P0015 DTC exhaust camshaft timing retarded

[akhi2229]

I have this DTC P0015 popping up on my 128i. Was wondering if I can just change the sensor myself or is it advisable to go to the dealer?. I noticed this after my recent oil change. I found a few posts that said this FC acn be trigger by some oil sludge too. Hope I get some help from this forum!

[WrathOTM]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong the cam position sensors are right up under the valve cover under the head and are easily accessed. The sensors just below it are the Vanos solenoids which are easily accessed too. However I think the code can pop up from either sensor being faulty.

[Chorn519]

I have a similar issue getting a cel once or twice a week for cam timing over retarded bank 1 on cold starts only.

I changed both cam sensors first and it didn’t help. I then replaced the vanos mesh filters on the side of the block and they were clogged/filthy, the car instantly ran like new and MPG’s increased drastically but the damn cel popped up a few days later. I’m trying to figure it out still. Hopefully it’s not my vanos bolts or sprockets. Could be sludge related, maybe I need to start using 0w30 instead of 5w30 for easier cold starts. One of those things where it could be 5-6 different possibilities so I need to find someone with inpa to hook it up and figure it out.

[akhi2229]

This helps thanks! Just curious to know if you did it by yourself?

[Chorn519]

[QUOTE=akhi2229;30271672]This helps thanks! Just curious to know if you did it by yourself?
The cam sensors are tight spaced and passenger side is more difficult if you never done it before but I managed. The vanos mesh filters on the side of the block are difficult to get to and I had someone change them for me. If those mesh filters haven’t been cleaned/changed I would get them done as part of maintenance anyways. And make sure the car is cold from overnight because they expand/seal when the engine is warm.
Check the oil filter cap and vane also to make sure nothing is broken, that can also trigger the same code.

[akhi2229]

[QUOTE=Chorn519;30272111]

Originally Posted by akhi2229

This helps thanks! Just curious to know if you did it by yourself?
The cam sensors are tight spaced and passenger side is more difficult if you never done it before but I managed. The vanos mesh filters on the side of the block are difficult to get to and I had someone change them for me. If those mesh filters haven’t been cleaned/changed I would get them done as part of maintenance anyways. And make sure the car is cold from overnight because they expand/seal when the engine is warm.
Check the oil filter cap and vane also to make sure nothing is broken, that can also trigger the same code.

This helps thank you!. I just came back from the bmw service center and they are charging me $220 just for initial diagnosis. Instead I brought a pair of vanos solenoids and I'm going to attempt to fix it by myself. I think it is not a false fault code because the mileage has dropped dramatically and the vehicle is idling rough. Hopefully this fixes the problem.