, they were barely tight. Mine came right out.

It was really easy to coax the broken threaded portions of the exhaust bolts out with a sharp dentist pick too FYI. I made damn sure I didn’t drop these however!

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by gbalthrop

BMW Initiating "Communications" is better than "Stone-walling".
However, to prevent any "Lucy & Football" BS-Moves, AFTER listening to what they have to say, I would suggest "Respectfully" requesting they respond in writing/ by email.

Also, email to whomever you talked with, correctly summarizing "My Understanding" of the phone conversation, with copy to NHTSA would be good business practice. If recording a conversation in which YOU are participating is lawful in your State (without telling other party you are recording), I would highly recommend that. You may already know the "Trust but Verify" routine.

A "Claims Adjuster" type, or even a "Goodwill Salesman", often is MOST interested in assessing IF YOU are SERIOUS about getting reimbursed. Remember: "Mutually-Assured Destruction" ONLY works if your opponent thinks you are "committed/ CRAZY" enough to press the button.

I assume the old bolts are Steel/ Magnetic? If so, rather than going to all the trouble of dropping the pan, you MIGHT get some peace of mind by using an Endoscope (~$20 for USB model @ Amazon) to visualize inside the pan (via Drain Hole or OZS Removal), and a magnet to retrieve bolt fragments.

Please keep us posted,
George

Thanks George for all the input! Ill keep on ‘em and report back.

Unfortunately, both the faulty Vanos bolts, and up-rated bolts are aluminum and a magnet won’t help. But the scope might!

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by Mike K

Thanks again SCS55 you really helped me! Yes I also replaced the still intact but faulty bolts on the intake Vanos too. Though not broken, they were barely tight. Mine came right out.

It was really easy to coax the broken threaded portions of the exhaust bolts out with a sharp dentist pick too FYI. I made damn sure I didn't drop these however!

Thx, I'm so good at the VC procedure by now, I'll install the remaining bolts. Otherwise they will just sit in a ziplock in a drawer!

[Mike K]

Yeah I hear you SCS55!

The one trick that worked for me with that *&%$! rear vent hose on the VC was slipping a flat blade putty knife between the VC and the serrated portion of the hose clip. Then pushing the other serrated portion of the clip 180 degrees opposite with my finger and the hose popped off easily without damage.

My other hangup was installing the VC. I had one of the center rear captive bolts on the VC not full loose. That stopped me from getting the VC to sit down at the rear fully. Once I sussed that, it was smooth sailing.

BTW the part number for others who might need it for the up-rated Vanos bolts is: BMW #11368602263

They cost like 0.27 each! I now have extras on hand and it's easy to chow the torx heads up as it's not exactly a straight shot with long shaft the T45 socket.

[Mike K]

UPDATE from BMW NA:

I finally was called by Colin at BMW NA today about why the e91 wasn't included in the faulty Vanos bolts recall. His response was truly UNBELIVABLE and should make any BMW owner very nervous! He said:

Colin: "The reason you car didn't get the recall is that it's a 4 cylinder engine. The recall only applies to 6 cylinder inline engines"

Me: Huh? "Hey Colin this is a 2011 328i e91 with the N52k inline 6 engine."

Colin: "No sir, your car has a 4 cylinder engine."

Me: "Even though I've just torn this thing apart and actually spotted six spark plugs, six coils, etc"

Colin kept stonewalling that "I didn't know what I was talking about" and became quite confrontational too. He refused to email his erroneous postulation too and was offended that I even daned to ask this of him!

I finally just responded that "Maybe you need to check you facts over about my model and then get back to me." I was patient and friendly and thanked him for contacting me. But I remained firm and resolute about the NTSHA complaint and stated that it's in process now. He said he could care less about getting CCd on my NHTSA complaint emails too.

He mumbled something about calling me back on Aug 2nd. OMG!!!

[M-technik-3]

Wow, So maybe we should contact CCA Ombudsman https://www.bmwcca.org/ombudsmen

Went through this with my sister's Mini cooper one.

[E92_William]

Would be great to have the 50iq Colin's last name to formally include him in some of these complaints to BMW NA for being an absolute knob that has no business handling this type of things. The e91 never even got a 4 cylinder engine in North America. Would make my blood boil

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Mike K

UPDATE from BMW NA:
I finally was called by Colin at BMW NA today about why the e91 wasn't included in the faulty Vanos bolts recall:...
Colin: "The reason you car didn't get the recall is that it's a 4 cylinder engine. The recall only applies to 6 cylinder inline engines"
Me: Huh? "Hey Colin this is a 2011 328i e91 with the N52k inline 6 engine."
Colin: "No sir, you car has a 4 cylinder engine."
...
I was patient and friendly and thanked him for contacting me. But I remained firm and resolute about the NTSHA complaint and stated that it's in process now. He said he could care less about getting CCd on my NHTSA complaint emails too. He mumbled something about calling me back on Aug 2nd...

Good Job!
Hope you recorded the phone call, the number from which "Colin" called, and can save the audio file. I would immediately send an email to the same email address/ contact that you sent the first one, stating "verbatim" what he said, how (name) he identified himself, and requesting that they ONLY communicate in WRITING, email or letter. That is to avoid further waste of time and having to deal with the "F-Team".

Make sure you have included your VIN and if you want a screenprint of the ISTA Identification Page for your vehicle (that includes engine, etc.) just give me your Last-7 Characters of VIN, and I'll attach the ScreenPrint.

"Could care less" -- sounds like he's actually concerned that your position is correct, and is just throwing BS. Ever see a politician do that?
Just keep doing what you're doing, including CC to NHTSA so they get the idea that BMW is NOT being trustworthy on this one. The fact that BMW either intentionally or negligently omitted E91 from the "Affected Vehicles" list may have escaped the folks at NHTSA ~ 7 years ago, so carefully consider your strategy on how you play that to NHTSA.

Perhaps, suggesting that BMW "MISLED" NHTSA, so that NHTSA is NOT trying to support BMW, simply to avoid admitting a "mistake" 7 years ago?
Good luck & "illegitimi non carborundum" (Don't let the Bastards grind you down).
George

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by E92_William

... has no business handling this type of things. The e91 never even got a 4 cylinder engine in North America...

Yeah, "Colin" is a REAL "Car Guy".

[Mike K]

Yeah thanks George for your continued insights, very helpful!

I’m starting to wonder if the Vanos bolts recall blindspot for the e91 has something to do with BMW or NHTSA actually incorrectly thinking these 2009-11 sports wagons have 4 cylinder engines? This guy Colin was just convinced he was correct. I knew it was pointless talking to him. Nothing like a surly customer service specialist huh?

I’ll email NHTSA the details of this truly bizarre conversation and CC the generic BMW Geniuses email too. Some geniuses!

[e91Owner]

It was covered briefly, but the warranty extension on these cars not covered by the recall to 10 years from the original in-service date is rather comical. It lists the N51 as the covered engine for the E91 which AFAIK, e91s were not produced with N51 engines. Although, there was another poster that got his N52 E91 vanos adjusters replaced under the extended warranty, so it apparently was possible.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...57335-7958.pdf

As a side note, did you take note if the part number on the adjusters matched the "improved parts" 11367583207/11367583208? I didn't think to look at them that closely and only have checked for tightness the last time I had my VC off. My similarly aged e60 with an N52 isn't even mentioned in the recall. My guess is both the e91 and e60 I have came with the improved parts from the factory.

[Mike K]

UPDATE Mechanical:

I received and installed new Bosch ignition coils and the results are very good. The engine is now silky smooth and quiet with no Vanos rattles. No codes or SES lights either!

Soon, in about 50-100 miles, I’ll perform a Liqui Moly flush then drain the oil as well as pulling the oil level sensor. Then I can scope around and hopefully find and fish the three faulty bolt heads from the exhaust Vanos.

Many thanks to all who guided me through this issue! I appreciate you all!

I’ll also update about the NHTSA complaint and my dealings with “Colin” the BMW genius who is convinced my N52k is a 4 banger!

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by Mike K

UPDATE from BMW NA:

I finally was called by Colin at BMW NA today about why the e91 wasn't included in the faulty Vanos bolts recall. His response was truly UNBELIVABLE and should make any BMW owner very nervous! He said:

Colin: "The reason you car didn't get the recall is that it's a 4 cylinder engine. The recall only applies to 6 cylinder inline engines"

Me: Huh? "Hey Colin this is a 2011 328i e91 with the N52k inline 6 engine."

Colin: "No sir, your car has a 4 cylinder engine."

Me: "Even though I've just torn this thing apart and actually spotted six spark plugs, six coils, etc"

Colin kept stonewalling that "I didn't know what I was talking about" and became quite confrontational too. He refused to email his erroneous postulation too and was offended that I even daned to ask this of him!

I finally just responded that "Maybe you need to check you facts over about my model and then get back to me." I was patient and friendly and thanked him for contacting me. But I remained firm and resolute about the NTSHA complaint and stated that it's in process now. He said he could care less about getting CCd on my NHTSA complaint emails too.

He mumbled something about calling me back on Aug 2nd. OMG!!!

Absolutely unbelievable! As an owner of 3 BMW's I'm definitely nervous but also fatigued as well. Especially since a recent Blackstone report on my 16' F80 M3 Rear Differential shows "visible metal shavings in the sample." My old E46 with its ultra weak cooling system, E90 Vanos almost self grenading itself, F30 335i bearing failure and OFHG air pocket threat, etc, etc, but I digress.

Keep the heat on em!

[Mike K]

UPDATE #3: Today I performed a Liqui Moly engine flush in hopes of rinsing out any of the three caps from my faulty Vanos bolts.

After the recent work of replacing these bolts and more, I decided to drive the car about 100 miles during the last week and then do this engine flush. I had only about 1800 miles on the current oil when the Vanos bolts went south. On advice, I changed the oil filter alone after these bolts repairs.

So this AM I drove the car 10 minutes, added the Liqui Moly 500ml flush, let it idle another 10 minutes and the drained the oil. It was pretty dark colored and seemed to drain effectively too. I put a strainer in my oil drain pan to catch stuff. But alas, no missing bolt caps. I even pulled the oil level sensor and aped the proctology bit but didn't come up with any metal. I put the sensor back with a new gasket.

I then did a normal oil change with yet another filter and 6.5L of the good stuff.

Even though these 3 bolts caps are down in my oil pan, I'm figuring, on advice and discussion with others down this road, that these errant caps are parked in one of the N52k's oil pan lower nooks and recesses. So for now, I'm counting on the oil pump screen and the powers that be. I'll report and developments and plan on a quick oil change at 3750 miles too. The engine is now smooth and strong.

Oh, and my BMW "Genius" Colin has actually emailed me about the e91 recall mishap. (No return emails allowed however) He said he will call me on Aug 10th. Hah! Maybe he'll then figure out that a N52 is a 6 cylinder engine!

[Mike K]

Here's a file image of the oil pickup tube screen I'm counting on until the oil pan get's removed in the future..

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by Mike K

Here's a file image of the oil pickup tube screen I'm counting on until the oil pan get's removed in the future..

Glad it's running well. I'm in the EXACT same situation. Still running smoothly here. I couldn't find a reference photo from my OPG job, but there are indeed many nooks and crannies the heads can settle into. Btw…I'm getting a base transfer soon and I'll be swapping out my M3's highway duties and assigning it to our little N52. It's so smooth and good on gas, it's going to start a twice per week 163 miles one way commute. I'll be thinking about those bolts for 2 1/2 hours!

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by SCS55

Glad it's running well. I'm in the EXACT same situation. Still running smoothly here. I couldn't find a reference photo from my OPG job, but there are indeed many nooks and crannies the heads can settle into. Btw…I'm getting a base transfer soon and I'll be swapping out my M3's highway duties and assigning it to our little N52. It's so smooth and good on gas, it's going to start a twice per week 163 miles one way commute. I'll be thinking about those bolts for 2 1/2 hours!

Thanks again man and good luck with the new commute!

[Mike K]

UPDATE FROM BMW NA: My BMW NA "genius" Colin called to say that "the engine in my e91 is not in the recall range". I told him I'm still proceeding with the NHTSA formal complaint as my 2011 e91 engine IS actually in the recall range and contains the faulty bolts. But he couldn't tell me what the recall range actually was. I don't think he knew..

He did finally apologize for insisting my engine was a 4 cylinder however! A small victory. If the NHTSA complaint folks get back to me, I'll post updates here.

In the meantime 2009-2011 e91 folks, check thos Vanos bolts and save yourself a major headache!