Most Common BMW M54 Engine Misfire Causes And Fixes E39 E46 X5 X3 For Business Contact : Nathan's BMW Workshop Po Box 115 Altenburg Mo 63732 nathan.youtube@yahoo.com
one more thing! VERY often overlooked and rarely mentioned: 🤓 The hydraulic lifters OFTEN clog and cause all kinds of engine fault codes, NONE of these codes actually mention to check the hydraulic lifters, they always "blame" another part. hence you end up replacing alot of parts which are still good without getting to the root cause. Try HYDRAULIC LIFTER CLEANING FLUID first, this stuff is meant to do just that, and it often really works! this is the simplest fix for your M54 engine, and you can't really hurt the engine with cleaner lifters, even if there is another fault as well.
I'm very curious to a more detailed video on that. Afaik Nathan has only mentioned in previous videos that "The clutch fan, basically does nothing" while that is, either too simple or probably not true. It is true that there is redundancy in the M54 cooling system. So, when there is no clutch fan, the aux-fan will maintain a decent cooling water temperature. The other way around, with a broken aux-fan, you can experience have good temperature too (unless you run the airconditioning AND it is a hot day, and you are stuck in traffic, then not). In my case the clutch fan really has a function. Without the ABS light comes on, thus the ABS computer likes the air-cooling. My hypothesis: The engine and its surrounding (plastic! ) parts don't like too high temperature differences, especially over time. Therefor the aircooling-part is there for a reason. It's part of the design (althought the m54 was the last engine designed in this way). The clutch needs to be good ofcourse. And such a fan has some disadvantages, it takes away some power, it can explode, hard to reach the belds. I only have 5% of the experience of Nathan. Still I would not remove it for a daily driver.
Hey, Nathan I have a M54 with a few codes, more recently a P0313 misfire with low fuel. Any idea where to start ? I've replaced the CCV with the kit from FCP. I do however have a mismatched coil would that effect anything ?
Had misfire because plugs were too long. Ebay bought in 2006 they use longer plugs. Shorter older ones. Not coil problem . I replaced everthing else and with intake and cvc disa throttle control valve. None of those caused it. Just wrong plugs.
So I'm looking up videos for various things and I keep seeing your videos pop up and I'm watching them and I'm learning how to fix each individual problem. You get a subscriber out of me bro. Thank you for showing us. Back in the day the only way you got this kind of information was out of a repair manual. Now the encyclopedia Britannica has mutated and turned into RU-vid.
Great video, Nathan. I have an M54 on my 2002 Z3 Coupe. Also, the cooling system needs a refresh at 10 years or 100k. Parts for that cost me about $750 and the job was easy.
Hey thanks for doing what you do to help the community. I'm having trouble with my e39 540i. I had 7 trouble codes. I changed all the coils and the spark plug. Dumped Lucas fuel Injector cleaner down the cylinder P1345 last code remaining. I changed the themostat. Crank position sensor. Spark plug coil and it's still having the cylinder 2 misfire code remains. Any other suggestions will be appreciated thanks 😊
Switch out your fuel injector with another cylinder, just cause you ran cleaner through it doesn't mean it is clean. You could try running cleaner through it in reverse after you pull it as well just incase a large chunk of gunk is stuck inside.
05 E46 M54, new fuel pump, new filter pressure regulator, doesn’t want to start but shot of ether, fires up runs great, perhaps a new video on this issue
Question: I was driving on highway, put a little bit of load and began misfiring and got code for misfire and fuel cut off on cylinder 5. My ignition coils were not wet even though I know my valve cover is leaking. I pulled out the spark plug for two cylinders and they had oil on thread and very little pebble like debris on the tips. I also noticed a fair amount of oil through the pvc tube that disconnects from the valve cover. I don't hear any knocking, more of a hissing noise. Any ideas?
The best thing to do is to get an up graded scan tool. It will tell you what causes the misfire. My N55 engine is misfiring and it told me that I have multiple misfire in all cylinders and number 6 injector is switched off I ordered 6 injectors and the coil to change on number 6.
If the Disa still holds good vacuum, the loose flap and pin can be replaced with a kit from German Auto Solutions for $70 instead of replacing the whole thing.
Great Video! Just got an 04 e46 2 weeks ago. Trailered it home as wasn't running. Replaced everything you just mentioned. ofhg,ccv, intake boots, disa o ring, alternator,belts, maf, plugs,coils,secondary air check valve and vacuum hoses. Runs pretty good now. Still a slight misfire on cold and hot starts for about 5 seconds. I noticed 3 vacuum ports on back of intake. 2 capped and one open. Should that be open? My secondary air check valve does not have a vacumm port and I assume that's what would go there and capped it. Was this right?
Hi, I’m having an issue with when i start it. Dies right out. Seem to be gasping for air. When pressed on the accelerator pedal. It wouldn’t go pass 2000 rpm. When let go the gas pedal. It dies.
I've got a weird one ive been chasing for a week. I've got an '02 E53. I did valve cover gasket and plugs all at once. I immediately got misfires on all 6, with fuel cutoff on 2 and 3. Plugs are brk6equp or whatever oem is. Did the coil boots just in case the resistance was too high. Unplugged maf, it ran better. Ordered a VDO maf, same issue. Took valve cover off again, gasket was perfect. Did the fuel pump about a year ago. CCV and intake boot was done less than 6 months ago. Idle air valve is clean. The only thing I noticed is that the DISA valve comes out with no resistance, and I can hear what almost sounds like whistling. Ordered a new o ring, should be in tomorrow. If not that, I guess fuel filter and maybe coils? All the codes are for lean conditions.
Did you break the ccv hard line when you changed the valve cover? also if you got the plugs offline they are more than likely Chinese clones and will only misfire and cause issues
@@NathansBMWWorkshop plugs came from autozone so who knows, but I've tried 2 sets. The ccv line is good, I disconnected it before removing the cover. The weird thing is the car runs fine under load. It doesn't feel down on power really, I can drive it no problem, though I'm not because I don't want to burn a valve or anything. At idle though, it shakes and you can hear the misfire.
@@NathansBMWWorkshop do you know if there's a vacuum diagram around the internet? I found one port blocked off, one open on the vacuum cylinder thing under the DISA, and one open on the side. Two open on the back of the manifold down by the starter. It still runs like crap, shaking badly and the lights are flickering.
I’ve watched a lot of RU-vid videos like everybody else, and most people just go off on tangents and start talking about all these other things you stick to the subject and you get to the point thank you other people just annoy the crap out of me
Just about 2 weeks i was ritp off for one mecanhic mobile " Blue Toro "" of Blacktown suburb near to sydney ,because i have a (" BMW") 2000 model 318i. I pay 350 dollars for nothing ,because destroy my car. !!
Love it ! Can we suggest the problem to be camshaft sensor on m52 with crank no start (cold) and start with no issues (warm) + missfires and (mechanical) vanos problem
What about a misfire that is only triggered after a hard acceleration? I keep getting it on cyl 5 or 6, no CEL switch the car off and back on and it runs normally again? New plugs and coils too
I’m getting 3 misfire codes - p1345 - can position sensor code -p0174 lean bank 2, p1347 fuel level sensor b cylinder 3 - no power cuts off and an awful ping once in a while - I’m going to start w cam position sensor - I’ve replaced coil packs and plugs some time ago - but the hard metal ping noise scares me to death - oil and car gage been meticulously cared for car gas 130k ( 535 m54 2001). Any other recommendations ( all boots etc we’re replaced about 10k ago )
I have an e30 M54B30 swap with intermittent misfire it seems. Happens randomly, after warm up. Completely cuts power, won’t even make it up a hill really. New plugs, injectors, and clear codes and it runs fine. Super confusing
Nice video! I recently had a misfire which did not throw a code. I replaced the DISA to no avail. Then I replaced the coils and spark plugs in my 80k miles 2006 BMW X3. That worked like a charm.
im getting a missfire on my cylinder 3 also cut off, code is p1347 just showed up two weeks ago, also got some lean air - fuel mixture as well.. on both banks
I've got a 2008 bmw 535xi that has a 3rd cylinder misfire and a terrible idle. And on hot start it run even rougher like it might not even make it home. I'm doing coil packs and plugs tonight so we'll see.
Any help? Just this night I was out and my 1999 2.3l z3 got stranded in the parking lot with a locked steering wheel and the car unable to turn on. Just before hand everythang was working normal and earlier right as I got into the car the steering wheel locked up and I didn’t think anythang of it since all I gotta do is turn the key and wheel and it unlocks, this time it stayed locked and I was unable to unlock it because when I put the key into the ignition the first turn all I hear is the ding go off letting me know the door is open as normal and once I turned it into the next position and It felt odd, normally I should feel some resistance from the ignition but it had none and nothing happened. No lights on the dash and in the next turn no crank or anythang, just silence. I tried over and over again to free the steering wheel and turn the car on but nothing was happening. It’s a 5 speed manual, headlights and amber lights still came on so it wasn’t a bad battery, tow guy tried to still jump it and it didn’t change nothing. My thoughts was that maybe the wheel locking up triggered some anti theft system or immobilizer or is somethang do to with the ignition switch but honestly I’m clueless. Any help and information is greatly appreciated as always!
this is by faaar the best video on the subject. my readout says misfire on cylinder 5 and it's a running misfire that's worse when cold. seems like a coil issue
Thanks for the great video Nathan! I replaced the starter myself since the shops wanted 1200± to do it, but once I got it back together, the a/c won't turn on. I checked and rechecked the wiring harnesses. Any obvious things I could be missing?
great vid, thanks. Question: i use WOW diagnostic on my x5 e53 3.0(m54), scannes says P1083/P1085; I`ve done vanos, ccv, valvecover gasket, no vacum leaks. Wow says bad O2 sensor, bank1/bank2. The fault on both banks came at the same time, so dont think its the O2 sensors. Could a bad Maf give faulty 02 sensor reading? Great channel, keep it up!
Nathan 1 thing I've noticed are that alot of people get a BMW they buy custom wheels , tint the windows & wax & polish it to no end. Spend the money & get it road worthy & then spend money on cosmetic choices. If you can't afford to do this then you can't afford to own a BMW. solid advice.
I have a 2005 E46 that’s runs and drives but stalls out of know where. Lights on dash come on and no power. Sometimes it starts back up other it won’t. Cranks ever time tho. Not sure what my issue is and either does two auto shops. Any help would be appreciated