Engine Malfunction Power reduced

SuitedPair · 07-20-2010, 01:01 PM

I have 1,300 miles on the car and was just driving back to the office when the warning came on, "Engine Malfunction, Power reduced..." rpm limit dropped to 4500 and car idles very heavy. Anyone experience this or heard of this?
Just had the 1200 mile service done 2 weeks ago and all was fine until now...?

going to call my SA and have them pick up the car but in the meantime, any thoughts?

LateBraking · 07-20-2010, 01:05 PM

Idle Valve.

AMOCHOSTO · 07-20-2010, 01:07 PM

I've read of this, it could be a computer bug, sometimes the problem resolves itself just by shutting the car down then restarting it. Other reasons will likely have to be resolved by your dealer.

SuitedPair · 07-20-2010, 01:09 PM

look like it... why the $@ck would that be a problem a year ago and nothing was done with the new cars being built? (rhetorical question)

AMOCHOSTO · 07-20-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

Idle Valve.

It certainly sounded to me like Idle Valve, but he's got a 2011. I understand the Idle Valve issue has been resolved even for late 2008 build cars.

LateBraking · 07-20-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMOCHOSTO

It certainly sounded to me like Idle Valve, but he's got a 2011. I understand the Idle Valve issue has been resolved even for late 2008 build cars.

I've actually heard of even 2009 cars that have had the Idle Valve issue, and even a 2008 car that had it twice.

Don't remember exactly where I read this, I'd have to search a million posts to find two comments, but I would just assume that it's the idle valve, and assume that BMW never really did address the issue properly.

Oh, and sorry for being mean earlier. I'm at work.

SuitedPair · 07-20-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMOCHOSTO

It certainly sounded to me like Idle Valve, but he's got a 2011. I understand the Idle Valve issue has been resolved even for late 2008 build cars.

This is exactly what I was thinking! Just a very disconcerting feeling with a new car...

m34jlp · 07-20-2010, 03:42 PM

crazy...this just happened on my way to lunch

mine is a 2008 with 22,9xx miles so i guess its about time for the ICV to go :/

evilspiritM3 · 07-20-2010, 05:20 PM

I've got the same thing on my 2011 e90. It is easily fixed by stopping and starting the engine. Is there a permanent fix?

LateBraking · 07-20-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilspiritM3

I've got the same thing on my 2011 e90. It is easily fixed by stopping and starting the engine. Is there a permanent fix?

If it's a program glitch, I guess that works. I just hope it's not your idle valve. Just turning your car on and off to try to clear the idle valve fault codes can't be good for your car.

NeoE46 · 07-20-2010, 09:49 PM

This happened to me the other day. I have already replaced the ICV and that issue happens on start up, not when driving. I picked up the car from dealer today. It set fault on the ECU for a misfire in cylinder 5. They monitored and performed diagnostics. Nothing came up. I spoke to the tech that worked on the car......the SA was clueless. Only thing we could come up with was a bad tank of gas. I filled up at a station I normally use, so this was surprising.

Drove it today and there were no issues.

808E90 · 07-21-2010, 04:37 AM

My car is a 2009 ... I had around 2000 miles and it was the VANOS that caused my problem.

SuitedPair · 07-21-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilspiritM3

I've got the same thing on my 2011 e90. It is easily fixed by stopping and starting the engine. Is there a permanent fix?

tried it. didn't work. let it sit for an hour...tried again...same.

SA said Idle Valve is fine.

Computer info was downloaded by M division BMWNA he said... diagnosis TBD

SuitedPair · 07-27-2010, 11:19 PM

Update- going on calendar day nine and still no diagnosis. Lots of stuff ruled out but they don't know how to fix it yet! Starting to think Lemon Law if day 15 comes!

richardbb85 · 07-28-2010, 01:39 AM

good luck man

SuitedPair · 07-28-2010, 11:09 PM

Progress report in case this helps anyone in the future:
Pulling off the valve covers on one side of the engine today... Fishing expedition possibly.

AMOCHOSTO · 07-29-2010, 08:05 AM

Frustration! Hopefully they have given you a decent courtesy car.

M3 Montreal · 07-29-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

Idle Valve.

+1

I would bet my money on this..

** edit** just read your SA said Idle valve was fine... Hmmm ..

SuitedPair · 07-29-2010, 12:36 PM

update: they are thinking broken valve and are pulling one of the cylinder heads out... but he also said they can't see a valve that is broken...yet.
SA said he's only seen one broken valve and that was on an M3 with 100,000 plus miles driven hard.

edit- was thinking about this...he must have meant checking one of the cylinder heads since pulling it out means pulling the engine... hope the SA knows more about engines than I do!

SuitedPair · 08-02-2010, 09:11 PM

Update, Day 15: Saw the car on Saturday with the whole left side opened up- throttle bodies off, valve covers off... SA said the problem is not with the VANOS. They still don't know so get this- they are waiting on a part to pull some part of the engine off to access the cylinder head. And they are leaving it open and exposed for the rest of the weekend. Now, is it just me or aren't these engines assembled by HIGHLY trained professionals in relatively CLEAN environments?? As far as I know there is some schlep fumbling around with this engine and they obviously don't dissamble any M3 engines this far since they don't have THE PART they need yet! Um, is it just me or does this all sound messed up? Opinions?
BTW- lemon law letters going out tomorrow. Called BMWNA this afternoon and said I wanted to request a new car...they said I need to go through my SA first...!

JCtx · 08-02-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuitedPair

BTW- lemon law letters going out tomorrow.

I'd be doing the same by now. Not surprised dealer doesn't have the right tools for a job they've never done before. And wouldn't be surprised if they f*ck up the job either. And yes, leaving engine open without even a freaking blanket or something to protect it is not good customer service in my book. But the better question is why the hell did they open your engine without even knowing what the hell is wrong? Seems retarded to me. Good luck with getting a new car. Hopefully it'll happen without involving lawyers, but wouldn't hold my breath on that. Take care.

SuitedPair · 08-03-2010, 11:58 AM

Just got the message- SA said a "valve spring came apart"

Now, what should I be worried about in the engine when a valve spring fails?? How common is this?

07-20-2010, 01:01 PM	#1
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Engine Malfunction Power reduced I have 1,300 miles on the car and was just driving back to the office when the warning came on, "Engine Malfunction, Power reduced..." rpm limit dropped to 4500 and car idles very heavy. Anyone experience this or heard of this? Just had the 1200 mile service done 2 weeks ago and all was fine until now...? going to call my SA and have them pick up the car but in the meantime, any thoughts? Last edited by SuitedPair; 07-20-2010 at 01:02 PM.. Reason: edit
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07-20-2010, 01:05 PM	#2
LateBraking Brigadier General 326 Rep 3,882 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	Idle Valve.
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07-20-2010, 01:07 PM	#3
AMOCHOSTO Major 32 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: IB BB E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto. iTrader: (0)	I've read of this, it could be a computer bug, sometimes the problem resolves itself just by shutting the car down then restarting it. Other reasons will likely have to be resolved by your dealer. __________________ E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT. Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW)
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07-20-2010, 01:09 PM	#4
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	look like it... why the $@ck would that be a problem a year ago and nothing was done with the new cars being built? (rhetorical question)
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07-20-2010, 03:42 PM	#8
m34jlp Wheel Whore 156 Rep 937 Posts Drives: 2015 AY F82 M4 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (0)	crazy...this just happened on my way to lunch mine is a 2008 with 22,9xx miles so i guess its about time for the ICV to go :/
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07-20-2010, 05:20 PM	#9
evilspiritM3 Captain 409 Rep 632 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3, 2018 F87 M2 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2018 F87 M2 [0.00] 2011 M3 [0.00]	I've got the same thing on my 2011 e90. It is easily fixed by stopping and starting the engine. Is there a permanent fix?
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07-20-2010, 09:49 PM	#11
NeoE46 Connoisseur of Velocity 10 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 09 AW E92 M3 w/DCT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX. iTrader: (0)	This happened to me the other day. I have already replaced the ICV and that issue happens on start up, not when driving. I picked up the car from dealer today. It set fault on the ECU for a misfire in cylinder 5. They monitored and performed diagnostics. Nothing came up. I spoke to the tech that worked on the car......the SA was clueless. Only thing we could come up with was a bad tank of gas. I filled up at a station I normally use, so this was surprising. Drove it today and there were no issues.
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07-21-2010, 04:37 AM	#12
808E90 808E90 233 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: E90 ///M Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aloha State iTrader: (21)	My car is a 2009 ... I had around 2000 miles and it was the VANOS that caused my problem. __________________ LTMW FTL . Karbonwerks LCI Trunk . Vorsteiner Poly Front Lip . NA Motorsports LUX H8 . RECARO Pole Position Seats . BMW Performance Pedals . BMW Performance Performance Grills . BMW Painted Fender Grills . BBS 19x9.5 19x11 LMs . Michelin PS2 265/295 . H&R Sport Springs . Wheel Mate 45/55MM Stud Kit . BBS Red Lug Nuts . ESS VT1 Supercharger . Akrapovic GT4 Exhaust
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07-27-2010, 11:19 PM	#14
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Update- going on calendar day nine and still no diagnosis. Lots of stuff ruled out but they don't know how to fix it yet! Starting to think Lemon Law if day 15 comes!
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07-28-2010, 01:39 AM	#15
richardbb85 Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,653 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: annandale, va iTrader: (0)	good luck man __________________ 2011 E92 Space Grey/black + Tech + Premi + Heated Seats
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07-28-2010, 11:09 PM	#16
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Progress report in case this helps anyone in the future: Pulling off the valve covers on one side of the engine today... Fishing expedition possibly.
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07-29-2010, 08:05 AM	#17
AMOCHOSTO Major 32 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: IB BB E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto. iTrader: (0)	Frustration! Hopefully they have given you a decent courtesy car. __________________ E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT. Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW)
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07-29-2010, 12:36 PM	#19
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	update: they are thinking broken valve and are pulling one of the cylinder heads out... but he also said they can't see a valve that is broken...yet. SA said he's only seen one broken valve and that was on an M3 with 100,000 plus miles driven hard. edit- was thinking about this...he must have meant checking one of the cylinder heads since pulling it out means pulling the engine... hope the SA knows more about engines than I do! Last edited by SuitedPair; 07-29-2010 at 08:46 PM.. Reason: added info
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08-02-2010, 09:11 PM	#20
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Update, Day 15: Saw the car on Saturday with the whole left side opened up- throttle bodies off, valve covers off... SA said the problem is not with the VANOS. They still don't know so get this- they are waiting on a part to pull some part of the engine off to access the cylinder head. And they are leaving it open and exposed for the rest of the weekend. Now, is it just me or aren't these engines assembled by HIGHLY trained professionals in relatively CLEAN environments?? As far as I know there is some schlep fumbling around with this engine and they obviously don't dissamble any M3 engines this far since they don't have THE PART they need yet! Um, is it just me or does this all sound messed up? Opinions? BTW- lemon law letters going out tomorrow. Called BMWNA this afternoon and said I wanted to request a new car...they said I need to go through my SA first...! Last edited by SuitedPair; 08-02-2010 at 09:11 PM.. Reason: spelling
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08-03-2010, 11:58 AM	#22
SuitedPair Private First Class 20 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Just got the message- SA said a "valve spring came apart" Now, what should I be worried about in the engine when a valve spring fails?? How common is this?
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