[sal80]

Hi all

Need your urgent help, my car had 2A99 fault code & oil pressure fault, I changed both VANOS sensors & check oil pressure which was low, so opened the sump & found out it was blocked.

Now cleaning everything & changed the sump seal oil pressure is light gone & oil pressure is Perfectly fine.

But 2A99 fault & engine management light still on

Can anyone help what else I can do

Thank you

[longm1985]

My GUESS is that they don't go away on their own. I would SUGGEST clearing the codes and seeing if they come back. Could I be wrong here? Yes. Should you wait for other members to chime in? Also yes.

[sal80]

I did clear the codes but it's keep coming back.

Thank you for your help

[TunafishE93]

I would post in the proper forum. I believe that you are running a n55 but that error code doesn't translate in the e9x world. Which is why the proper forum is a good place to start. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=466

[TunafishE93]

I believe the error for your car is "Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, sensor wires" but like i said you will probably get a better answer in the correct forum.

[sal80]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

I would post in the proper forum. I believe that you are running a n55 but that error code doesn't translate in the e9x world. Which is why the proper forum is a good place to start. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=466

Sorry my car model is 330i 2008 model

[F31B48]

Originally Posted by sal80

Sorry my car model is 330i 2008 model

What was the oil pickup blocked with when you removed the sump?
Have you removed and cleaned the VANOS filters?

[E92William]

I have a feeling it was probably blocked with belt material from a previous issue of a belt getting through the front main seal but I'm just guessing.

Take off your oil filter cap and make sure the plastic insert that holds the filter is in place with its o ring

[Steve Sas]

If oil filter OK check and clean VANOS check valve/filter on the side of the engine block.
If your engine is like the N54 that is. Also, did you buy genuine vanos solenoids?

[dpaul]

I'm assuming the OP is in Birmingham, West Midlands UK, not Birmingham Ala, US since I don't think E90 330i were imported to the US in 2008.

If so, the vehicle is equipped with N52N (MSV80 DME, valvetronic) or N53 (MSD81 DME, non-valvetronic) engines, neither of which I believe has VANOS oil filters, although I could be wrong there.

For both, 2A99 code is given as "DME: Crankshaft - exhaust camshaft, reference" with the following suggestions:

1. Check position (valve timing setting) of camshaft and reluctor
2. Check timing chain and tensioner mechanism.
3. Check VANOS solenoid for dirt and contamination
4. Check torque on crankshaft center bolt

Checking that the center post in the oil filter cap is intact and has it's small O-ring is a good idea.

One hopes you did not run the engine very long with the oil pressure low. And that whatever blocked your sump is not distributed among and blocking the smaller oil passages in different parts of the engine including the valve train.

[sal80]

Originally Posted by E92William

I have a feeling it was probably blocked with belt material from a previous issue of a belt getting through the front main seal but I'm just guessing.

Take off your oil filter cap and make sure the plastic insert that holds the filter is in place with its o ring

Originally Posted by Steve Sas

If oil filter OK check and clean VANOS check valve/filter on the side of the engine block.
If your engine is like the N54 that is. Also, did you buy genuine vanos solenoids?

Originally Posted by dpaul

I'm assuming the OP is in Birmingham, West Midlands UK, not Birmingham Ala, US since I don't think E90 330i were imported to the US.

If so, the vehicle is equipped with N52N (MSV80 DME, valvetronic) or N53 (MSD81 DME, non-valvetronic) engines, neither of which I believe has VANOS oil filters, although I could be wrong there.

For both, 2A99 code is given as "DME: Crankshaft - exhaust camshaft, reference" with the following suggestions:

1. Check position (valve timing setting) of camshaft and reluctor
2. Check timing chain and tensioner mechanism.
3. Check VANOS solenoid for dirt and contamination
4. Check torque on crankshaft center bolt

Checking that the center post in the oil filter cap is intact and has it's small O-ring is a good idea.

One hopes you did not run the engine very long with the oil pressure low. And that whatever blocked your sump is not distributed among and blocking the smaller oil passages in different parts of the engine including the valve train.

Hi all

Yes I'm from UK & yes it's N53 330i e90 oil pressure light is gone after cleaning, changed both Solenoids OEM bmw part, nothing was missing from oil filter.
Engine sounds good & no knocking noises.


Just go on limp mode as soon starts the car & engine light is on, next is to open & check things as mentioned above & I'll advise

Thank you

[F31B48]

N53 definitely has VANOS filters/ non return valves. It looks like fragments of drive belt that were blocking the pickup so there's is a good chance the belt may have got into the timing chain and caused it to jump a few teeth. I'd check VANOS filters first as it is an easy job. If that doesn't work you will need to remove the valve cover and check the valve timing.

[sal80]

Originally Posted by EvaBmw

N53 definitely has VANOS filters/ non return valves. It looks like fragments of drive belt that were blocking the pickup so there's is a good chance the belt may have got into the timing chain and caused it to jump a few teeth. I'd check VANOS filters first as it is an easy job. If that doesn't work you will need to remove the valve cover and check the valve timing.

Check the VANOS filters all ok ,next thing is need to take it to the garage to check the timings.

[E92William]

You could run the vanos actuations on ista I believe on inpa aswell and see how it responds to various timing demands from the dme and what the camshaft position sensor reads its actually doing.

[lookalikehuuh]

With the oil pickup being that clogged with debris I would think it's almost certain that oil starvation may have occurred and major components could be damaged internally.

[E92William]

I'm surprised he said the vanos filters were clean

[feuer]

Originally Posted by lookalikehuuh

With the oil pickup being that clogged with debris I would think it's almost certain that oil starvation may have occurred and major components could be damaged internally.

Yes, I would suspect cam shaft ladges.

Originally Posted by E92William

I'm surprised he said the vanos filters were clean

Debris too bulky to get to Vanos Check return valves

[sal80]

Little update guys, i also tried camshaft sensors as one of my friend had same problem & after changing camshaft sensor his car problem was solved, but unlucky for me nothing changes, tomorrow I'll take it to another mechanic to open the cover to see pulleys or for anything unusual also check if the timing is out.

Wish me luck 😭 thank you for your help

[sal80]

Here is new update

My mechanic opened the top & found belt debris all over the timing chain, he put new chain including full timing mechanism. He put everything back but now the old error code is gone & new codes are coming

P1553 & P1554 he is saying it's to do VANOS sensors
I told him they are brand new,I changed them before brought to him, but he thinks that because I drove the car with them they gone faulty again 😢😢😢

Any idea guys what it could be before I order another set 😕

Thank you

[E92William]

I mean there is the ever so slight chance that they got belt material inside them? They have filters before them so idk what would cause them to go bad. But that's very weird for both of them. Is this a BMW mechanic? If you think it's worthwhile for you to have him just sort it already go ahead. Belt material is a really bad sign

[sal80]

Originally Posted by E92William

I mean there is the ever so slight chance that they got belt material inside them? They have filters before them so idk what would cause them to go bad. But that's very weird for both of them. Is this a BMW mechanic? If you think it's worthwhile for you to have him just sort it already go ahead. Belt material is a really bad sign

No not BMW mechanic, but I have been thinking the same how can they go bad that quick also reading about the oil thickness, if it's not right thickness this can cause same faults.

[Bmw1939]

Originally Posted by sal80

Here is new update

My mechanic opened the top & found belt debris all over the timing chain, he put new chain including full timing mechanism. He put everything back but now the old error code is gone & new codes are coming

P1553 & P1554 he is saying it's to do VANOS sensors
I told him they are brand new,I changed them before brought to him, but he thinks that because I drove the car with them they gone faulty again 😢😢😢

Any idea guys what it could be before I order another set 😕

Thank you

Change your oil filter. Use mann or oem. If it is a cheap one it can cause this. Also, make sure the inner cage is attached with the o ring at the bottom attached and the bottom of the filter housing is clear.