[Got5.on.it]

So.....I have a 2000 528i, E39, 180K miles, and My mechanic said yesterday I have a leaking fuel injector on cylinder 6. He Wasn't specific about the leak, not sure if its O-ring, the body of the injector or the top or bottom of it is leaking. (YES, I should have asked, but pretty upset with the list of things gone wrong....wanted go home haha :thumbdwn

Heres a list of problems right now:

-Valve seal is leaking (right onto my crank sensor, causing a misfire in cylinder 3?)
-Oil filter seal leaking (seeping)
-Power steering reservoir is leaking (seeping)
-BOTH crank sensors need replacement
-Leaking injector on cyl 6
-Needs a replacement spark plug on either cyl 3, or 6
-Possible fuel leaking down through cylinder (or oil)

At this point my car is not operable, clearly i know when to be safe....so my questions are:

1) What fixes need to be done first? and in what order? I know the injector is most important, as that could cause the most damage. I'm having it towed this week to my shop, no driving!

2) I've read that replacing all injectors is ideal, but that's an expensive fix I'm unable to accommodate right now. So, Is replacing just one okay? or is that going to make wear and tear uneven or cause another error or problem? I intend to keep this bimmer for awhile, so i know replacing them is my best bet.

3) The crank sensors, are they easy to replace myself? or should I just have the shop do it while they're replacing the injector and spark plug?

4) Anybody have an estimate on what it costs to have one injector done vs. all 6?

LAST PROBLEM: This is clearly a related issue, but maybe someone can help with my specific problem instead of searching the forums (as i DO, please don't respond telling me to look around, i HAVE, but would like specific answers if possible) :thumbup:

-On first start-up of day, the idle will drop in intervals, every 2-3 seconds, a small dip in rpm that sort of feels like it wanting to stall. Does that till its at operating temperature and then its gone, probably exists while I'm idling at a stop light but much less noticeable.

Anyways, if anybody has some answers to these questions, that'd be nice. my bmw mechanic will be looking at it this week, i'll be posting the solutions to all these problems as it goes along and posting them on the appropriate forums.

THANKS!

 

[TheHockeytowner]

I wouldn't replace all of the injectors; have them serviced by a reputable injector cleaning/flow-matching service (I went with Mr. Injector about 3 years ago).

Then replace the valve cover gasket, and the camshaft (not crank) sensors. Be sure to use OEM sensors and not aftermarket -- many users have had poor results with aftermarket camshaft position sensors (still throws codes despite replacement).

If one spark plug needs replacement, you might as well do all 6. Cheap DIY.

Oil filter housing (OFH) leaks are annoying, but it's not as important as the rest of the problems. The PS reservoir leak should be addressed immediately, otherwise it could mess up your alternator.

If you're having a shop handle all of these problems, BOHICA. Don't let your jaw hit the floor when you see the bill!

 

[E39Hoon]

If you have tools and experience with working on your vehicle, I would highly recommend doing a lot of this yourself. Hockeytowner is on point. Get some OEM sensors and replace the cam not crank sensors. They're not too bad. Plugs are easy to swap. Make sure you have various ratchet extensions for the cylinder against the firewall. Oil filter housing can wait. Find that PS leak and fix the hose. Become familiar with the PS system because it will not be your last time working on it. Injectors get expensive so have them serviced instead of replaced. Save yourself a lot of money and do as much of this yourself as you can.

 

[Got5.on.it]

Okay sweet. I do have mild amounts of DIY experience. On Japanese cars tho. This is only my second BMW.

If you recommend a place to watch some videos or read. I'd appreciate that. For now I'm sticking to forums to read and locate specific issues.

About how much would a servicing of injectors cost? Do I service the leaking one or just do them all? Is there a preference? I'll search the forums on this right now

 

[GrannyApple]

Okay sweet. I do have mild amounts of DIY experience. On Japanese cars tho. This is only my second BMW.

If you recommend a place to watch some videos or read. I'd appreciate that. For now I'm sticking to forums to read and locate specific issues.

About how much would a servicing of injectors cost? Do I service the leaking one or just do them all? Is there a preference? I'll search the forums on this right now

You must do them all. A base cleansing will cost you around 30 bucks if you take the injectors off yourself.

 

[Got5.on.it]

I looked around decided cleaning was clearly the best option, replacement is in the unfortunate circumstance of having corrosion or injector body damage.....

Now I need a guide on how to remove the fuel assembly and get the injectors out, i'm not finding a whole lot that is detailed, if anybody knows of a detailed start-to-finish guide let me know.

it appears cleaning of all 6 would be cheaper than buying 1 new injector :rofl:

I live in SD, CA anyone got a recommendation for a cleaning service in town?

 

[TheHockeytowner]

Pelican Parts to the rescue!

 

[Got5.on.it]

Yup pelican parts is what I needed.

Thanks all for who helped. I'll be sure to post what I see and do on this thread.

 

[Got5.on.it]

So I called my local specialist, whose done work on my car and been pretty honest and a good deal. Problem is he doesn't do the injector cleaning like I've been referred to by the intellectuals on this site.

He cleans them while they're still in the car. Pumping what he calls a "potent high pressure detergent" through them.

This isn't what I've looked around and heard is a good idea... Most people say send them off to have ultrasonic cleaning and servicing.

-injector is "leaking" so is the cleaning going to fix that? Probably not...

- it seems like just taking them out myself and sending them off is the best bet.

Thoughts??

 

[eburnz]

I would pull them first my self, before dishing out unnecessary money,

if the o-rings are degrading / old / hard, then most likely you need new o rings...(hence the leakage) mines are old who knows or how long, but I never had any leaking from my injectors tho - so i go with the remedy if its not broken why fix it....

-clean the holes with a damp q-tip while you're in there and hand clean the injectors
-This wouldn't hurt but after you put everything back to test with new o rings, throw some techron fuel injector cleaner in there (2 bottles)

then post back with results.

are you getting any DTC's codes that boils down to vaccum leaks ?

 

[Alika808]

So

-injector is "leaking" so is the cleaning going to fix that? Probably not...

- it seems like just taking them out myself and sending them off is the best bet.

Cleaning the injectors will not fix the leaking issue. Unless you open it and replace the core ring, etc. but it's too much too do and I am not sure if you can buy or where to buy those parts, if I were you just replace it.

 

[spoddye39]

Getting the injectors out is pretty easy. Its a little scary at first but really not hard at all. Suggest you take them out and have a look. Personally contrary to others advice I would replace just the faulty one and get everything else running properly before you lash out. For example if the crank sensors actually are faulty then you really need to get onto these ASAP, but for the moment ignore the leaks.

My opinion anyway.

Spod

 

[cn90]

I'd do 2 things:

- Send them for cleaning and yes, once cleaned, they should stop leaking. Below is a very reputable cleaner:
http://www.mrinjector.us/

- Buy a few used injectors on ebay for cheap. Take them home and clean them yourself (youtube video etc.), then keep them as spare.
Just make sure you buy from a vehicles with low miles (<100K miles) and with correct color (Pink etc.). There are a few different versions for the E39.

 

[TheHockeytowner]

I'd do 2 things:

- Send them for cleaning and yes, once cleaned, they should stop leaking. Below is a very reputable cleaner:
http://www.mrinjector.us/

- Buy a few used injectors on ebay for cheap. Take them home and clean them yourself (youtube video etc.), then keep them as spare.
Just make sure you buy from a vehicles with low miles (<100K miles) and with correct color (Pink etc.). There are a few different versions for the E39.

+1 for Mr. Injector. Not only are the injectors cleaned/flow-matched, they are rebuilt with new o-rings, etc. They come back looking and performing like new.

 

[Got5.on.it]

Pulled the Fuel Rail off last night, wouldn't you know it..... the o-rings on that leaking injector were bad! One of them had a small portion hanging off the side. Not sure how they were so tore up, probably have never had maintenance. In any case, i'm sending them off for service, now that they're off and the car is immobile anyway. (It'd be nice to have a spare set to pop in that were already clean! Notice to people who haven't tried this yet)

I'll post before and afters and the view of my extremely worn injectors and o-rings later.


But now I've gone to change my VCG, due to a fairly sufficient leak. And the VC itself is warped! @#*!&%

I haven't been able to locate a used one of these, they're so expensive, but the best move is to by a new one. At least then if the problem continues I'll have someone to hold accountable besides me! haha

 

[boostmaster]

Will this one work for you?
Just over $100 on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-02-BMW-E...r:2000|Model:528i&hash=item2356101a2b&vxp=mtr

BTW, I did all the other things in your list to my car without spending a fortune- between ebay and fcp euro I got the best prices. (hoses for power steering were like $40 total, Mann oil filters like $6 bucks or so with the seals included, etc...) Hope this helps.

 

[Alika808]

Will this one work for you?
Just over $100 on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-02-BMW-E...r:2000|Model:528i&hash=item2356101a2b&vxp=mtr

I am not sure on the used coil pack. If I were you I rather replace with new OEM coil pack. :dunno:

 

[boostmaster]

That's not a coil pack, it's a used valve cover. OP said his was warped.. Used covers seem to be fetching $250+

 

[ca2014mp2]

Yeah,, warped is not surprise as they are made of plastic.. fortunately they have some give when you bolt them back in..which is what I would try first before replacement.

 

[GrannyApple]

That's not a coil pack, it's a used valve cover. OP said his was warped.. Used covers seem to be fetching $250+

Junkyard and for 25 bucks?