N52 rpm fluctuation and engine vibrating

Hotter · 06-03-2018, 12:11 PM

Hi, my E92 328i 2009 engine started to shake a bit and rpm fluctuates a bit also. I think it happens at idle only, or hard to notice while running.

Video:

In auto repair shop they found leaking valve cover, I thought great they found an issue vacuum leak! They replaced entire valve cover and gasket also spark plugs. But that did not resolve the problem. The error about mass air flow sensor appeared so they changed it. Still does not solve the problem. They are saying there could be some king of issue with camshaft will be looking at it tomorrow.
I spent some money and all parts were good already... Would be nice to know the real issue.... Can it be camshaft? Maybe you had similar problem? What could be wrong?

Hotter · 06-05-2018, 10:17 AM

They did not find anything in a BMW auto repair shop... They said to wait for error codes.
Could it be dirty Vanos solenoid or still vacuum leak somewhere?
Could I test that by disconnecting MAF sensor? If idle is good with it disconnected it means the problem is vacuum leak?

AoS810 · 06-05-2018, 10:24 AM

I had similar jumpy RPM when my crankshaft sensor went bad. Although that was also giving me long cranks (4-5 seconds) at start-up, and the rpm needle jumped both at idle and while the car was cruising on the highway. It also threw a code that the crankshaft sensor was bad.. so in your position I'd wait to see if it gets worse and throws a code as you seem to have thrown money at repairs that aren't fixing it, sorry to hear that!

Hotter · 06-05-2018, 01:32 PM

Thanks for sharing. I thought it would be better to fix it sooner that it wont do any damage or so, but it seems that its not so easy to find problem. I will try to wait for an error code.

Hotter · 06-06-2018, 01:48 PM

I took a car from auto repair shop and I am mad and speechless... I found 2 screws just laying around under the hood, also car had dirty floors with oil or something...

Anyways... On the way home I got service engine soon light. I read error codes:

Maybe anyone could comment on error codes? I will take car back tomorrow to auto repair shop and will try to talk, so if I would have any insight for them what to tell would be helpful... Did they put valve cover badly?

There were no error codes before...

Saico · 06-07-2018, 12:19 PM

You need INPA and live values to see whats wrong. Possibly:
- lambda sensors/wiring
- air leak
- fuel pump/regulator
- camshaft sensor

socalbimmernoypi03 · 06-13-2018, 11:08 AM

I have had this issue before. Check for the crankshaft vent return hose ( I think that is what it's called) at the very back of the engine. That part cracks easily and is often missed by the techs. It is a plastic hose wrapped in black protective foam with a sensor wire attached to it.

06-03-2018, 12:11 PM	#1
Hotter First Lieutenant 72 Rep 381 Posts Drives: BMW E92 328i -> 330i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	N52 rpm fluctuation and engine vibrating Hi, my E92 328i 2009 engine started to shake a bit and rpm fluctuates a bit also. I think it happens at idle only, or hard to notice while running. Video: In auto repair shop they found leaking valve cover, I thought great they found an issue vacuum leak! They replaced entire valve cover and gasket also spark plugs. But that did not resolve the problem. The error about mass air flow sensor appeared so they changed it. Still does not solve the problem. They are saying there could be some king of issue with camshaft will be looking at it tomorrow. I spent some money and all parts were good already... Would be nice to know the real issue.... Can it be camshaft? Maybe you had similar problem? What could be wrong? Last edited by Hotter; 06-03-2018 at 12:28 PM..
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06-05-2018, 10:17 AM	#2
Hotter First Lieutenant 72 Rep 381 Posts Drives: BMW E92 328i -> 330i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	They did not find anything in a BMW auto repair shop... They said to wait for error codes. Could it be dirty Vanos solenoid or still vacuum leak somewhere? Could I test that by disconnecting MAF sensor? If idle is good with it disconnected it means the problem is vacuum leak?
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06-05-2018, 10:24 AM	#3
AoS810 Lieutenant 97 Rep 414 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 N51, 2011 E91 N52 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (6)	I had similar jumpy RPM when my crankshaft sensor went bad. Although that was also giving me long cranks (4-5 seconds) at start-up, and the rpm needle jumped both at idle and while the car was cruising on the highway. It also threw a code that the crankshaft sensor was bad.. so in your position I'd wait to see if it gets worse and throws a code as you seem to have thrown money at repairs that aren't fixing it, sorry to hear that!
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06-05-2018, 01:32 PM	#4
Hotter First Lieutenant 72 Rep 381 Posts Drives: BMW E92 328i -> 330i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing. I thought it would be better to fix it sooner that it wont do any damage or so, but it seems that its not so easy to find problem. I will try to wait for an error code.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2018, 01:48 PM	#5
Hotter First Lieutenant 72 Rep 381 Posts Drives: BMW E92 328i -> 330i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	I took a car from auto repair shop and I am mad and speechless... I found 2 screws just laying around under the hood, also car had dirty floors with oil or something... Anyways... On the way home I got service engine soon light. I read error codes: Maybe anyone could comment on error codes? I will take car back tomorrow to auto repair shop and will try to talk, so if I would have any insight for them what to tell would be helpful... Did they put valve cover badly? There were no error codes before...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2018, 12:19 PM	#6
Saico Private 30 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: May 2018 Location: PL iTrader: (0)	You need INPA and live values to see whats wrong. Possibly: - lambda sensors/wiring - air leak - fuel pump/regulator - camshaft sensor
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06-13-2018, 11:08 AM	#7
socalbimmernoypi03 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i E90 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	I have had this issue before. Check for the crankshaft vent return hose ( I think that is what it's called) at the very back of the engine. That part cracks easily and is often missed by the techs. It is a plastic hose wrapped in black protective foam with a sensor wire attached to it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote