Need Help! Rough running after VCG install...

Biginboca · 11-15-2017, 04:53 PM

I just finished up replacing my valve cover gasket and the engine is running pretty rough. Seems like it’s misfiring at idle and if I rev the motor it drops so low after it almost stalls out. I haven’t driven the car cause I’m kind of afraid to with it like this but after idling a few minutes it’s throwing no codes...

New Plugs and Coils 2 weeks ago

Everything running fine this morning before the gasket install

I also noticed this bit of the header/cat alrea is getting really hot, like glowing hot and this is just at idle. I snapped the pic below after idling the car for about 30 seconds. I’ve never looked at this piece before so don’t know if this is normal but I’m guessing it’s not?

N54_e90 · 11-15-2017, 04:57 PM

The pipe being that red definitely does not look normal, mine never got that hot.

Also for the rough idle, did you do the last step in this procedure? http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

Biginboca · 11-15-2017, 05:20 PM

I did the last step where you turn the ignition on and don’t start for 30 seconds of thats what you are taking about? I did that like 5 times with no change.

The only thing I did any differently from any of the tutorials I read was I reused the silver spark plug tubes. Couldn’t see any reason not to?

I’m wondering if one of my coils isn’t properly seated. I’m going to have to pull the engine cover again and take a look which is such a pain lol.

6ixSpd · 11-15-2017, 05:33 PM

Recheck your connections to your coils. I had the same issue and it turned out one of the coil connectors wasn't pushed in all the way.

It can't be anything else. You can't really mess up a VCG job to the point where things misfire unless something isn't reconnected properly in the ignition system.

Taking off the engine cover is easy peasy.

GoRomeo · 11-15-2017, 05:41 PM

yeah also fully inspect for sensor connectors, vacuum hoses etc...

Biginboca · 11-15-2017, 06:04 PM

Ok thanks guys. I swapped all my old coils back on it’s still running rough and misfiring. I know it’s one of the front 3 cylinders cause that glowing cat/header is coming off the front 3. I double checked all my coil connections when I swapped them and I double checked the injector harness.

So far no change I can’t stand it when my baby is sick lol!

Biginboca · 11-15-2017, 06:26 PM

What would make that cat/header glow like that? It’s the header off the front 3 cylinders so I know I need to look there.

Would running lean cause that? So I should check the injector connections?

Or would unburnt fuel getting into the cat cause that? So I should check the plugs and coils again?

matteblue3er · 11-15-2017, 09:07 PM

Most likely an improperly installed VVT motor.

Please stop spreading the rumor that cycling the key calibrates the VVT/ESS sensor. It does not. It's a self check to check shaft/motor operation and to make sure the limit stops can be reached without obstruction or other error. It does not relearn end stops.

You need an actual diagnostic tool to relearn the end stops. Or you can try manually backing out the VVT motor, re-seating it, and trying the self-test again.

The glowing header is most likely unburnt fuel (from misfiring) igniting in the cats.

matteblue3er · 11-15-2017, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazythedon

The pipe being that red definitely does not look normal, mine never got that hot.

Also for the rough idle, did you do the last step in this procedure? http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

This article even specifically states you need a diagnostic tool to relearn the end stop.

Don't mean to call you out but this is something I keep seeing on various forums and it needs to be corrected lol

CobraMarty · 11-16-2017, 09:05 AM

Intake Valvetronic explained very well by Bob from BPC. Start at 3:35

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+cylinder+head

Biginboca · 11-18-2017, 05:26 PM

Just wanted to update this thread. I pulled my valve cover off today and went back through the whole install. Didn’t really find anything obviously wrong but I was more careful about installing the motor that drives the eccentric cam.

This time I made sure it was under no tension on the gear it drives. Last time I think I installed it by screwing it in with an Allen wrench until it had tension on its gears then I screwed in the mounting bolts. Maybe that was wrong.

So anyway, I’m not really sure what it was, but the car working great now!

CobraMarty · 11-21-2017, 08:32 AM

11-15-2017, 04:53 PM	#1
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Need Help! Rough running after VCG install... I just finished up replacing my valve cover gasket and the engine is running pretty rough. Seems like it’s misfiring at idle and if I rev the motor it drops so low after it almost stalls out. I haven’t driven the car cause I’m kind of afraid to with it like this but after idling a few minutes it’s throwing no codes... New Plugs and Coils 2 weeks ago Everything running fine this morning before the gasket install I also noticed this bit of the header/cat alrea is getting really hot, like glowing hot and this is just at idle. I snapped the pic below after idling the car for about 30 seconds. I’ve never looked at this piece before so don’t know if this is normal but I’m guessing it’s not?
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11-15-2017, 04:57 PM	#2
N54_e90 Don 46 Rep 299 Posts Drives: '09 E90 335xi Family Sedan Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Your Mother's House iTrader: (0)	The pipe being that red definitely does not look normal, mine never got that hot. Also for the rough idle, did you do the last step in this procedure? http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm
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11-15-2017, 05:20 PM	#3
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	I did the last step where you turn the ignition on and don’t start for 30 seconds of thats what you are taking about? I did that like 5 times with no change. The only thing I did any differently from any of the tutorials I read was I reused the silver spark plug tubes. Couldn’t see any reason not to? I’m wondering if one of my coils isn’t properly seated. I’m going to have to pull the engine cover again and take a look which is such a pain lol.
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11-15-2017, 05:33 PM	#4
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,746 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	Recheck your connections to your coils. I had the same issue and it turned out one of the coil connectors wasn't pushed in all the way. It can't be anything else. You can't really mess up a VCG job to the point where things misfire unless something isn't reconnected properly in the ignition system. Taking off the engine cover is easy peasy. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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11-15-2017, 05:41 PM	#5
GoRomeo Brigadier General 964 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	yeah also fully inspect for sensor connectors, vacuum hoses etc...
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11-15-2017, 06:04 PM	#6
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Ok thanks guys. I swapped all my old coils back on it’s still running rough and misfiring. I know it’s one of the front 3 cylinders cause that glowing cat/header is coming off the front 3. I double checked all my coil connections when I swapped them and I double checked the injector harness. So far no change I can’t stand it when my baby is sick lol!
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11-15-2017, 06:26 PM	#7
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	What would make that cat/header glow like that? It’s the header off the front 3 cylinders so I know I need to look there. Would running lean cause that? So I should check the injector connections? Or would unburnt fuel getting into the cat cause that? So I should check the plugs and coils again?
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11-15-2017, 09:07 PM	#8
matteblue3er Captain 238 Rep 947 Posts Drives: Racecar Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Most likely an improperly installed VVT motor. Please stop spreading the rumor that cycling the key calibrates the VVT/ESS sensor. It does not. It's a self check to check shaft/motor operation and to make sure the limit stops can be reached without obstruction or other error. It does not relearn end stops. You need an actual diagnostic tool to relearn the end stops. Or you can try manually backing out the VVT motor, re-seating it, and trying the self-test again. The glowing header is most likely unburnt fuel (from misfiring) igniting in the cats.
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11-16-2017, 09:05 AM	#10
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	Intake Valvetronic explained very well by Bob from BPC. Start at 3:35 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+cylinder+head
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11-18-2017, 05:26 PM	#11
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Just wanted to update this thread. I pulled my valve cover off today and went back through the whole install. Didn’t really find anything obviously wrong but I was more careful about installing the motor that drives the eccentric cam. This time I made sure it was under no tension on the gear it drives. Last time I think I installed it by screwing it in with an Allen wrench until it had tension on its gears then I screwed in the mounting bolts. Maybe that was wrong. So anyway, I’m not really sure what it was, but the car working great now!
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11-21-2017, 08:32 AM	#12
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)
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