Check Engine Light, Power Reduction 135i

[TheDonC89]

Howzit guys, was wondering if anyone can help me out? I recently purchased a 2008 135i Sport (N54). After a few weeks of driving stock I decided to install an AFE stage 2 with the DAS and throttle body spacer. When i started the car up the CEL came up. When i start my car up and rev my car boost fine, but CEL is on. When i rev 2nd time the car has no boost and exhaust sounds rough! I checked under the hood and found that my filters weren't sucking air until i realised the rubber boost/charge pipe between the intercooler and diverter kept closing up FLAT when revs got higher. I feel like i'm driving a 330i. I've taken the car to the dealership and they claim that this is the only problem and have order me a new one from Germany which i'm still waiting for after 9 days. The dealership is very back logged and its taking for ever for me to get my car in! I was wondering if someone can give me information on this regard or piece of mind if it is just the pipe thats causing the limp mode. The light is always on and car only has boost on the 1st touch of the accelerator. Just got the car and the first mod I did broke it? HELP!

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Oh forgot to mention I've fitted all the stock items back so car is completely stock. Problem still persists. :thumbdo:

 

[Twinz]

....the rubber boost/charge pipe between the intercooler and diverter kept closing up FLAT when revs got higher....

This part of the chargepipe is very fragile and will eventully break or crack on most x35s even if you run stock boost. When it gets very hot under the hood together with the high boost this (rubber part) can close up as you describe. It will cost about R4,300 to have it replaced out of MP. A crack or break in the Chargepipe will def throw a limp mode due to boost leaking.

I am interested to know why you installed the throttle-body spacer. There is no power to be had except for increasing the chargepipe length. if you using the stock pipe. If the car is out of MP why not considering an aftermarket chargepipe like STETT...? Then you can add meth; forge DVs and all sorts of things to it and it can handle very high levels of boost.

 

[Sleeper135i]

I have the AFE stage 2 also, no issues.

Throttle spacer adds no gain as car is direct injection.

My advice is remove the spacer, relook at your install. Maybe a cable is loose
On the map or throttle sensors.

Check your charge pipe is attached properly. And not split.

Hope this helps.

 

[TheDonC89]

....the rubber boost/charge pipe between the intercooler and diverter kept closing up FLAT when revs got higher....

This part of the chargepipe is very fragile and will eventully break or crack on most x35s even if you run stock boost. When it gets very hot under the hood together with the high boost this (rubber part) can close up as you describe. It will cost about R4,300 to have it replaced out of MP. A crack or break in the Chargepipe will def throw a limp mode due to boost leaking.

I am interested to know why you installed the throttle-body spacer. There is no power to be had except for increasing the chargepipe length. if you using the stock pipe. If the car is out of MP why not considering an aftermarket chargepipe like STETT...? Then you can add meth; forge DVs and all sorts of things to it and it can handle very high levels of boost.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes Bmw informed me that the pipe does get soft when it gets too hot. I also read up on Stett and I will be looking at getting the charge pipe, which Stett product do you recommend as I see they have the charge pipe no bov, with bov and dual DVs? I am on MP, but I will be getting an aftermarket one as I am looking at modifying and increasing boost. Just have to make everything look stock for MP when it goes in. I bought the induction from a friend who was gonna get a 1M, but fell through and got the 2012 C63 instead. He had already bought it from Modbargains and was still brand new so i got all of it new for less than myself ordering it. Throttle body was just a plus i suppose or apparently not? Apparently it increases throttle response because of the turbulence it causes just before the manifold, but theres a bit im not too sure of about AFE with their 27hp 34ft.lbs bla bla bla. Thats alot of power for filters not sure if these figures were proven or not.

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I have the AFE stage 2 also, no issues.

Throttle spacer adds no gain as car is direct injection.

My advice is remove the spacer, relook at your install. Maybe a cable is loose
On the map or throttle sensors.

Check your charge pipe is attached properly. And not split.

Hope this helps.

Oh yea i noticed the one map sensor between the throttle and DV pops out quite easily with the throttle spacer install. Looking around the throttle body I dont see anything out. Just hoping its the pipe thats throwing the CEL and limp mode and nothing more serious. I am covered under motorplan, but when you just get the car and it konks out you worry.

 

[TheDonC89]

Just took the car in the part finally arrived, they say i should have the car back tomorrow. So you guys advise against the spacer?

 

[TheDonC89]

Just got the car back and running very strong so very happy. The pipe they put in his different to old one it's hard wrinkle plastic oppose to the soft rubber one I had. Maybe recall or something? They also said previous owner must of put software because the car Is running quite a bit strong according to BMW mechanic but they can't pick it up apparently they can't really on the x35i but they can on the m3. Anyways they left my file on and said they will just keep quiet about it. I have never driven a stock 135i so I have no idea what the difference in power is gonna have to dyno. My friend that has run a few 135i also told me he was shocked with my car he just thought I had a happy car or the previous 135i drivers just didn't know how to drive. All in all very happy, but I will still be looking at charge pipes, DVs.

Thanks guys

One happy bloke

 

[Twinz]

Great stuff. :joy:
Dont put the spacer back even if you are very tempted. In crash terms - its nonsense.

Enjoy the car :thumbs: