[j3o3t3]

Last week my '11 550i started running/idling rough resulting first in CEL coming on, then drivetrain malfunction warning flashing in vehicle status.

same thing happened about a year ago, @ 21K miles, car now has 37K miles.

Last year my dealer first replaced a O2 sensor, but CEL came back on day I picked her up, then was correctly diagnosed with 2 bad fuel injectors- they then replaced all 8.

Got call from my SA today, 2 more bad injectors, replacing all 8 again.

Anyone had this happen twice?

I asked my SA what is the root cause, he couldn't answer, anyone who this has happened to know what the underlying issue is?

a bit concerned.....

[Alan l.]

Seems like a common issue with the turbo V8. I would ask your SA if bmw replacing your injectors with updated parts that should resolve the issues or just the same exact parts thats prone to future failures.

Alan

[dr.mba]

Are you or have you ever used injector cleaners or fuel rating boosters?

MBA

[Andrey]

I also have 2011 550i and first around 27k one sensor was replaced after i had a " drivetrain mulfunction" warning, shortly after, same thing, i tried restarting engine multiple times so that it wouldn't vibrate. took it to the dealership, they replaced all 8 injectors, didn't have an issue since then, keeping my fingers crossed

[j3o3t3]

Originally Posted by dr.mba

Are you or have you ever used injector cleaners or fuel rating boosters?

MBA

negative- maybe its the gasoline??? always use premium, but sometimes not " name" (Shell, Chevron, etc) brand. ...

[dr.mba]

Happens especially so when filling from old gas stations with debris in their fuel reservoir tanks.

MBA

[j3o3t3]

Just picked her up- SA did investigate and found that these new injectors are a new design and are not likley to leak as prior design has been prone to.

Car runs great, back to normal...

[TheGr8Swami]

Absolutely the same thing happened to my car at 22,000 miles. Started off as rough ignition when the car was cold, the a malfunction indication and the car going into limp-mode.

The dealership replaced all 8 injectors and now I'm keeping my fingers crossed and using Sunoco and Exxon gas only!!

[rborgia]

Figured I would chime in... even though this is a little old. I dropped off the car yesterday for brakes, oil and on occasion the car doesn't seem to want to turn over, it takes the engine about 6-8 revolutions before it starts at times.

Well the SA just called and told me I have two bad injectors that they are replacing. I am just over 12K miles. (2011).

[gtron]

this just happened to me after a long road trip to tucson. i did fill up at a sketchy gas station with 91 and thought it was them but this thread was the first i heard abt fuel being the cause so maybe i was right.

drivetrain mulfunction-> replace all injectors -> o2 sensor

still waiting to get my car back.

[rborgia]

Just got the car back... All 8 injectors replaced.

The SA told me there is an issue with the gasket/seal on the injectors BMW originally used. The new injectors use a different gasket.

[gtron]

just got mine back too.

dicks gave me my car back on empty and the fuel reserve warning light on. who does that?

everything else seems fine so far.

[tp550i]

update: 8 new injectors and spark plugs later, the car feels "new" again, smooth idle and power - Big improvement.

after reading all the posts dealing with bad injectors on the 550's I've been waiting to see if I would have the same problem. this is the first replacement

I only have 24k miles, 2 weeks ago it was CEL with bad O2 sensor, then CEL this week all 8 injectors are being replaced with the "newer" injectors.

this is frustrating especially after last years FP issues on a $65k car.

[Tuffyboy]

Originally Posted by tp550i

update: 8 new injectors and spark plugs later, the car feels "new" again, smooth idle and power - Big improvement.

after reading all the posts dealing with bad injectors on the 550's I've been waiting to see if I would have the same problem. this is the first replacement

I only have 24k miles, 2 weeks ago it was CEL with bad O2 sensor, then CEL this week all 8 injectors are being replaced with the "newer" injectors.

this is frustrating especially after last years FP issues on a $65k car.

Wow- car is at the shop now for this...it just started to vibrate really bad and felt as though it would stall.

What is strange is it happened right after I did warranty service (day later) and they reflashed the software.

Wonder if the software had anything to do with it. She has 23k on her

[tp550i]

Originally Posted by Tuffyboy

Wow- car is at the shop now for this...it just started to vibrate really bad and felt as though it would stall.

I doubt the software is related. Seems like injectors are a problem on the 2011 550i after 20k miles or so.

My idle was rough as well, injector #3 failed and the plug was fuel soaked. I am glad BMW replaced all 8 injectors and plugs. I hope this is a permanent fix

[j3o3t3]

well.. I have an update. had another DT malfunction @ 45 K miles, stopped /started seemed to correct, then the CEL came on- turns out I had a bad coil / fouled plug in one cylinder. All corrected- thank goodness I have a GREAT CA @ BMW SD. They also replaced both front and rear brakes and rotors after some relatively minor pulsating - very nice.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by rborgia

Figured I would chime in... even though this is a little old. I dropped off the car yesterday for brakes, oil and on occasion the car doesn't seem to want to turn over, it takes the engine about 6-8 revolutions before it starts at times.

Well the SA just called and told me I have two bad injectors that they are replacing. I am just over 12K miles. (2011).

Turn over means "rotate" which your car did. "Catch" or "fire" means to ignite the fuel and start running. A car will fail to turn over as a result of a dead battery or some other component that doesn't result in activation of the starter. Failure to catch can be one of several components as I recently learned with a failed power control module.

Glad your problem is fixed.

[aznmr6]

Happened to me about two weeks ago. I had 10K miles on the car. For the last two months it had rough starts and rough idles. Car would lightly tremble at a red light. Two weeks ago I got the "drive train malfunction" error. It was shaking so bad I thought it was going to turn off. Luckily I was near home so once I got back I restarted the car and it went away. None the less I brought the car to Life Quality BMW in Brooklyn and they replaced all eight injectors and spark plugs. So far so good. No idle shaking at all. Super quiet now and seems a bit more powerful and responsive.

[ezmaass]

I'm wondering how the '14's with the N63tu will fair with this problem. I recall reading somewhere that they're now using the injectors from the N55 motor on the N63tu... or am I wrong? I can't remember where I recall reading that... or I could be imagining it altogether!

That said, I think nal13 (with a '14 550xi) was just in for an injector problem... hopefully unrelated to this!

[nal13]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

I'm wondering how the '14's with the N63tu will fair with this problem. I recall reading somewhere that they're now using the injectors from the N55 motor on the N63tu... or am I wrong? I can't remember where I recall reading that... or I could be imagining it altogether!

That said, I think nal13 (with a '14 550xi) was just in for an injector problem... hopefully unrelated to this!

My service advisor explained that there were known problems with the injectors prior to the LCI. Any pre 2014 MY needs all fuel injectors replaced if simply one is defective as BMW had stopped using the older injectors due to questionable reliability issues and the different parts are not compatible. I was told my busted fuel injector was just a fluke and it was the only one replaced.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by nal13

My service advisor explained that there were known problems with the injectors prior to the LCI. Any pre 2014 MY needs all fuel injectors replaced if simply one is defective as BMW had stopped using the older injectors due to questionable reliability issues and the different parts are not compatible. I was told my busted fuel injector was just a fluke and it was the only one replaced.

This is good to know! I think I read that they're now using the N55 injectors. On the N55, I know they moved away from the piezo injectors on the N54 which were also a little troubled...although nothing like what's been discussed here, I think.

[ezmaass]

FWIW - Looked at the N63TU specs and training materials from BMW, and it looks like the N63 used the same piezo injectors found on the N54 (also problematic); however, the N63TU is now using Bosch injectors found on the N20/N55 engines. I think this should confirm what nal13 was told by his SA - looks like BMW addressed this injector reliability issue in the technical update to the N63.