[RichardGoller]

I bought a car in May and since it had low idle around 550 rpm and some unrythmic thud and vibration coming from the engine, very slight you have to really listen to feel it and only when AC is off. I have now come to the conclusion that its the eccentric shaft sensor. When car is off in ISTA it says specified angle 0, actual angle 58 for the eccentric shaft. Will running the car for at least 6 000 miles with a failed eccentric shaft sensor damage the eccentric shaft it self? Pulled the valve cover, I can't see anything wrong, is it worth having a real BMW specialist have a look at it?

[E92William]

6000 miles? Probably not but why? Go to a junkyard and get a used sensor from preferably a crashed car and one that looks to have no oil in it for like 10 bucks and put it in, that's your cheapest way out

[RichardGoller]

Originally Posted by E92William

6000 miles? Probably not but why? Go to a junkyard and get a used sensor from preferably a crashed car and one that looks to have no oil in it for like 10 bucks and put it in, that's your cheapest way out

Do you mean why did I run it for 6k or why do I think it will damage the shaft? I was trying to find the issue all along, i replaced the solenoids, big disa valve in the mean time the water pump failed. I thought it was the timing or the chain but now that I pulled the valve cover I see some oil in the connector and at first I didn't think much of it but now I see a lot of people have similar problems

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by RichardGoller

I bought a car in May and since it had low idle around 550 rpm and some unrythmic thud and vibration coming from the engine, very slight you have to really listen to feel it and only when AC is off. I have now come to the conclusion that its the eccentric shaft sensor. When car is off in ISTA it says specified angle 0, actual angle 58 for the eccentric shaft. Will running the car for at least 6 000 miles with a failed eccentric shaft sensor damage the eccentric shaft it self? Pulled the valve cover, I can't see anything wrong, is it worth having a real BMW specialist have a look at it?

Failed sensor will throw a code and the DME will try to set the Eccentric can in full open 175 degrees , then it will use the throttle body to control airflow. Fuel economy and shitty throttle response will be the only thing you will notice. Maybe you will here a difference in air intake noises. Won't damage anything.

Pretty sure the sensor is actually two sensors in one housing. Sensors are set 180 degrees from each other, if the output values don't agree with each other the DME throws a fault and reverts to throttle body operation.

[RichardGoller]

Originally Posted by rjahl

Failed sensor will throw a code and the DME will try to set the Eccentric can in full open 175 degrees , then it will use the throttle body to control airflow. Fuel economy and shitty throttle response will be the only thing you will notice. Maybe you will here a difference in air intake noises. Won't damage anything.

Pretty sure the sensor is actually two sensors in one housing. Sensors are set 180 degrees from each other, if the output values don't agree with each other the DME throws a fault and reverts to throttle body operation.

I've heard cases where the sensor fails in a way that it doesn't trigger a fault code, but I will try to get it replaced on warranty

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by RichardGoller

I've heard cases where the sensor fails in a way that it doesn't trigger a fault code, but I will try to get it replaced on warranty

If the sensor fails, the DME will loose the ability to control engine load via the Valvetronic system.

The DME switches to an emergency mode locking the valvetronic fully rotated for maximum intake valve lift and the uses the throttle body to control engine load. In normal operation the valve body is mostly held fully open and load is controlled via intake valve lift.

BTW, emergency mode will limit engine RPM to 6500.