E39 M5 S62 V8 Misfire - Any ideas?
Discussion
Anyone know of this issue with my 99 M5. Under full acceleration and getting close to the limiter, then shifting to 3rd etc and the engine is misfiring pretty badly and upset. Stop the car and engine, re-start and all is well again. This has happened 3 times and I suspected fuel starvation as it was uphill a bit and with a low tank, but triggered again last night with 50% tank, on the level and runing Optimax.
I would suspect the ECU, but its been fine until now and also seems a bit hesitant in 6th at motorway speeds.
Any ideas or suggestions of other forums?
Ta
M5Sime
I would suspect the ECU, but its been fine until now and also seems a bit hesitant in 6th at motorway speeds.
Any ideas or suggestions of other forums?
Ta
M5Sime
I have had a similar problem with my 99 M5. Cured after much hassle by a new crank angle sensor (Don't ask me what this is as I have no idea) and four new lambda sensors (£102+VAT each!) this seems to have cured it.
Hope this isn't what's causing yours as I am still in shock from paying for it all.
Good luck!
Hope this isn't what's causing yours as I am still in shock from paying for it all.
Good luck!
www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8171&PN=1&TPN=2
2nd post down, basically I 'think' its a vanos problem due to oil starvation when the engine oil is low, keep it topped up & it should be ok..
2nd post down, basically I 'think' its a vanos problem due to oil starvation when the engine oil is low, keep it topped up & it should be ok..
[quote=Úbermensch]www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8171&PN=1&TPN=2
2nd post down, basically I 'think' its a vanos problem due to oil starvation when the engine oil is low, keep it topped up & it should be ok..[/quote]
I have to say that the Oil does get low, but never under the minimum, and I checked recently and was at full.. I am due to go in for the Vanos Actuator shutoff valve mod under warranty in a few weeks, as I complained about the rattle at startup. I do not get any warning lights when the problem occurs. I will check the Oil again...
Thanks
2nd post down, basically I 'think' its a vanos problem due to oil starvation when the engine oil is low, keep it topped up & it should be ok..[/quote]
I have to say that the Oil does get low, but never under the minimum, and I checked recently and was at full.. I am due to go in for the Vanos Actuator shutoff valve mod under warranty in a few weeks, as I complained about the rattle at startup. I do not get any warning lights when the problem occurs. I will check the Oil again...
Thanks
dopamine said:
I have had a similar problem with my 99 M5. Cured after much hassle by a new crank angle sensor (Don't ask me what this is as I have no idea) and four new lambda sensors (£102+VAT each!) this seems to have cured it.
Hope this isn't what's causing yours as I am still in shock from paying for it all.
Good luck!
Hey Dopamine - Did you get any warning lights on the dash? and was this under full acceleration?
Hi M5Sime,
Well...as far as advice goes..check out the M5Board (if you already haven't)...
There are a few common problems with the S62, these are: Crank Sensor Failure, MAF Sensor failure (the thingy with the wire coming out of it between the plenum and the air filter (on both sides)...and also, VANOS. You problem is certainly likely to be one of the two former problems.
I am betting on a crank sensor problem. If its still under warrenty, its not a big deal. Take it to your dealer and they'll fix it.
If it was the crank sensor I would expect the SES light to come on...and the car to go into "Limp" mode just after the misfire. Does your's do this? (It will sound really wierd...be completely unresponsive and be very hesitant to rev...I think it should not go beyond 3k revs..i forget exactly..) It will return to "normal" mode if you switch it off for a bit.
If your's does not do this...it might be the MAF meters?
I think somewhere on the M5Board there is a post about cleaning the MAF sensor...might help.
Its been a while since I had a problem with mine...so I cannot remember all the symptoms!!
Get it to a dealer...its all you can do. (Just have your wallet ready if you don't have a warrenty...)
MrSBC
Well...as far as advice goes..check out the M5Board (if you already haven't)...
There are a few common problems with the S62, these are: Crank Sensor Failure, MAF Sensor failure (the thingy with the wire coming out of it between the plenum and the air filter (on both sides)...and also, VANOS. You problem is certainly likely to be one of the two former problems.
I am betting on a crank sensor problem. If its still under warrenty, its not a big deal. Take it to your dealer and they'll fix it.
If it was the crank sensor I would expect the SES light to come on...and the car to go into "Limp" mode just after the misfire. Does your's do this? (It will sound really wierd...be completely unresponsive and be very hesitant to rev...I think it should not go beyond 3k revs..i forget exactly..) It will return to "normal" mode if you switch it off for a bit.
If your's does not do this...it might be the MAF meters?
I think somewhere on the M5Board there is a post about cleaning the MAF sensor...might help.
Its been a while since I had a problem with mine...so I cannot remember all the symptoms!!
Get it to a dealer...its all you can do. (Just have your wallet ready if you don't have a warrenty...)
MrSBC
MrSBC said:
Hi M5Sime,
Well...as far as advice goes..check out the M5Board (if you already haven't)...
There are a few common problems with the S62, these are: Crank Sensor Failure, MAF Sensor failure (the thingy with the wire coming out of it between the plenum and the air filter (on both sides)...and also, VANOS. You problem is certainly likely to be one of the two former problems.
I am betting on a crank sensor problem. If its still under warrenty, its not a big deal. Take it to your dealer and they'll fix it.
If it was the crank sensor I would expect the SES light to come on...and the car to go into "Limp" mode just after the misfire. Does your's do this? (It will sound really wierd...be completely unresponsive and be very hesitant to rev...I think it should not go beyond 3k revs..i forget exactly..) It will return to "normal" mode if you switch it off for a bit.
If your's does not do this...it might be the MAF meters?
I think somewhere on the M5Board there is a post about cleaning the MAF sensor...might help.
Its been a while since I had a problem with mine...so I cannot remember all the symptoms!!
Get it to a dealer...its all you can do. (Just have your wallet ready if you don't have a warrenty...)
MrSBC
Thanks!
I have no warning lights at all, but your symptoms sound about right. The engine sounds very rough you get quite some feedback, lack of willingness to rev, no real power. When it first happened (I thought I pinged off the limiter amd upset it), I had nightmares of bent valves etc.
I have just registered with M5 forum and will post on there as well. I will have a nose around and she is booked in a week today for the Vanos Actuator valve fit to stop the dodgy rattle.
Cheers
M5Sime
Exactly the same thing happened while I was a passenger in my mates M5. We joked about my Alpina having far better manners than to complain about full accelleration!
Turns out they changed 2 lambda sensors (no real difference), cam sensor (helped a bit), 2 Mass air flow meters - cured the problem.
This was a 2000 car with new engine under warranty at 24,000 miles for excessive oil consumption.
Hit the dealer to fix it under goodwill as you are not alone and it's not good enough!
Dave.
Turns out they changed 2 lambda sensors (no real difference), cam sensor (helped a bit), 2 Mass air flow meters - cured the problem.
This was a 2000 car with new engine under warranty at 24,000 miles for excessive oil consumption.
Hit the dealer to fix it under goodwill as you are not alone and it's not good enough!
Dave.
davejw said:
Exactly the same thing happened while I was a passenger in my mates M5. We joked about my Alpina having far better manners than to complain about full accelleration!
Turns out they changed 2 lambda sensors (no real difference), cam sensor (helped a bit), 2 Mass air flow meters - cured the problem.
This was a 2000 car with new engine under warranty at 24,000 miles for excessive oil consumption.
Hit the dealer to fix it under goodwill as you are not alone and it's not good enough!
Dave.
A New engine under warranty for excessive oil consumption. I wonder what that means, as like TVRs, Oil consumption is a way of life for the M5. This must have been hard to persue I would have thought.
I have read many threads on the BMW sites and the MAF sensor, cleaning, replacing and all that good stuff seems to be an area of definite focus. Thanks for the comments.
Hello M8,
Sorry for not getting back sooner - have been away from my PC for a while. The problem was at about 3500 revs. Car would sort of die a bit, as if letting off the accellerator suddenly. It would then take off like an animal but not at all smoothly. The garage told me that the five sensors were giving incorrect info to the 'brain' which was in turn making the car do odd things... (I guess they were giving me the very 'layman' explanation
)
There were no warning lights.
Cheers
TC
Sorry for not getting back sooner - have been away from my PC for a while. The problem was at about 3500 revs. Car would sort of die a bit, as if letting off the accellerator suddenly. It would then take off like an animal but not at all smoothly. The garage told me that the five sensors were giving incorrect info to the 'brain' which was in turn making the car do odd things... (I guess they were giving me the very 'layman' explanation
) There were no warning lights.
Cheers
TC
M5Sime said:My M5 had a new engine block and pistons a few months ago - it's a common fault, due to BMWs use of nikasil in their engines (see The BMW Nikasil issue). Since the new block, oil consumption has been virtually nil - it really is a world of difference. And it feels much faster, as you'd expect coming from an engine with worn bores.
A New engine under warranty for excessive oil consumption. I wonder what that means, as like TVRs, Oil consumption is a way of life for the M5. This must have been hard to persue I would have thought.
I complained about excessive oil use and puffs of smoke from the rear under hard acceleration. That was all they needed to do a compression test and diagnose the wear. Something like £12K later (all under warranty) it was all sorted.
I'd recommend monitoring your oil usage - i'm sure BMW have guide max/min allowances - and reporting it to your dealer. There's certainly a few problems which affect M5s - sensors, vanos, bendy wheels etc. - I found my ex-Cerbera less trouble! But if you have the used warranty most of it'll be sorted FOC - unlike with TVR.
Marc
sitememory.com
futie said:
A New engine under warranty for excessive oil consumption. I wonder what that means, as like TVRs, Oil consumption is a way of life for the M5. This must have been hard to persue I would have thought.
My M5 had a new engine block and pistons a few months ago - it's a common fault, due to BMWs use of nikasil in their engines (see The BMW Nikasil issue). Since the new block, oil consumption has been virtually nil - it really is a world of difference. And it feels much faster, as you'd expect coming from an engine with worn bores.
I complained about excessive oil use and puffs of smoke from the rear under hard acceleration. That was all they needed to do a compression test and diagnose the wear. Something like £12K later (all under warranty) it was all sorted.
I'd recommend monitoring your oil usage - i'm sure BMW have guide max/min allowances - and reporting it to your dealer. There's certainly a few problems which affect M5s - sensors, vanos, bendy wheels etc. - I found my ex-Cerbera less trouble! But if you have the used warranty most of it'll be sorted FOC - unlike with TVR.
Marc
sitememory.com
Hi Futie,
I did a run though of the link and the use of Nikasil seemed to stop in 1999. As you have a 200 model M5 this seems a bit odd. Mine is a '99, but this is something I am going to monitor and review with them.
Its at Altwood Taplow today for the investigation and Vanos Actuator, so we'll see !
Cheers
m5Sime
I'm another M5 owner, So Hi 
There is a post on this website that sounds very similar to your problem www.bm3w.co.uk/
There is a post on this website that sounds very similar to your problem www.bm3w.co.uk/
Since we're talking gremlins, any ideas regarding a fairly severe 'from cold' trucculence?
In fact, until the car's had a good 4-5 minutes warmth coursing through it's tubes, it's about as reticent as you could imagine, really bad (think Steve Sutcliffe had the same thing with his car in Autocar?)
DeR.
In fact, until the car's had a good 4-5 minutes warmth coursing through it's tubes, it's about as reticent as you could imagine, really bad (think Steve Sutcliffe had the same thing with his car in Autocar?)
DeR.
derestrictor said:
In fact, until the car's had a good 4-5 minutes warmth coursing through it's tubes, it's about as reticent as you could imagine,
Sounds like the inlet gasket problem I had on my m3.
When cold they contract and let in air until they expand from the heat of the engine to form a good seal and the car stops 'hiccupping'.
>> Edited by AC79xxx on Tuesday 6th July 18:04
I am still awaiting the return of my car, but they mentioned something about a gasket they have ordered, whilst doing the Vanos Actuator upgrade and also investigating the misfire problem.
Mine has always been a rough runner from cold for the first 5 mins, after thats it is fine. As you say Steve Sutcliffe had this as well.
I will update this thread when I get all the info from the dealer.
Mine has always been a rough runner from cold for the first 5 mins, after thats it is fine. As you say Steve Sutcliffe had this as well.
I will update this thread when I get all the info from the dealer.
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