Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[PSUEng]

Activated Charcoal Canister Cover (PN 51717893604) question - Is there anything behind this heat shield that ties into the canister cover or is it open? If there is a plastic piece coming down that the heat shield is covering, can you help me identify the PN?

Nothing, just remove it. I replaced my charcoal can 2 years ago; black box comes right off.

[L0okitzRaj]

I have an drift day coming up.... There is potential for wheels off, and I want to ensure no airbags pop.

Y'all have any quick ways of disabling airbags? I have ncs expert if needed. I don't want to have to physically disconnect anything.

Is as easy as just pulling the fuse?

[AWE46M3]

Activated Charcoal Canister Cover (PN 51717893604) question - Is there anything behind this heat shield that ties into the canister cover or is it open? If there is a plastic piece coming down that the heat shield is covering, can you help me identify the PN?

[IamFODI]

^ Interesting. Why intake cam on the S62 but exhaust cam on the S54? Are those the shortest ways to run the chains?

[Slideways]

Thank you! Could BMW have designed the intake cam to be the one with the oil pump disc?

Probably, they did that on the S62.

[newton22]

The exhaust cam and hub tabs drive the oil pump disc in the VANOS unit to generate the oil pressure required to advance and retard the cams.

Skip to VANOS section: https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/tec...%20Vehicle.pdf

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...os-info-thread

Thank you! Could BMW have designed the intake cam to be the one with the oil pump disc?

[Slideways]

Can someone link me to a page or video that shows exactly how the S54 VANOS works? I'm trying to understand why the exhaust hub has tabs but the intake side doesn't.

The exhaust cam and hub tabs drive the oil pump disc in the VANOS unit to generate the oil pressure required to advance and retard the cams.

Skip to VANOS section: https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/tec...%20Vehicle.pdf

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/3317-s54-vanos-info-thread

[newton22]

Can someone link me to a page or video that shows exactly how the S54 VANOS works? I'm trying to understand why the exhaust hub has tabs but the intake side doesn't.

[Cubieman]

Smoke testing for vacuum leak. Is there a decent low cost tool/DIY setup for this?

I made one from a pickle jar/soldering iron/sock/baby oil and bike pump later replaced by a airbrush pump I already had. It worked pretty well actually. There is a YouTube on it.

[maupineda]

Amazon, I got one for like 90 bucks last year.

[Nate047]

Smoke testing for vacuum leak. Is there a decent low cost tool/DIY setup for this?

[CrisSilberGrau]

Slideways heinzboehmer Update:

I managed to scan the car last night with no success. No codes came up. I did this after a fresh oil change. For reference, I keep the oil level always at max on the OEM M3 non CSL dip stick. I do have to say that after prolonged hard driving the engine does seem to either burn a bit of oil or have some escape (in the aforementioned vanos line/pressure accumulator area). In the past the yellow light would come on, I'd measure the oil level on lever ground and always found it to be at or slightly below mid. I would complete to max level and the light would then not come on in subsequent drives, until such time enough oil was used/burnt (regardless it would be a while).

That's not the case anymore, I can complete to max oil level, in the next drive the oil light would come on unless parked on level ground.

As for issue 2. juddering, still present but more muted after fixing the bottom idle control bung on the turner CSL but still noticeable. No Codes again.

[heinzboehmer]

1. CSL software seems to be more sensitive to oil level. When the oil is up to temp, it usually wants the level at 1/2 from max to max. If it's at 1/4 to a 1/2, it might throw the yellow oil light on slopes. The sensor is not bad until a code pops up for the oil level sensor malfunction or you will see the oil temp gauge fall to cold. It will not trigger a CEL, so you have to scan for this.

It's not exactly that it's more sensitive. On the CSL, both the physical dipstick and the DME are expecting more oil in the pan. Looks like 4mm higher oil level on the sensor based on my notes.

Edit: Found the thread with pics of the dipstick difference: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/s...ator#post97267

[Slideways]

Before I post in the main forum I have two issues.

1. Yellow oil light whenever the car is on an incline with the nose/front at the lowest point. Inclines are not severe, think driveway. There oil sweat at the bottom of the vanos line, I think also around the vanos pressure accumulator. Is this still an oil level sensor issue? Since I have not touched it I assume its original to the car @159k miles now.

2. I've notice a hesitation around 3k rpm. Either when keeping steady throttle application on the hwy in 6th (any gear really) then applying throttle gently theres a judder. In the past it has resulted in the EML light going on and limp mode condition. It would clear itself after a prolonged stop start. I have since found the idle control line hose bung to the Turner airbox was detached, letting in air past the CSL air filter. I have since fixed this. I can still sense a slight hesitation/judder at times. I have not run codes on the dme. Is this a symptom of fueling ie. injectors (OEM rebuilt in 2023), or the fuel pump?

1. CSL software seems to be more sensitive to oil level. When the oil is up to temp, it usually wants the level at 1/2 from max to max. If it's at 1/4 to a 1/2, it might throw the yellow oil light on slopes. The sensor is not bad until a code pops up for the oil level sensor malfunction or you will see the oil temp gauge fall to cold. It will not trigger a CEL, so you have to scan for this.

2. Check the DME for codes and go from there. At that mileage, if you have a slightly blown headgasket, it might not throw a misfire code and the car can drive fine. You want to do a compression test with ALL the spark plugs out. If it passes a compression test, then check the fuel pump as that usually does not throw a code when it is on its way out.

[CrisSilberGrau]

Before I post in the main forum I have two issues.

1. Yellow oil light whenever the car is on an incline with the nose/front at the lowest point. Inclines are not severe, think driveway. There oil sweat at the bottom of the vanos line, I think also around the vanos pressure accumulator. Is this still an oil level sensor issue? Since I have not touched it I assume its original to the car @159k miles now.

2. I've notice a hesitation around 3k rpm. Either when keeping steady throttle application on the hwy in 6th (any gear really) then applying throttle gently theres a judder. In the past it has resulted in the EML light going on and limp mode condition. It would clear itself after a prolonged stop start. I have since found the idle control line hose bung to the Turner airbox was detached, letting in air past the CSL air filter. I have since fixed this. I can still sense a slight hesitation/judder at times. I have not run codes on the dme. Is this a symptom of fueling ie. injectors (OEM rebuilt in 2023), or the fuel pump?