ENGINE symbol displayed.

[kodpkd]

X5 F15. the engine symbol came on. I have tried to check it with a scanner. It runs fine.
I know it is a long shot but what is the likely issue that would turn the light on.
I have two codes,,,,,, p0172 and P10E2
Thank you.

[tfunk88]

Those codes are running rich and valvetronic issue.

What engine?

I’d clear the codes and see what comes back. Also check your gas cap is fully on.

[kodpkd]

Thank you. I cleared the codes, had the car running and they didn't come back in the few minutes I had it running. Will see tomorrow when it's driven into town if they come back. What would cause these to pop up? Probably "dirt in the carburetor". Ha!
I did check the gas cap, it was on tight, let air suck in when I removed it. I also changed the air filter.
Engine 40e

[tfunk88]

The valvetronic code probably tripped the light. The rich code most likely wouldn’t unless it was happening often or was running extremely rich for a bit. If you get a good code reader for BMW’s (like ISTA or BimmerLink) it may give you info about at what mileage the code actually happened, and whether it’s still present or is just stored.

[kodpkd]

After I reset the code, drove the car, I have a check engine light again. I'll check the code again. I have read it could be the air filter, o2 sensor, and a list of other things. I am looking for the correct 02 senser.

[tfunk88]

If it’s the rich code and only that, then it could be O2 sensors, post turbo leak, injectors

If you have the valvetronic code again, well…

[kodpkd]

The only code that came back is the P10E2. That indicates the Valvetronic eccentric shaft. I do most of the work on all of my cars, but this one seems to be very complicated. Does anybody think it could be something simple?
I wonder if I put some engine cleaner through the engine, this might fix it?

[tfunk88]

Though anything is possible, I seriously doubt engine oil cleaner will fix it. A true fix involves replacing the motor and shaft.

I’m not familiar with the 40e, but it’s not a crazy job on the 35i.

[kodpkd]

I know it would be a long shot,,,,, but is easy, probably needs cleaning anyway, and wouldn't hurt any thing. I was wondering if just replacing the actuator motor would fix it? That is much less involved. I know, I would have to put it back together to test if it worked, UGH!

[tfunk88]

If you’ve been keeping up with frequent oil changes it’s probably not dirty in there. I did my valve covers on my 2016 X5 50i and it was spotless in there. Looked brand new. I do oil/filter changes every 5k miles.

If the electric motor went bad then just replacing it should fix it. But often the area where the worm gear from the motor interacts with the teeth of the shaft gets worn and both need to be replaced.

[kodpkd]

I reset the code, took the car for a drive, no code. I thought maybe the code was solved, nope. When I turned the car back on again, it was there again. I thought, if there was an issue, the check engine symbol would come on while I was driving.

[tfunk88]

How long did you drive it?

Does it say at what mileage the code was tripped? You said it is running fine, I think? Have you done any other work to the car recently? It’s possible it’s a bad connection, as in the plug or wiring was jostled, and intermittently the signal from the PCM to the valvetronic motor and back isn’t good.

[kodpkd]

So how in uFck do you remove the spark plugs? I had to order their special socket.
What is the proper gap?

[tfunk88]

Probably need a 14mm spark plug socket. Can get them off Amazon or maybe at Advance Auto

[kodpkd]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Probably need a 14mm spark plug socket. Can get them off Amazon or maybe at Advance Auto

It needs to be a "thin walled" plug puller. geeeeeez!

[kodpkd]

I just got an estimate for replacing the VVT. From an independent and from BMW,,,,, $3500. What I didn't like from the BMW, they still wanted another $400 more just for diagnosis. I think this is a, walk through the door automatic charge.

[kodpkd]

SO,, took it to a BMW shop. They also got the Valvetronic code on their fancy machine. Replaced the Valvetronic actuator. Guess what, still have the same code. How many thousands of dollars to spend to fix this car? Why does the code come up but replacing the part doesn't fix it?

[tfunk88]

Did they also replace the eccentric shaft? Often the problem is the work gear on the motor and the teeth on the shaft get messed up so the motor spins and the shaft doesn’t adjust correctly, if at all

[kodpkd]

The car only has 70,000 miles. They inspected the cam and it is in good shape.