N43 Multiple cylinder misfire

Heslop · Jan 1, 2020

Hi all. This is my first post. I bought a 2007 E81 118i a couple of months ago. It is fitted with the N43 engine.

I have got an amber engine management light on the dash and the car goes from driving with very little power and an obvious misfire to driving seemingly okay. I read the fault codes (P0300; P0302; P0303) which indicated cylinder 2 and cylinder 3 misfire. Other fault codes were P0507 (cruise control circuit open - as far as I know I do not have cruise control!) and P0172 (system too rich (bank1)). I replaced the coils for cylinders 2 and 3 and cleared the codes. I took the car for a run and again, the engine management light came on and the car was very lumpy and low on power. Again, it seems to pick up a bit sometimes. Again, I have the following fault codes: P0300; P0302; P0303.

I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next. Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any pointers anyone can give me.
Simon

Octavius · Jan 1, 2020

Could be worth checking the vanos solenoid.

Heslop · Jan 1, 2020

Octavius said:
Could be worth checking the vanos solenoid.

Thanks. What is this, what does it do, where is it, and how can I check it? (Apologies for my ignorance - I am an amateur!)

marco_polo · Jan 2, 2020

My money is on the injectors, #2 is possibly the worst?

Heslop · Jan 2, 2020

marco_polo said:
My money is on the injectors, #2 is possibly the worst?

I wondered about the injectors marco_polo but I thought that there would be fault codes relating to the injectors if they were faulty. Is that not necessarily the case? Is there any way I can know for sure whether the injectors need replacing? Or is it just a case of replacing them and seeing if that sorts the problem? Alternatively, is there any point in running injector cleaner through the fuel system?
Thanks,
Simon

marco_polo · Jan 2, 2020

Yes, you'll get codes like misfire detected, or cylinder too rich, but nothing is guaranteed.

If you remove the #2 spark plug and sniff it after it's been sat for a while, does it smell like petrol?

Heslop · Jan 2, 2020

marco_polo said:
Yes, you'll get codes like misfire detected, or cylinder too rich, but nothing is guaranteed.

If you remove the #2 spark plug and sniff it after it's been sat for a while, does it smell like petrol?

I thought there might be codes like "faulty injector"! I think that testing the injectors is going to be a bit beyond me and that I am going to have to take the car to a garage to be repaired.

Heslop · Jan 3, 2020

Actually, replacing the injectors looks relatively straightforward and like something I will be able to do. Can anyone advise whether I should replace all the injectors or just those for cylinders 2 and 3? Also, can anyone recommend which new injectors to use and where to source them?
Thanks,
Simon

AP1 · Jan 4, 2020

New injectors need the code inputting to the DME and also a new decoupling element. I found CP4LESS are cheapest for injectors . Elements dealer only.

Heslop · Jan 4, 2020

AP1 said:
New injectors need the code inputting to the DME and also a new decoupling element. I found CP4LESS are cheapest for injectors . Elements dealer only.

Thanks for your reply AP1. I have found a set of four injectors on ebay for £670.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...E87-E90-E60-1-3-5-Series-N43-N53-Petrol-Fuel-Injector-x-4-INDEX-11/263367496429

Does this look like a good deal?

Octavius · Jan 4, 2020

You need to get the fault professionally diagnosed before spending money like that.

Heslop · Jan 5, 2020

Octavius said:
You need to get the fault professionally diagnosed before spending money like that.

Okay. The local mechanic I use said not to just throw money at it. He said to try changing the spark plugs first. I am going to get in touch with a couple of local independent BMW specialist garages tomorrow. I will see what they say.

N43 Multiple cylinder misfire

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