Hi Guys, 

 

New to this site so forgive me if this has been covered, I would appreciate a point in the right direction if it has been covered. 

 

320d e46. 2005. 129000 miles. 

 

Recently my car has been acting oddly. The engine management light came on and the mechanic i had out to take a look cleared an oxygen sensor code and told me to run some diesel magic through the tank. This should do the trick. 

 

Didn't have a serious problem until a few weeks ago. The car now randomly has losses of power, sometimes its fine and i have full power, then i could change gear from second to third and its like the car has gone into limp mode. Then a few corners and a few gears changes later it has some power back but not all of it. I also sometimes get plumes of light smoke, light blue smoke but never dark smoke. I purchased a code reader and saw multiple codes. I cleared them Which seems to get the car back to normal for 30 seconds ish and they obviously keep coming back. 

Codes: 

3f25 - charge-air tube monitoring 

4212 glow plug cylinder 1, activation 

4222 glow plug cylinder 2, activation

4232 glow plug cylinder 3, activation

4242 glow plug cylinder 4, activation

3FF0 Air-mass flow sensor 

3FF1 Air-mass flow sensor 

41E7 Oxygen sensor, signal, pump current

4B10 Smooth running controller 

So doing some reading and general research I decided to replace the MAF sensor which didn't make the slightest bit of difference. I took it to my local garage and explained. They took all day looking at it and eventually asked me to come collect it because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. 

 

I am currently waiting on an automotive electrician but that isn't booked in until the end of Sept. 

 

I was wondering if anyone had experienced/seen this before and has any advice or knowhow on what to do to remedy the car. 

 

Thanks in advanced guys 

 

 

Morning Adam and Welcome to the Forum

While you give codes how many miles has your car covered, what service history etc helps as well.

Not a diesel specialist but have had to learn a bit as all the kids drive diesels (non BMW) and my brother inlaw drives a 530d

First the Glow plugs heat for a few seconds to ensure clean start in cold conditions. My sons Toyota had all four not working for a year never made a bit of difference to the car starting but then we do live in Sussex and haven't seen a really cold winter for ages (stupid statement this year I will probably need a snow plow)

So I would suspect at the moment as all 4 glow plugs are inoperative that the glow plugs and or controller need changing. I don't think that these are the culprit.

The remaining codes however could well be linked, sorting which are symptoms of, and which are the cause is the trick.

The charge air monitoring fault I would check all hoses from the turbo through the intercooler and up to the inlet manifold check all the seals and joints both pressure and vacuum hoses it doesn't take much to throw things off.

Air Mass sensor (hot film) If these are clean and dry they are normally reliable, the inlet manifold systems are complex, not sure if your car has swirl flaps or not. I would look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin number into the search box it will bring up your model then search in the engine section there are exploded drawings that may help. Also look at www.newtis.info this is a BMW technical information site Dealers use this information.

Don't ignore the fuel filter and fuel pump our sons last Toyota had power issues that turned out to be a clogged fuel filter.

Good Luck

Dave

 

Hey Dave, 

 

thanks for your response. I haven’t checked out the hoses yet, so I’ll get onto that. 

 

I replaced the MAF sensor but didn’t use a like for like part and have been told that some aftermarket parts, I.E not Bosch, can be unreliable. Do you think it’s worth buying a Bosch replacement and trying that also? 

 

Not it sure about swirl flaps, so I’ll look at that too. 

 

The fuel filter was changed on the last service and the issue was happening before then. 

 

Ill get on with some of these points and keep the post updated. 

 

Thanks again. 

Have a look at www.realoem.com it is an online BMW parts list put the last 7 digits of your Vin Number into the search box and it will bring up your model.

Then search for the parts you want/need it will have the correct part numbers so when buying your sure (a) it will fit (b) it should work.

Update:  Took the MAF sensor off and drove without it connected.  The car drives smoother and doesn't smoke at all but it is low on power but a lot ore manageable than with the MAF connected.

 

Also found a large hole in the exhaust just above the exhaust support bars in the rear section of the exhaust. would this effect anything regarding the codes I'm getting? 

Hi Adam

Usually if the MAF is disconnected then the system runs on a default setting (which is usually quite acceptable to drive on) so it confirms the MAF as being faulty.

I would replace it and then see how the other codes appear, or not as the case may be