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E61 Poor mpg and emissions light |
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richd
Forum Member Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Location: Axminster Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 9:59am |
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I have a 2004 E61 530D, 140k on the clock. Last year I had a few emissions issues, and I ended up replacing the EGR valve, the MAF sensor, the EGR vacuum converter valve and its vacuum piping. That cured the emissions warnings, and gave me an average 32-34mpg.
Just before last Christmas I had a local garage fit a new starter motor, straight afterwards I noticed a drop in mpg down to 26.6. and I also started getting the odd emissions message. I gathered that the inlet manifold had to come off to fit the starter. It was suggested that in fitting the starter, either a vacuum hose was damaged, or the vacuum converter was damaged, so I bit the bullet and took the manifold off - what a palaver........!! The upshot was that I could find nothing visually wrong with the vacuum valve, and the hoses looked OK too, though as a precaution I replaced the hoses. I had intended replacing the vacuum valve at the same time, but sadly I had bought the wrong valve! So that was left in place. I have tried running the engine and checking for vacuum at the EGR end of the blue hose, with the engine at idle, and also at 1500 rpm, there did not appear to be any vacuum in either case - I think I am right in saying that the EGR should be open at idle? Any way, to me this does suggest the vacuum valve is kaput, but as it is less than 12 months old, and it does look in perfect condition, is there anything else that could cause lack of vacuum? There is no sign of any hissing noise, and from the way the engine runs, the turbo vanes are working as they should. I am trying to avoid taking the manifold off again if possible, so can anyone suggest anything else that could be at fault? I should add that the mpg has remained at 26.6 -26.9 ever since the starter was fitted, even towing a caravan!! Thanks!
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If in doubt and all else fails - read the instructions!
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Brian4
Club Member Joined: 21 Jan 2014 Location: Leicestershire Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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One thing the 3.0 diesels suffer from is failed thermostats either the EGR one or Main stat and the engine then runs at mid 70c rather that 90c. With the engine running cool the ECU will still think it is cold and overfuel so could be some of your emissions issue. Best to get it too a specialist with diagnostics and they will look at any engine codes.
There is a way of accessing the engine temperature via the 'hidden menu' on the dash.
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issus
Region Chair Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 1337 |
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Richard
Before you spend anymore money/time please get a diagnosis done on your car! You could do this yourself if you bought the right type of kit. Avoid at all costs the cheap Bluetooth adaptors so beloved on Ebay and Amazon. If you take yr car to BMW Franchise expect to pay approx. £75.00 for a diagnostic check. Indies are about £20 to £50.00 depending on who you know. Not sure about your local garage as to replace the EGR valve is pretty rare and they rarely fail. Try Redish Automotive near Bristol(in the mag too!) they appear to be pretty good. Please keep the forum informed how you get on. See chart below; Forza West - have heard good things about them: South West
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E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever
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richd
Forum Member Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Location: Axminster Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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I already know all about the thermostats - I keep a careful check on that to avoid DPF issues. Both stats on mine are working normally. So they are at least ruled out!
When the car was last in the garage, (a BMW indy) a check showed the EGR system to be the problem, but didn't specify what part in particular. As it all seemed OK up until the starter was fitted, something was clearly disturbed/damaged/broken during that fitment, as the mpg dropped straight afterwards. Unfortunately it was not possible to take the car back to the garage that did the starter at the time for them to look at, and as they were just a general garage, I felt a BMW specialist would be a better bet. I do have one of the C110 scanners, that also flags up EGR, and as the rough and ready test I did showed, there does not appear to be any vacuum at the EGR from the pipe, which indicates to me that the pressure converter is faulty. I just wanted to be 100% sure there was definitely nothing else that could cause the EGR not to work, before undertaking the laborious task of taking the manifold off again.
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If in doubt and all else fails - read the instructions!
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