[whyyoumontague]

2009 335i xdrive. I have been having a misfire issue that has been getting progressively worse. Code says P0305, so 5th cylinder misfire. I replaced the coil and the plug to no avail. The misfire is not present when cold, but as the car warms becomes brutal. I was trying to see if I maybe did something wrong or maybe happened to buy a faulty coil or plug so I was switching the new coil (5) with coil number 1, and the plug (5) with plug number 2. When I pulled out plug 2 it was DRIPPING oil. Like completely soaking in oil. No codes for cylinder 2 though and no smoke from motor ever. No other plugs have oil on them, completely dry.

I am counting back from the radiator, with cylinder 1 being closest to the radiator and 6 closest to the steering wheel. Am I confused about the order? 5 would make sense if you started counting at the back. Or maybe the car throwing a code for the wrong plug somehow? I’m so confused. Help me BMW gods.

I did search the forum for this, and found that it could be the gasket, but I imagined a gasket would coat all of the plugs in oil.

[dsjr2006]

Do you see oil in the spark plug wells if you look with a light?

Was the oil around the top of the plug or only on the spark side?

How many miles on the car and how long have you had it?

When did the misfire issue start? Any work done right before it started?

[whyyoumontague]

I looked with a light, and could not see oil in the wells. The plug from cylinder 2 had oil on the spark side and the top, including some that dripped from inside the coil. The car has 169k miles and I bought it one year ago. I began noticing a rough idle around 2 weeks ago but it was only rare when I would stop at a light and would mellow out before the light turned green. Now the misfire is noticeable constantly when warm. The only work done to the car since I’ve had it is I replaced the front passenger axle after I lost a battle with a pothole.

I have it all back together now with coils and spark plugs switched around and the misfire still reads cylinder 5.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Sounds like valve cover gasket. They tend to go around every 50k miles.

[whyyoumontague]

Okay I just ordered a valve cover gasket, should be here tomorrow and I’ll replace it and update. Thank you so far for the help.

[GoRomeo]

I need to do mine too. Few months ago when I replaced my coils and plugs, one or two of my plugs had lots of oil around them. I also have a broken bolt

[bluemonstr]

Originally Posted by whyyoumontague

Okay I just ordered a valve cover gasket, should be here tomorrow and I’ll replace it and update. Thank you so far for the help.

can't stress enough - when you finally get to the part where you remove the valve cover - GO SLOW. I believe that most that find their valve covers with 'cracks' are taking them off quickly or with a flat head screw driver and prying in one little spot trying to break it free. Go slow and carefully bring it up off the head and pry in different locations as you do it. Patience and you should have no issues.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by bluemonstr

can't stress enough - when you finally get to the part where you remove the valve cover - GO SLOW. I believe that most that find their valve covers with 'cracks' are taking them off quickly or with a flat head screw driver and prying in one little spot trying to break it free. Go slow and carefully bring it up off the head and pry in different locations as you do it. Patience and you should have no issues.

Yep, I took my time on my personal vehicle and still ended up cracking the VC (or it may have been cracked and I didn't notice).

Ended up doing the whole thing twice

[xForceGhost]

I had a similar issue with my previous E90. When I pulled the plugs and coils, 2 coils and a plug were dripping oil. Culprit turned out to be a busted VCG. Replaced it along with the plugs and coils and I was back at 100% the next day.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[whyyoumontague]

I am around 45% finished with this right now. Everything is disassembled and all bolts are loose, so I am just about to take off the VC. I am going to go as slow and be as careful as humanly possible. I am planning on using a putty knife to shimmy it off starting near the oil filter. Any advice where to move next to evenly get this baby off without cracking it?

Observations and issues I’ve had:

1. Somehow did not crack any of the injector wiring clips.
2. When removing the air filter housing and pulling the intake tubing off I made a giant mistake. I didn’t disconnect the tubing running to the front turbo recirculation valve, and while pulling back on that tubing it snapped the valve’s mounting spot (don’t know proper term) to the charge pipe. Pic attached. — Cobb aluminum charge pipe en route.
3. Broke my vacuum tubing and ordered some new silicone replacements.

3 hours in.

[335e92tx]

the joys of plastic parts in an engine bay that operates at 220degrees+ after 8 yrs.. Welcome to n54s as they age.

[whyyoumontague]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

the joys of plastic parts in an engine bay that operates at 220degrees+ after 8 yrs.. Welcome to n54s as they age.

I almost cried real tears when I found what had broken with my pulling.

[whyyoumontague]

I’m at wits end trying to put the VC on. The gasket just falls out EVERY TIME. I’ve tried over 10 times. Any advice?

[FEDE/E92]

Originally Posted by whyyoumontague

I’m at wits end trying to put the VC on. The gasket just falls out EVERY TIME. I’ve tried over 10 times. Any advice?

Use a bit on rtv between vc/VCG letbit dry it will stay in place.

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

Originally Posted by FEDE/E92

Use a bit on rtv between vc/VCG letbit dry it will stay in place.

This. Don't be afraid to use a touch on that back corner too. It's where most of 'em start leaking.

[whyyoumontague]

THE RTV WAS A GODSEND. Thank you. All is back assembled and running JUST LIKE IT WAS the valve cover gasket definitely needed to be replaced, It could have been original with how candy like it was.

After letting the car warm up and drive, completely unphased by my strife and cursing, that damned misfire on cylinder 5 back to haunt me. P0305 - severity 2/3 the code reader says.

Injector? HELP please

[feuer]

Originally Posted by FEDE/E92

Use a bit on rtv between vc/VCG letbit dry it will stay in place.

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

This. Don't be afraid to use a touch on that back corner too. It's where most of 'em start leaking.

I use 3m spray adhesive because from what I have seen working on these engines silicone doesn't adhere to these parts, especially the gasket, so when it start leaking is actually worse than without silicon.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by whyyoumontague

Injector? HELP please

Purchase replacement quickly as they are going up in price.

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

Originally Posted by feuer

I use 3m spray adhesive because from what I have seen working on these engines silicone doesn't adhere to these parts, especially the gasket, so when it start leaking is actually worse than without silicon.

There are many types of sealant. You'd need to read and make sure the type you use is the right kind.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

There are many types of sealant. You'd need to read and make sure the type you use is the right kind.

The shop uses Permatex high temperature red copper and black gasket maker. Neither adhere. I have not used any other brand. So yes, you might be correct.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by whyyoumontague

3. Broke my vacuum tubing and ordered some new silicone replacements.

If you are not ready to replace the charge pipe, clean the area very good and use Epoxy to clue it back together. I think I have stock charge pipe for sale if you don't wan to go aftermarket.

[whyyoumontague]

Originally Posted by feuer

If you are not ready to replace the charge pipe, clean the area very good and use Epoxy to clue it back together. I think I have stock charge pipe for sale if you don't wan to go aftermarket.

Thank you for the offer, and the advice. I purchased an ER chargepipe for it and installed it over the weekend.