[mikewhiskey]

Info: I have a 2018 440i with 27k miles and about 3 weeks warranty remaining. Bone stock.

My problems started about 3 weeks ago while stuck in traffic idling for an extended period of time. The engine suddenly made a whistling noise and blew a lot of smoke out of the tail pipe. I dropped off the car at the dealership and they replaced the valve cover (this is somewhat common).

I picked up the car and immediately noticed while holding steady throttle during cruising (maintaining speed, not accelerating) the car subtly but noticeably surges. So I dropped it off at the dealer again. They had it two weeks. Per TSE they "reprogrammed the DME and reset valvetronic." So today I picked it up again and the surging problem- subtle inconsistent throttle is still there.

Then (not sure if this is related) I heard new noises coming from the engine after shut down while the car is off- engine off, ignition off, everything off. I spend a lot of time in the garage where the car is parked and am aware of the normal noises it makes when "off" after shut down. But these are new noises. Sounds like a smoke detector going off then switches to a metallic scraping noise, then repeats. Video of noises here

I guess I'll have to take it back in to the dealer but am hoping I can help them with what direction to go since they seem to be struggling? Anybody experience this stuff? My car ran flawlessly before this, very consistent and reliable.

[weehe126]

Sounds like they fucked up the valvetronic eccentric shaft and/or motor while fixing the PCV valve by replacing the VC.

[mikewhiskey]

Great. So a hack working on my car at the dealership fucked it up and then can't figure out that they fucked up or won't admit it.

Does the noise sound related?

[eluded]

Stay on them and make sure everything's resolved under warranty.

[weehe126]

Originally Posted by mikewhiskey

Great. So a hack working on my car at the dealership fucked it up and then can't figure out that they fucked up or won't admit it.

Does the noise sound related?

Yes the noise is why I'm guessing what I did. The servomotor would be making the electrical buzzing sound and the eccentric shaft scraping would be the metal sound. The whole valvetronic system is used instead of a traditional throttle body. So if it is messed up it would mess with the throttle even if holding steady.

[G.Newt]

Sounds like the valvetronic servomotor and eccentric shaft are involved.

[mikewhiskey]

Thanks for your responses everyone.

I'm taking the car back to the dealership today, 3rd time for this. I have no faith in their competency after causing the problem and then not being able to figure it out. Hopefully it doesn't go back to same tech though I'm sure it will haha. I told the advisor about the valvetronic eccentric shaft and servomotor and he acted like I was speaking a foreign language.

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by mikewhiskey

Thanks for your responses everyone.

I'm taking the car back to the dealership today, 3rd time for this. I have no faith in their competency after causing the problem and then not being able to figure it out. Hopefully it doesn't go back to same tech though I'm sure it will haha. I told the advisor about the valvetronic eccentric shaft and servomotor and he acted like I was speaking a foreign language.

Yikes, that's not a good sign. These have been uncommon issues since N54 days, so it's not like they're new problems, just not often. Mine happened after warranty + I'm tuned so I went to a big shop in Dallas that has done eccentric shaft replacements on modern BMW's. $3,600 and 2.5 months later, the car runs as good as new lol.

[mikewhiskey]

Well, I dropped off the car and mentioned valvetronic (shaft and motor) suspicions to the shop foreman. He said valvetronic components aren't near the valve cover replacement job and wouldn't have been affected at all. I showed him the video and he said it will help them figure it out. Gonna stay positive and let them do their thing. Will update here. Thanks everyone

[mikewhiskey]

The SA called me today and said they can't find anything wrong with the car and they will call me back in a couple of days. This is what they always say with this new problem since the valve cover was replaced- can't find anything wrong. And this isn't intermittent, I don't understand why they can't figure it out. Pretty fed up.

[weehe126]

Well when you have the VC off the eccentric shaft and motor are exposed. So that foreman is lying. You might need to do the test drive with them to show them the problem.

[mikewhiskey]

On the 2nd visit I did a test drive with the shop foreman and he acknowledged the problem.

They've had the car a week now and the SA told me they're replacing a VANOS actuator today.

[weehe126]

Probably need to push them for an explanation since VANOS wouldn't cause the issue you are describing.

[BMWILUVU]

Could you please post the work order when they are finished with the work?

[njdangelo]

Go to another dealer at this point.

[mikewhiskey]

Got my car back today. My service advisor mis-told me what was replaced, it was not VANOS.

They replaced the valvetronic actuator (part number 11377643073). You guys were right about the valvetronic!

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by mikewhiskey

Got my car back today. My service advisor mis-told me what was replaced, it was not VANOS.

They replaced the valvetronic actuator (part number 11377643073). You guys were right about the valvetronic!

Hopefully you don't hear the noise again. If it comes back, have them inspect the shaft for wear. Surprised they didn't replace both since they already had the valve cover open.