2011 BMW X5 Xdrive50i "Engine Malfunction: Reduced power mode"

[bornleo369]

Hello Bimmers,
First time bimmer here and I am in horrible situation.
I bought car exactly a month(sep 2019) ago and a week ago I was driving on highway and all of sudden check engine light came on with a message "Engine Malfunction: Reduced power mode".
Immediately I took it to BMW north of milwaukee dealership, they did the diagnosis and said vanos solenoid exhaust bank 1 and 2 have gone bad. So I changed bank 1 & bank 2 for both EXHAUST as well as INTAKE.
After changing and spending like $1500 still the message is there and now they are saying that they found metal debris in new solenoids too which were just installed by them. I told them change the engine oil. They did it but still debris was there.
Now, they are saying that timing chain may have been stretched and said i need to change that and are quoting $5500 more. They are just guessing and each time they say we are not sure if this could fix the problem.

I am shattered. I am baffled.
Can anyone help me and suggest me fixing this issue? I will be highly grateful to you.
Car is till in the shop.

Regards,
AL

[Sophisticated Redneck]

First thing, order the foxwell nt510 scanner with the BMW software off Amazon and pull the codes. Report back here with that you find.

Second go here: https://www.bmwusa.com/safety-and-emission-recalls.html and put in your VIN

There was a recall that replaced the timing chains on your engine, if it's been done already it won't show it's available.

Metal shavings in the vanos solenoids caused by the timing chain is a new one on me, never heard of that. Highly suspect these folks know what they are doing....if it is metsl shavings you have much bigger issues to worry about as this usually indicates bearing failure, give us more details on how the at ran (did it just die, did it still run but reduced power, would the error go away after restart then come back?)we need the codes from your car to know more. It could be as simple as just the plugs or coils, which are very common to go out. You have next to the most expensive engine to work on, you need to be armed and know what is going on or you are going to get worked over hard, and not even get a complimentary reach-around....

[X5 MAN]

You must have bought the 2011 X5 50i for around 12k

Its a money pit.

Trade it in before you throw good money after bad money pit.

[bornleo369]

The car is running. Half yellow check engine light came On. When i start the car, the light goes away for like 5 secs and comes back with message "Engine Malfunction: Reduced power mode".
Spark plugs and coils were changed in Dec 2017 but since then only 10,000 miles have been added in last 2 years.
Codes coming: P0015; P0305; P0304; P0305;

I am freaked out about the misfire code and metal shavings present in motor oil.

I read on different forums and I got to know that VANOS Bolts may be the reason as they get sheared after every two years and the metal debris falls on timing chain.

But again I am not sure.

Please advice.

[bornleo369]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

You must have bought the 2011 X5 50i for around 12k

Its a money pit.

Trade it in before you throw good money after bad money pit.

@X5 Man

Who will trade-in a check engine light On vehicle?

If you know the cause of the issue, let me know. Would appreciate it.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by bornleo369

The car is running. Half yellow check engine light came On. When i start the car, the light goes away for like 5 secs and comes back with message "Engine Malfunction: Reduced power mode".
Spark plugs and coils were changed in Dec 2017 but since then only 10,000 miles have been added in last 2 years.
Codes coming: P0015; P0305; P0304; P0305;

I am freaked out about the misfire code and metal shavings present in motor oil.

I read on different forums and I got to know that VANOS Bolts may be the reason as they get sheared after every two years and the metal debris falls on timing chain.

But again I am not sure.

Please advice.

I'm assuming you don't want to do the work yourself so I would take the car to a good independent shop that friends recommend, and have them thoroughly inspect the oil for any metal fragments if you have a spun bearing that is allowing metal fragments to reach the vanos it will surely be seen in the rest of the oil.

I still find it hard to believe that it is a spun bearing reaching the vanos is that is pretty unheard of on the n63 engine. If they cannot find any metal fragments in the oil and everything checks out I would still take a sample of your oil and have it sent in for analysis just to be one hundred percent sure and in the meantime I would start eliminating the easy variables such as a faulty camshaft position sensor which is very easy to replace on the n63.

Have the vanos solenoids either properly cleaned or replaced again and also replace the ignition coil and spark plugs on cylinders 4 and 5 for good measure since you have misfire codes on those.also have your entire CCV system thoroughly checked a vacuum leak will cause multiple misfire codes and can be as simple as a broken CCV line which can be hard to spot as they are corrugated and cracks can often hide in the recesses. I have the exact same X5 with 150,000 miles on it so I know the engine pretty well. If you have anymore questions let me know.

X5man does have a point this is an extremely expensive vehicle to work on and unless you personally know a mechanic or can do all the work yourself or have one hell of a warranty I don't recommend you keep this after you get it back on its feet. I do all my own work and the only reason why I keep mine. Parts really arent that bad, it's the labor since it's such a complicated setup that gets ya

[bornleo369]

@Sophisticated Redneck

Thank you so much for your valuable advice. I will tell the technician to check for faulty camshaft position sensor.
H However, current miles on car 120,455 and things which have been replaced in the car at 110,000 (2 years ago) are as followed:

Replaced all crankcase & vent tube and hoses.
Fuel injection cleaning and fuel optimizer services performed.
Replaced all leaking turbo coolant lines and hoses.
Put in brand new battery.
Fuel pump replaced as part of BMW recall.
Replaced all 8 fuel injectors and all 8 sparkplugs.

I paid $4595 for all this in BMW dealership on 6th Dec 2017.

After putting so much money and driving only 10,000 miles since then I am facing this many issues.
Technician is looking at it and says he will try to diagnose. Cost I have spent since last week since it is in the shop $700.

They (BMW dealership) hasn't listed COILS being replaced when the spark plugs were changed.


Question to you: Would they change coils too when changing the spark plugs? because in invoice i do not see changing coils just spark plugs.

[X5MBeast]

If it’s not on the invoice they didn’t change it. Plus you would know if the coils where changed. They are more expensive then the spark plugs. 8 coils at 60 a pop is a pretty penny. $460

You could also pull coil number 6 or 7 and see if it’s an old style plug or current one. That coil take 2 minutes to get pull out.

Coil 6 or 7 is on the driver side

[bornleo369]

X5MBeast

I am thinking of changing ignition coils of cylinder 4 5 6 7
Camshaft position sensor
Vanos "bolts"

[NorthCountryGuy]

Originally Posted by bornleo369

X5MBeast

I am thinking of changing ignition coils of cylinder 4 5 6 7
Camshaft position sensor
Vanos "bolts"

Changing only 50% of the coils may not be a thing to do...

[X5MBeast]

I would figure why you have metal in the engine first before doing anything else. Coils are the least of your problem. You could pick up a set of coils, but if you have metal in the engine then you have a engine on borrowed if you keep driving it.

Do your own oil sample or find a IRF (independent repair facility) that you trust to) diagnosis why you have metal in the engine. That might help you figure what kind of metal, if there is any; floating around in the engine.

[bornleo369]

@NorthCountryGuy

Then what needs to be done? Since i am getting misfires in cylinder 5 6 & 7.

@X5MBeast

I have read in multiple people having same issue of metal in oil and primary cause is VANOS bolt shearing and causing debris in engine oil. In worst cases the bolts backs out of the camshaft which is catastrophic to the engine.

I am counting on that.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by bornleo369

@Sophisticated Redneck

Thank you so much for your valuable advice. I will tell the technician to check for faulty camshaft position sensor.
H However, current miles on car 120,455 and things which have been replaced in the car at 110,000 (2 years ago) are as followed:

Replaced all crankcase & vent tube and hoses.
Fuel injection cleaning and fuel optimizer services performed.
Replaced all leaking turbo coolant lines and hoses.
Put in brand new battery.
Fuel pump replaced as part of BMW recall.
Replaced all 8 fuel injectors and all 8 sparkplugs.

I paid $4595 for all this in BMW dealership on 6th Dec 2017.

After putting so much money and driving only 10,000 miles since then I am facing this many issues.
Technician is looking at it and says he will try to diagnose. Cost I have spent since last week since it is in the shop $700.

They (BMW dealership) hasn't listed COILS being replaced when the spark plugs were changed.


Question to you: Would they change coils too when changing the spark plugs? because in invoice i do not see changing coils just spark plugs.

As others have mentioned, if it isn't on the repair sheet they didn't do it. Coils are one of the easiest things to do they should be done at 80K (absolutely by 100K) on the N63. It frys its coils early due to the extreme temps the engine encounters. This is something you can save alot of money on if you do it yourself, if your not into that then you can still save alot of money going to a good independent. Either go with OEM from the Dealer if you have the cash to burn or go with aftermarket from Eldor or Bremi as they are both excellent (Eldor is the best IMHO). Avoid aftermarket Bosch, to many counterfeits. Delphi are decent.

The big question is how F'ed is your engine? If you really have metal fragments, you looking at a rebuild/new engine. Even if the fragments are just from the chain due to busted guides, chances are they are also in your bearing journals if they are showing up in your vanos screens doing major damage or its a spun bearing, either way you are looking a complete engine rebuild or replacement sooner or later


1 - before investing any more money, have your oil drained again and have the techs thoroughly go analyze for any metal fragments.

2 - If none found - send a sample in to have Analyzed by professional lab like blackstone (will take a week or so for turn around, In mean time have the coils replaced on the misfire Cylinders (if you plan on keeping the X5 no matter what, then just replace them all.) and replace the cam sensors. Run just enough to test.

3 - If coils and cam sensors fix it great! Don't start driving yet though until results from lab are back. If coils and sensors dont do anything, wait for results...If clean your call on if you want to chase the bad parts or so say screw it and get new engine, if results say its metal in oil, then rebuild or replacement engine is only way to go.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by bornleo369

@NorthCountryGuy

Then what needs to be done? Since i am getting misfires in cylinder 5 6 & 7.

@X5MBeast

I have read in multiple people having same issue of metal in oil and primary cause is VANOS bolt shearing and causing debris in engine oil. In worst cases the bolts backs out of the camshaft which is catastrophic to the engine.

I am counting on that.

Can you post links about the vanos bolt shearing you have found? I have not heard of this on the N63 engine before.

I could really only see that happening if the bolt was reused for some reason.

[bornleo369]

@Sophisticated Redneck

Thanks for your advice.
Right now I will tell the technician to change coils and change the Vanos bolts and see if the check engine light and that ENGINE REDUCED POWER goes away.

As I mentioned before, i am just assuming it may be those bolts.

Please see the thread for vanos bolt shearing.
http://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/x5/...e-problems.php

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by bornleo369

@Sophisticated Redneck

Thanks for your advice.
Right now I will tell the technician to change coils and change the Vanos bolts and see if the check engine light and that ENGINE REDUCED POWER goes away.

As I mentioned before, i am just assuming it may be those bolts.

Please see the thread for vanos bolt shearing.
http://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/x5/...e-problems.php

Originally Posted by bornleo369

@Sophisticated Redneck

Thanks for your advice.
Right now I will tell the technician to change coils and change the Vanos bolts and see if the check engine light and that ENGINE REDUCED POWER goes away.

As I mentioned before, i am just assuming it may be those bolts.

Please see the thread for vanos bolt shearing.
http://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/x5/...e-problems.php

Ty for the link, so the Vanos bolt recall issues is actually on the N55 engine (X5 35i models. You have the N63 and it doesn't have that issue. If the bolt did sheer, it would usually cause major engine damage and would not run at all.

What you might have the tech check though is the Cam timing as it is possible the adjuster is off and adjuster itself, I have mine torn down at the moment (well for almost a month now thanks to work/life) so I went out and checked out the Vanos system actually works. Below are some pics.. You can see how in the head where the solenoids go there is a central oil feed port and then two side ports that run up to the camshaft bearing journal, here you can see how the cam has oil seal rings and internal passageways that direct the oil flow to the central hub in the cam where the cam adjusters are. I cant see how metal shavings from the chain could every reach the solenoids as it would get filtered first, I can see how metal shavings from a failed cam adjuster could possibly work its way back to the solenoid.

As far as I know there is a internal test the BMW tech can run on the Vanos system. I would be highly suspect of the cam timing/ cam adjuster itself.

[NorthCountryGuy]

^Excellent images and description.
Thanks Red.

[bornleo369]

@Redneck

Thanks for detailed description. The cam adjuster you are referring to, do I need to remove the timing chain to correct the adjuster? If yes then it’s too much work and money.

I am waiting for technician to call me but technician said he is getting one specific code multiple times which is :
2A81
Intake vanos (variable camshaft timing control) activation 2

Any idea what could be the reason for this?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

@NothCountryGuy - Ty, =)

Originally Posted by bornleo369

@Redneck

Thanks for detailed description. The cam adjuster you are referring to, do I need to remove the timing chain to correct the adjuster? If yes then it’s too much work and money.

I am waiting for technician to call me but technician said he is getting one specific code multiple times which is :
2A81
Intake vanos (variable camshaft timing control) activation 2

Any idea what could be the reason for this?

NP, happy to help. Since you have already replaced the solenoids, If it were me, I would just replace the entire Cam adjuster unit (they look to be around 300ish) and most likely the source of the metal shavings . You dont have to completely remove the timing chain to do it but it does require special tools and expect at least a 20 hour labor bill as it takes about 10 hours just to get the valve cover off alone. Once the valve cover is off and they have access to the timing chain tensioner, it takes less then 30 min to pop off the old timing adjuster and put on a new one and set the timing... (watch this video to see more about how your engine cam adjusters are removed and timing is set:

) All the work and expense is just getting to the adjuster. Also This should be a no-brainer for whoever is doing the work but make sure they replace the Vanos bolt, its a one-time use only.

[bornleo369]

Thanks all for the suggestions.
The problem has been rectified. Turns out that bank 1 exhaust and bank 2 intake solenoids were bad. Changed and replaced.
No metal present in oil filter and technician said there are no metal shavings in oil.

Now no fault codes are coming . no check engine light on.

CAR RUNS LIKE A MOFO BEAST.

Thanks once again.

[Clovus6981]

Originally Posted by bornleo369

Thanks all for the suggestions.
The problem has been rectified. Turns out that bank 1 exhaust and bank 2 intake solenoids were bad. Changed and replaced.
No metal present in oil filter and technician said there are no metal shavings in oil.

Now no fault codes are coming . no check engine light on.

CAR RUNS LIKE A MOFO BEAST.

Thanks once again.

Do you mean the exhaust and intake vanos solenoids were replaced and fixed your problems?