*Help* Engine Malfunction Light

[bimmerguy]

Hi, my ride is now at Kg Arang. While I know It's too late to ask, guess I just wish to know how much I have been ripped off by PM.
Well, last Friday 5.30pm, when I started E90 320 at Chai Chee car park, SUDDENLY 'Engine Malfunction' lighted on screen. And since I could still 'drive' it, the car literally crawled to Kg Arang at about 30-40 km/h. Obviously, at that time no one could check the car and worse weekends only servicing, I had to leave the car there till Monday.
In the afternoon, the CS called to advise that something VANOS and what sensor replacement and what programming would be required. And also for quite some time, there had been oil spill stain on engine tray and I complaint, when air in Auto circulation, some foul smell whenever I 'braked' the car, I was told gasket needed to be replaced.
The cost ==> a hefty $3,000+!!!! And they would need at least 2 man-days to fix the problems.
- My ride is already coming to 5yrs, what is this VANOS and how is it related to engine malfunction?
- Is it caused by how I have been 'pushing' the car?
- And why this gasket will cost close to $1,000? I used to just replace something gasket O-ring at much less that amount?

Hopefully you guys can better enlighten, while I am sure that PM must have ripped me off. But I am worried about the engine stuff, so I feel hopeless and agree with the replacements..... :errr:

 

[seanskye]

*Help* Engine Malfunction Light

The Vanos is BMW's variable valve timing system. Which part did they say is faulty? If it is the Vanos Eccentric Shaft Sensor, that part alone can be quite expensive even without counting labour.

You could get a second opinion since your ride was out of warranty (some of our non-AD site sponsors do work over the weekend as well), but since you mentioned your ride was stuck, perhaps you can try asking for a discount (note - I've never tried this before). The jobs (gasket change and Vanos ESS) have similar tasks so there can be some savings in labor between the two tasks, especially in opening up the engine.

While you are at it, ask them to check if the vacuum pump seal is leaking as well.

As for the smell, if you can rule out the smell coming from the brake pads (due to hard braking), it could likely be from engine oil leaking from the gasket and onto the engine-side exhaust manifold. Strong stench like burning rubber or oil.

 

[bimmerguy]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Thank you for the information.
Frankly, I was kinda lost among the terms the CS was trying to tell me. I vividly hear him mentioned that V word, which I later found out VANOS. He did mention about some vacuum pump and of course gasket.
I was not too sure about which sensor, but he did mention sensor and he seemed to 'drag' about the considerable programming time required.
I have been 'checking around' VANOS 'literature and videos, but there is no clear mention about whether the replacement is due to my style of driving or it is just the wear and tear. I frequently switch between D-DS-M. Will this have caused the problem? Also, somewhere someone also mentions about Battery, which I have it replaced recently by PM also.
I guess I can now only prepared myself to ask intelligent questions when they return the car to me.
OMG! 3k !!!

 

[seanskye]

*Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Ah, as suspected the vacuum pump seal too. The three jobs - vacuum pump seal, engine gasket, and Vanos eccentric shaft sensor - have a few tasks (removal for access) that are similar. It probably costs more in labor to do each of these repair jobs separately than for your case.

It may be a long shot, but check with them if they are giving you the manhour savings instead of simply adding up the standard labor hours for each job. Again, not even sure if this works. Even if it does, I doubt it will be much.

Good luck, at least there should be no more smell. Enjoy the ride.

 

[bimmerguy]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Thank you again.
Based on all my past servicings with PM, it is their pattern to charge labour SEPARATELY (haiz...) The part replacement+labour comes in a package individually.

BTW, any recommendation to replace the rear suspension - cost? The left rear cover broke and reveals the 'bone' chrome. As usual, PM quotes me about $800 for a pair (rear Left+Right). Something tell me this is bright daylight robbery

 

[Baby1M]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Thank you again.
Based on all my past servicings with PM, it is their pattern to charge labour SEPARATELY (haiz...) The part replacement+labour comes in a package individually........

AD does not practise like other site sponsors. AD follows what is practised in Germany whereby each individual items has its own labour units tagged to it, unfortunately.

 

[seanskye]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Every AD has it's fans and detractors. For me, I like PML for some things (especially their cakes and coffee, Me...ek will agree) and other non-AD site sponsor workshops for other things.

Anyway, since your ride is out of warranty, try calling up the other non-AD site sponsor workshops for a quote. I've pm'ed you a solid workshop.

 

[Meek]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Wei. Pls dun drag my name in... kns.

 

[seanskye]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Where got! I said Me........eeeeeekkk!

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

3 things comes to mind when it comes to the vanos - intake / exhaust solenoid, camshaft position sensors. Parts are cheap but need some labour to get to replace the parts.

I think could have save quite a bit of the cost if it has gone to a non-AD workshop.

IMHO - Being that the actual problem is not clear from your post - check with PML if they need to open the valve cover in addressing the "vanos" faults. If they don't need then just get it done by a site sponsor or even JB for a fraction of the PML cost for the oil leaks.

 

[redline15]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

BTW, any recommendation to replace the rear suspension - cost? The left rear cover broke and reveals the 'bone' chrome. As usual, PM quotes me about $800 for a pair (rear Left+Right). Something tell me this is bright daylight robbery

I got my rear absorber replaced for about $500 including parts and labour.

 

[redline15]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

I'm not sure if the Vanos is the same as the valvetronic but I recently had the gasket seals, o-rings and some vent hoses replaced due to engine oil leakage. At the same time, i changed the valvetronic motor and shaft sensor ($600+) to save on labour. Total cost was approx $1.8k including labour.

Hope this helps.

 

[chinweyngee]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

D-DS-M is gear box related

Thank you for the information.
Frankly, I was kinda lost among the terms the CS was trying to tell me. I vividly hear him mentioned that V word, which I later found out VANOS. He did mention about some vacuum pump and of course gasket.
I was not too sure about which sensor, but he did mention sensor and he seemed to 'drag' about the considerable programming time required.
I have been 'checking around' VANOS 'literature and videos, but there is no clear mention about whether the replacement is due to my style of driving or it is just the wear and tear. I frequently switch between D-DS-M. Will this have caused the problem? Also, somewhere someone also mentions about Battery, which I have it replaced recently by PM also.
I guess I can now only prepared myself to ask intelligent questions when they return the car to me.
OMG! 3k !!!

 

[chinweyngee]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

$850 for front & rear absorber
4 stopper & 2 front mounting
$65 for alignment
$150 labour
Total 1,400

Thank you again.
Based on all my past servicings with PM, it is their pattern to charge labour SEPARATELY (haiz...) The part replacement+labour comes in a package individually.

BTW, any recommendation to replace the rear suspension - cost? The left rear cover broke and reveals the 'bone' chrome. As usual, PM quotes me about $800 for a pair (rear Left+Right). Something tell me this is bright daylight robbery

 

[bhong]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Hi, i encountered similar "engine malfunction signal" 2 months ago. However, there is no "power loss" when I continued driving it with the signal on.

Decided to send to a workshop and was told that there is valvetronic motor fault. Went ahead to replace this motor. Within a month of the motor replacement, similar signal appears when my car stays stationary/idling (for about 15 mins). Workshop informed me that it is the same error code. Hence he cleared the code and ask me to monitor.

Yesterday, same signal appear when i left my car stationary/idling (engine on for more than 10 mins). Can any bro advise me the possible cause since appears always appear when i left the car stationary/idling?

Should i go back to the same workshop whom have diagnosed and replaced my valvetronic motor to re-diagnosis the root cause or change to a sponsor workshop?

 

[canuck78]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Hi, i encountered similar "engine malfunction signal" 2 months ago. However, there is no "power loss" when I continued driving it with the signal on.

Decided to send to a workshop and was told that there is valvetronic motor fault. Went ahead to replace this motor. Within a month of the motor replacement, similar signal appears when my car stays stationary/idling (for about 15 mins). Workshop informed me that it is the same error code. Hence he cleared the code and ask me to monitor.

Yesterday, same signal appear when i left my car stationary/idling (engine on for more than 10 mins). Can any bro advise me the possible cause since appears always appear when i left the car stationary/idling?

Should i go back to the same workshop whom have diagnosed and replaced my valvetronic motor to re-diagnosis the root cause or change to a sponsor workshop?

Twice bitten, you still wanna try a third time?

Suggest you get a 2nd opinion (different workshop).

 

[bhong]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

Thanks Canuck 78!

Updates:
Went to seek 2nd opinion from another workshop. Was told it should be valvetronic motor fault or shaft issue. He advised to go back to 1st workshop to seek replacement again since it should be under warranty. Hence, went back to 1st workshop for re-diagnostic. 1st Workshop advised me to upgrade "firmware". Will do so with the 1st workshop coming Saturday.

 

[canuck78]

Re: *Help* Engine Malfunction Light

H

Thanks Canuck 78!

Updates:
Went to seek 2nd opinion from another workshop. Was told it should be valvetronic motor fault or shaft issue. He advised to go back to 1st workshop to seek replacement again since it should be under warranty. Hence, went back to 1st workshop for re-diagnostic. 1st Workshop advised me to upgrade "firmware". Will do so with the 1st workshop coming Saturday.

Hi Bhong,

Good to hear. If it's the same part, then you should definitely claim warranty.

If this time still don't work, pls go to a sponsor WS to fix it good. Hope it all works out for you