Engine Fault Reduced Power- Help!

[CKM]

I've recently bought a 2008 135i Coupe and I'm having a few issues hopefully someone can help me diagnose.

Every now and then the car wouldn't boost and it would just rev up as if it had no turbos, then ten minutes later I would get the 'engine fault-reduced power' warning which would disappear after restarting the car. Also, less frequently, under acceleration I would get a harsh (what felt like misfire?) jolt, like complete loss of power that only lasted for a split second.

I had a diagnostics done and the following codes came up;

002A87 DME Exhaust VANOS, mechanism 147896km
003100 DME Boost Pressure Control, deactivation. 147896km
0030FF DME Turbocharger, boost pressure too low. 148296km
005DEC DSC Performance reduction. 142960km


After doing a little research I figured the Exhaust vanos solonoid had failed and was causing the following fault codes to show also so I replaced it and disconnected the battery. The car ran great for two days but on the way home from work under acceleration in 3rd the car didnt boost and immediately the 'engine fault-reduced power' warning has returned.

Can anyone shed any light on the problem or should I just take it to a BMW specialist and swallow the £60 diagnostics again? Trouble is, I don't want them to just give me the fault codes I already have.

Thanks in advance.

[Ski Killset]

Sounds like maybe you have two different problems. The VANOS solenoid, they will intemittently throw codes because they get all gummed up. You can try cleaning them, made no difference on mine. I bought new ones from ECS Tuning for about $117 each. It's a ten minute swap.

[Ski Killset]

The other problem sounds like maybe a failing charge pipe. They are plastic and will crack and lose boost. VRSF has a metal one for less than $200.

[CKM]

Thank you for the reply. I have already replaced the solonoid so I will check out the charge pipe. Might sound silly but where abouts am I looking?

[Ski Killset]

Originally Posted by CKM

Thank you for the reply. I have already replaced the solonoid so I will check out the charge pipe. Might sound silly but where abouts am I looking?

It is the plastic pipe that goes from the outlet of the intercooler to the throttlebody.

I replaced my solenoids and still get CELs and limp mode.

Search "cam ledger"

[Andrew517]

I'm also experienced the popped up of Engine Warning Light, however, the computer did not pop-up untill I step down a bit further to pick up the speed... The signal disappeared when I re-started the car untill I repeated the action of picking up the speed or sudden overtaking.

I took the car back to dealer for checking today, however, it would be appreciated if anyone can share your experience and knowledge. Thank you!

[MIAblu1]

Doubt I'm of any help, just giving my experience, but I was having that issue a while back, almost a year ago and once recently... I typically pull over, and restart the car and car goes back to normal. What made it stop previously was changing my plugs. I'm getting the feeling the last recent time it did it to me is because of misfire from one or more coilpacks. And my 135i is an '08 as well btw.

[Andrew517]

Originally Posted by MIAblu1

Doubt I'm of any help, just giving my experience, but I was having that issue a while back, almost a year ago and once recently... I typically pull over, and restart the car and car goes back to normal. What made it stop previously was changing my plugs. I'm getting the feeling the last recent time it did it to me is because of misfire from one or more coilpacks. And my 135i is an '08 as well btw.

Would it be in any case that related to failure of turbo or mass air flow sensor?

[Andrew517]

The dealer told me the warning light on was due to crack found on the charge pipe.