128i - low mileage valve lifter replacement, eccentric shaft

[LuisBoston]

So these 128s are supposed to have very reliable engines. In Oct 2015 at 20,500 miles I had the service engine light come on and the dealer ended up replacing the eccentric shaft sensor, valve cover gasket, and eccentric sensor o-rings.

Fast forward to December 2016 and 24,500 miles, and service engine light comes on again. This time, with all six cylinders reporting a misfire, dealer replaces all intake and exhaust valve lifters and both vano units. They also replaced (again) the valve cover gasket.

So, such low mileage I think I should be very worried. Warranty is up in July.

What do y'all think? Anyone else have these problems with their 128i's? Do I have a lemon?

I also wrote to BMWNA informing them of the issue and my unease. I'll report what they respond with when I hear back.

[Bimmer-Bob]

I think the VCG & eccentric shaft parts are fairly common failures on these cars. Not common in the sense that they happen to a lot of people, necessarily, but still probably one of the most likely things to go wrong, if something were to fail.

I've been told by a mechanic that eventually the VCG will leak on these engines, but mine has always checked out okay. I just keep it in the back of my head and sort of consider it like a wear item. It seems like I've heard of the OFHG has another reoccuring point of failure. VANOS solenoids...I thought that was more a problem with older generation engines, guess the N52 is prone, too.

Anyway, AFAIK none of these issue are so widespread as to be causing panic on the forums, but I guess as these cars are now out of production and as they age more, we 'll be seeing more and more threads about mechanical failures and how people have dealt with them.

Seems very odd that your car would be having so many issues at such low mileage, however. My car's 3 years older with twice the miles, and has been rock-solid, really. Sometimes, I wish we had more than anecdotal data around here, but it is what it is. Good luck with BMWNA.

[E91WAG3N]

Valve Cover Gaskets and Oil Filter Housing Gaskets have been fail points on BMW inline 6's for a couple decades. It is a very common problem dating back to e36 generation m/s5x engines. It's a fairly easy DIY if you're mechanically inclined.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by ubersteuer

Valve Cover Gaskets and Oil Filter Housing Gaskets have been fail points on BMW inline 6's for a couple decades. It is a very common problem dating back to e36 generation m/s5x engines. It's a fairly easy DIY if you're mechanically inclined.

I appreciate the response. But with under 25k miles? Twice?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by LuisSF

So these 128s are supposed to have very reliable engines. In Oct 2015 at 20,500 miles I had the service engine light come on and the dealer ended up replacing the eccentric shaft sensor, valve cover gasket, and eccentric sensor o-rings.

Fast forward to December 2016 and 24,500 miles, and service engine light comes on again. This time, with all six cylinders reporting a misfire, dealer replaces all intake and exhaust valve lifters and both vano units. They also replaced (again) the valve cover gasket.

So, such low mileage I think I should be very worried. Warranty is up in July.

What do y'all think? Anyone else have these problems with their 128i's? Do I have a lemon?

I also wrote to BMWNA informing them of the issue and my unease. I'll report what they respond with when I hear back.

My 2013 N51 6-speed M-Sport with ~28k miles, DOB 2013-01-23, has had zero issues (knock on wood). It has been neither babied nor abused (much) and has only had the "free" maintenance done including an oil change at ~1200 miles and every 7500 miles thereafter.

Anecdotally, your's is the first N51/N52 I read about that has had these types of problems at such low mileage.

I would guess they replace the valve cover gasket anytime they open the valve cover. I would.

[hpux1560]

Just had my valve cover gasket, throttle body done under sulev warranty.
Mine is a 2012 128i convertible with 12,500 miles.
Oh and also a dme wire short (not covered).

This is on top of rear main crankshaft seal, a new convertible top because the defrost broke (covered) or I would just driven with no defroster. Oh and the convertible top sensor broke which bmw covered under good will.

I will keep the car a little while longer/as long as the sulev warranty is still active.

Can't wait to see what else will fail. Ugh.

[LuisBoston]

Just to keep those of you who responded posted, BMWNA has informed me they are extending my warranty for 3 years. I'll know more details tomorrow when I go to the dealer to sign paperwork.

[jdt10768]

Is there a detailed list of items covered under SULEV warranty? Please post if you have it
I’ll keep looking

[NorthernDancer]

Well I have an 08 with 62K miles. It is winter stored every year [4-6 months] so age wise, it is more like a 2011, even 2012. I've tracked it about 4 times (BMW HPDE). I have never has a "repair" until this spring when indy garage changed VGC, ESS & ESO's prior to track day. Before the repair, I removed the engine cover and did see oil leaking mostly from the ESS. At the advice of a "pro" [Rowsxxxxx] I'm keeping the engine cover off since it serves no purpose [other than making the engine look good] and hides potential problems.

I find all of your issues and solutions very strange [mis-fires=valve lifters?] but very wise that BMWNA is now involved and have given you extra warranty.

You live in Boston [I think] and there is a very active BMWCCA club there that you really should join. Very good technical advice and service information will come from fellow BMW owners.

[LuisBoston]

Thanks! I've been a member for 11 years. I'm not actively engaged, though.

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

You live in Boston [I think] and there is a very active BMWCCA club there that you really should join. Very good technical advice and service information will come from fellow BMW owners.