Engine speed hunting - BMW X1 E84 N47 2.0d

[Zound]

Hi Fanatics,

Looking for some guidance on a problem with my SO's 2010 BMW X1 2.0d (Auto).

While driving, the engine speed appears to fluctuate and hunt upwards, with throttle input seeking to simply maintain speed. It's like the car is looking to change gears upwards.

The most notable symptom is that it is difficult to maintain speed. The car does not have cruise control so it is difficult to illustrate that the throttle input is being managed correctly. 

The engine also does this, occasionally, on startup and idle. I was recently able to take a short video of the problem at startup and idle.

See here:

[video=youtube]

Your thoughts and recommendations are appreciated.

 

[Nikhil]

Get diagnostics done... I suspect it's going to give your a clutch slip error on the box

 

[Danny2]

As Nikhil said, get a diagnostics done and also check the adaption values of the gearbox to check if they still in spec or how badly out of spec they are

 

[Zound]

So I have read the diagnostic fault codes and this is what came out:

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][/font]


These were the adaptations on the gearbox, I have since reset them.

View attachment 1

unfortunately the problem is still very present.

The engine hunting seems to be of a similar nature at idle (park and Neutral) - does that not remove the gearbox from the equation?

 

[Solo Man]

I wonder if it is not an air leak? Would check all the pipes for leaks, etc. Also, what engine is in there? Mileage? Was thinking swirl flaps might be loose but the newer engine (i think N47) have different type of swirl flaps that are not that problematic. Also, for peace of mind i would just reset the gearbox (Google to see how to)

 

[Kyle]

If it happens at idle then I doubt it's gearbox related...

Could be dirty injectors, but it would obviously be best to send it in to get it properly diagnosed.

 

[Nikhil]

I cant see the images you uploaded with the errors

 

[Zound]

I wonder if it is not an air leak? Would check all the pipes for leaks, etc. Also, what engine is in there? Mileage? Was thinking swirl flaps might be loose but the newer engine (i think N47) have different type of swirl flaps that are not that problematic. Also, for peace of mind i would just reset the gearbox (Google to see how to)

I was thinking the same thing, or perhaps a measurement error from a failing Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor. I'll look around on the forums to find out if there are any common air leaks that develop on these N47 motors. For interest sake, the mileage is 182 152km - so she's no spring chicken. The swirl flaps are, supposedly, still a problem in these motors. In the M47 the swirl flaps had the potential to cause catastrophic damage as they could break loose and enter the combustion chamber. In the N47, however, I understand the problem is more about carbon buildup on these flaps, causing them to stick and/or restrict airflow through the intake manifold. In any event, I am planning to purchase a swirl flap delete kit.

I have reset the gearbox adaptations (I have Rheingold and an INPA cable, so fairly familiar with this process).

---

If it happens at idle then I doubt it's gearbox related...

Could be dirty injectors, but it would obviously be best to send it in to get it properly diagnosed.

I'm hoping it is not gearbox related, but while driving it feels like it must be gearbox related.

I have run a bottle of fuel system cleaner in the last tank of fuel - but of course this does not rule out a bad injector.

To be honest, I do not know who I would take it into to diagnose a seemingly complex issue like this. I have a healthy distrust for dealership mechanics, and do not have sufficient experience or referral of a specialist BMW mechanic.

If we can narrow down the problem to the gearbox, I will gladly take it to ZF (I believe their is a service center in Germiston?).

---

I cant see the images you uploaded with the errors

I have re-uploaded the images. Let me know if they are still not visible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Riaad]

Hi Fanatics,

Looking for some guidance on a problem with my SO's 2010 BMW X1 2.0d (Auto).

While driving, the engine speed appears to fluctuate and hunt upwards, with throttle input seeking to simply maintain speed. It's like the car is looking to change gears upwards.

The most notable symptom is that it is difficult to maintain speed. The car does not have cruise control so it is difficult to illustrate that the throttle input is being managed correctly. 

The engine also does this, occasionally, on startup and idle. I was recently able to take a short video of the problem at startup and idle.

See here:

[video=youtube]

Your thoughts and recommendations are appreciated.

Considering the fluctuation of the idle at startup - I would assume or start at the MAF, possibly disconnect and see if the idle changes, furthermore there could be a vacuum leak (the crank ventilator pipe is a common suspect) or excess carbon buildup (intake clean might help), if still no avail, the issue may lie with the injectors.

Additionally, at that sort of mileage, one should avoid resetting gearbox adaptions...due to normal wear and tear, the gearbox may never "relearn" certain adaptions...which leads to a rebuild or replacement of the gearbox - xhp has alot of info regarding this. 

:thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

Full tank of diesel + diesel boost and injector cleaner and let me know If it makes a difference, you've got to drive the shit out of it for a little bit tho. Another question does this car still have the cat in place?

 

[Zound]

Hi Fanatics,

Looking for some guidance on a problem with my SO's 2010 BMW X1 2.0d (Auto).

While driving, the engine speed appears to fluctuate and hunt upwards, with throttle input seeking to simply maintain speed. It's like the car is looking to change gears upwards.

The most notable symptom is that it is difficult to maintain speed. The car does not have cruise control so it is difficult to illustrate that the throttle input is being managed correctly. 

The engine also does this, occasionally, on startup and idle. I was recently able to take a short video of the problem at startup and idle.

See here:

[video=youtube]

Your thoughts and recommendations are appreciated.

Considering the fluctuation of the idle at startup - I would assume or start at the MAF, possibly disconnect and see if the idle changes, furthermore there could be a vacuum leak (the crank ventilator pipe is a common suspect) or excess carbon buildup (intake clean might help), if still no avail, the issue may lie with the injectors.

Additionally, at that sort of mileage, one should avoid resetting gearbox adaptions...due to normal wear and tear, the gearbox may never "relearn" certain adaptions...which leads to a rebuild or replacement of the gearbox - xhp has alot of info regarding this. 

:thumbs:

This does make me a little bit concerned. I think I may have reset the gearbox adaptations when we first got the car - beginning of this year.
A trip to ZF may be necessary...

I do suspect that the intake is sooted up with carbon, but could that cause such a pronounced symptom?
To elaborate on the symptom (I'll take a video when I can), the car accelerates and changes gears in a very acceptable manner (Quite frankly she performs quite well when encouraged...), but when trying to maintain speed - that's when the engine speed hunting comes in.

---

Full tank of diesel + diesel boost and injector cleaner and let me know If it makes a difference, you've got to drive the shit out of it for a little bit tho. Another question does this car still have the cat in place?

I'll give that a try.

Yes, she still has the catalytic converter in place - I'd like to have her de-catted and a mild flash tune done once she's healthy again.

 

[Zound]

Problem found.

Faulty diesel quality control valve.
It'sa component of the high pressure fuel pump.

It's best described here - https://bmwtechnician.com/2018/03/19/n47-diesel-quality-control-valve/