Detonation on BMW E60 550i

[abmi0000]

Hi Guys,

I find that my car sometimes pinks when in a high gear and low speed. I am leaning towards poor fuel but have tried a few brands which doesnt really seem to take the problem away. It happens intermittently.

I thought of trying an octane booster to see if this cures the problem but I am uncertain. Is it possible that I am mistaking this for a noise on the Vanos?

 

[naickers]

No, not mistaking. I have the same issue with my 550i, when I showed the technician at the last service he said that is because I am in the wrong gear,
I think he had no idea about what I was talking about...

 

[abmi0000]

No, not mistaking. I have the same issue with my 550i, when I showed the technician at the last service he said that is because I am in the wrong gear,
I think he had no idea about what I was talking about...

Aaah, at least I'm not going mad.

Mine is auto so there is NO chance of being in the wrong gear. Also, I can take off in 3rd (cos it just can ) and there is no pinking at most times. So jaaa, he is talking crap!

Without a fault via disgnistic tests these days, most of these 'new mechanics' are baffled.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Your car is struggling to get rid of exhaust gasses because something is blocking your tailpipes.
So go to the back of your car, and tell your mother in law to back the hell up!! and get her broom's shaft out of your exhaust pipe!! :rollsmile:

 

[abmi0000]

imp:
Your car is struggling to get rid of exhaust gasses because something is blocking your tailpipes.
So go to the back of your car, and tell your mother in law to back the hell up!! and get her broom's shaft out of your exhaust pipe!! :rollsmile:

I fitted 90mm tails to cater for that. She now falls out :biglol:

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Let me guess, the 2 pipes in the rear confuses her even more when coming in for a landing! :roflol:

 

[abmi0000]

imp:
Let me guess, the 2 pipes in the rear confuses her even more when coming in for a landing! :roflol:

Yeah, she ripped one of her brooms in half when she couldn't decide 'left' or 'right' :rollsmile:

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Let me guess, the 2 pipes in the rear confuses her even more when coming in for a landing! :roflol:

Yeah, she ripped one of her brooms in half when she couldn't decide 'left' or 'right' :rollsmile:

Split the broom..... EI-FOKKEN-NA!!! Split the parra too!!! :mmm:

 

[abmi0000]

imp:
Let me guess, the 2 pipes in the rear confuses her even more when coming in for a landing! :roflol:

Yeah, she ripped one of her brooms in half when she couldn't decide 'left' or 'right' :rollsmile:

Split the broom..... EI-FOKKEN-NA!!! Split the parra too!!! :mmm:

:roflol:

 

[frikkieh]

Vanos - electrical connection to one of the solonoids perhaps?

 

[abmi0000]

Vanos - electrical connection to one of the solonoids perhaps?

:dunno: Would diagnostics detect something like this?

 

[frikkieh]

Vanos - electrical connection to one of the solonoids perhaps?

:dunno: Would diagnostics detect something like this?

Not that per say, but the experienced mechanic should be able to predict the cam angles for a situation and come to some conclusion if it is that or not.
If there is no variance in angle then there are surely some issue there.

 

[abmi0000]

Vanos - electrical connection to one of the solonoids perhaps?

:dunno: Would diagnostics detect something like this?

Not that per say, but the experienced mechanic should be able to predict the cam angles for a situation and come to some conclusion if it is that or not.
If there is no variance in angle then there are surely some issue there.

Would this be a visual inspection or some sort of tool?

 

[frikkieh]

The BMW diagnostics tool can tell. Give LZ a shout, he can do a diag for you. :thumbs:

 

[msm]

Is your car decatted? If yes, it could be the O2 sensors causing problems. I had similar issues when me O2 sensors were plugged in the wrong way on one of my previous cars.

However, INPA should be able to identify if the O2 sensor values are the problem.

 

[frikkieh]

Here is an example of vanos values:

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Point is that you pretty much need to get this done and someone that interpred the values

 

[Legacy]

Have you tried some good quality fuel like 98 octane? I would try that first seeing as its the "cheapest" option. I would not put in any octane boosters if it were my car.

 

[abmi0000]

Is your car decatted? If yes, it could be the O2 sensors causing problems. I had similar issues when me O2 sensors were plugged in the wrong way on one of my previous cars.

However, INPA should be able to identify if the O2 sensor values are the problem.

I have removed the cats recently but this 'problem' has been around for long before that.

 

[abmi0000]

Ok, so I decided to go a bit mild just for the purpose of testing and purchased a bottle of NF 3RON octane boost.

I have driven the car for about 80km or so since adding the booster and so far, so good. No detonation, even when the car is very hot after giving it some stick. Whether it is coincidental or not, I can't say. Will probably do the same for the next 3 tanks so that I can gauge.

 

[Gizmo]

Are you using 93 or 95 fuel?