Camshaft problems rough idle

S

ShawnZ4

Member
Just taken my E85 2.0 56 plate in to local BMW specialist to get the hibernation mode reset which they did really easily so Aircon and blowers now work yipppee!!
He did full check as said engine seems to be iddling a bit rough and said he already knew what it was apparently when engine doesn't get much use they get condinsation in top of engine and camshaft gets rusty.
Anyone heard of this or had it fixed as he said most parts only available from main dealer so £700 alone and about 6 hours labour only had car a week shifting myself didn't notice as after my Z3 felt like a super smooth engine to me!
Also said roof motor getting noisy which means low fluid but said hard to get to it to do.
To be fair he offered to do the job privately to help me out even the boss suggested it guess so busy not short of work!
Told me Z4s up to 2008 are rubbish?
 
Roof motor low on oil is unlikely.
More likely is that your drainage tubes are clogged and your motor is sitting in a pool of water getting rusty!
FIX THIS ASAP!!! (that means tonight), although damage has been done probably.

After that, make an appointment with one of the people who do a roof motor relocate to the boot. If you're lucky the pump can be saved.
 
Welcome. "Rusty camshafts guv" is a new one :rofl:

There are many common causes of rough idle from simple air intake leaks or coil pack going down, to camshaft position sensor, timing chain tensioner, exhaust manifold leaks and so on. If you haven't got any warning lights and don't have access to a code reader I'd get yourself to another BMW independent specialist PDQ to see if there are any codes.

Although a noisy roof motor isn't necessarily a problem as long as it works quickly, if it's struggling it's almost certainly the common wet motor syndrome. Search the forum for moving roof dying motors to the boot and introduce yourself in the newbies section with your area, I'm sure you will pointed to someone who can help with a roof motor move and refresh (at a fraction of the official cost!) :thumbsup:
 
The rusty camshafts is a new one on me, and quite frankly utter bollox!

Contrary to what has been said above, the roof motors DO get low on oil, or should I say I think they actually leave the factory low on oil. I base this upon having had my hands on over 100 of them, and pretty much all of them have been around 1/3 full, rather than the 2/3 or so they should be. My thoughts behind this are that it's not leakage, BUT that when assembled and first run/tested at the roof manufacturers, they do not then remove the cap to allow the purged air out, and then top them back up. I therefore have had to top up pretty much every one I have repaired/relocated.

Mike
 
Thanks guys I'm in Bournemouth I was bit stressed when said about the engine running rough he showed me on the computer that different valves were not running right? I'm no mechanic but yes maybe need a second opinion the owner piped up and said you can do an engine flush to clean out all the sludge that may help?
But taking to my mechanic I can understand that would help the running if sludge all gone but how does that help rusty camshaft and like my mechanic just said why would the camshaft get rusty anyway he's never heard of it?
 
ShawnZ4 said:
Maybe I have valvetronic problems been told this is common issue any idea of costs?
Click to expand...

So just to confirm what your "mechanic" has said
1) your car is idling rough & he thinks your 2.0 is suffering from rusty camshafts :?
2) most of the parts are only available from main dealer at a cost of around £700 + his labour :?
3) as a favour he will sort it at his home at weekend :? :wink:
4) "all Z4 models up to 2008 are rubbish " :?

get a different garage would be my best advice as your current one sounds like a badly written pantomime :roll:

your garage man may be surmising your car has chain / tensioner troubles as they are well noted across the web on 4cyl BMW units

Have you any dash lights ? Does the car start & drive ok in your opinion ?
Have you any friend with a similar BMW petrol engine to compare sounds when starting & ticking over ?
Until a 2nd opinion gives you bad news i wouldn't go looking for problem's unless you know you have one , in the meantime make sure its up to date on service work & has good level's of oil + water
Welcome to the forum btw :thumbsup:
 
Thanks Mr Wilks great forum lots of helpful people this garage isn't my usual place I only used them as they are a local BMW unofficial specialist and had the computer to clear my hibernation mode after other local place didn't think it was that.
Yes must agree after speaking with my mechanic he said all sounds rubbish to him.
My mechanic is really good honest guy but works from home doesn't have all the gear needed for more technical jobs.
It's got mot Monday so will see how that goes have engine flush and service go from there.
I've found another local unofficial place not far in Christchurch they are quite new 2 years old but have all the gear and seem well priced so may try them for more technical jobs?
This mechanic said he thought engine was running poorly and did diagnostic while plugged in said valves weren't running so good tried raising them or something on computer but went back down not really sure I'm no mechanic all got a bit lost on me and was in state of shock when starting telling me about potential massive bill and how rubbish my new baby is!
To me it's running well especially since I had an old Z4 1.9 which was far from smooth everyone says these engines aren't good fingers crossed!
Strangely the garage owner piped up and said about these engines get badly sludged up when not used regularly so worth giving good flush and oil change may help it?
It has only done 41k on a 56 plate sounds like from the last mots the old boy who owned it did about 1k a year for past 5 years then last owner only done low miles spent year in his garage and when I bought it had flat battery hence hibernation mode when I bought it.
It's a lovely car and one I would love to keep for years to come so I'm happy to spend some money on it just hope not too much.
If anyone knows anyone on south coast Bournemouth area who can move the hood motor that would be helpful in future.
Thanks again all such a friendly bunch in here.
 
Years ago I had a 2.0 roadster I bought it at 18minths old and was surprised when the dealer told me at pre- sales checks they had replaced the manifold- said it was responsible for rough running which tbh I hadn't noticed at all on the test drive - and I ain't wet behind the ears on mechanics

So as above this is a known problem

But before you jump in and start work - for what it's worth I always thought my 2.0 had an 'interesting' idle - not completely smoothe but more like a tuned engine - so it may be what you are hearing is normal?

Other 2.0 current owners may be able to advise better??
 
Chances are the mechanic has said you camshaft lift adjusters are suffering from rust and not your actual cams

The valvetronic system is prone to getting water and gunk in the motor and lever system and valvetronic unit can sit in the incorrect position on idle, obviously causing idle issues ..

Welcome to bmw ownership..
 
Hi I'm still in dilemma with this will this cause engine damage or can I wait for this to get worst or show a fault light?
Any idea what all this would cost parts labour??
Thanks Shawn.
 
Hi I'm still in dilemma with this will this cause engine damage or can I wait for this to get worst or show a fault light?
Any idea what all this would cost parts labour??
Thanks Shawn.
 
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