Software Update for F10 535 (N55)

bake · 10-19-2018, 12:38 PM

Does anyone know if there is a software update that affects idle for the N55 engine? My car has been experiencing a weird idle dip shortly after startup for a few months now and I still haven't been able to get it sorted out. At first I thought it might have been worn/fouled spark plugs or a bad coil so I went ahead and replaced all 6 of each but that didn't fix the problem. I also thought it could be a problem with my BMS Stage 1 tune so I removed that as well but the problem persists. A mechanic at an indy shop suggested it could be the valvetronic motor failing, but another indy shop noted that a failed valvetronic motor will almost always throw a code and give a CEL (Check Engine Light). Anyone have any insight or experience something similar?

geminiys · 10-20-2018, 01:02 PM

Based on the year I assume you have plenty miles on the car. Do you know if Fuel Injector service was ever performed on your vehicle? The N55 design and similar design engines will have carbon build up present unless cleaning is performed regularly (60-80k miles but all depends on driving). If it wasn't done, I suggest to do this. Second use some additives to the fuel to clean the injectors. Also check for vacuum leak but if one is present it will make idle to be bad even after a few seconds after starting it.
You are using Premium Fuel, right?

bake · 10-21-2018, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geminiys

Based on the year I assume you have plenty miles on the car. Do you know if Fuel Injector service was ever performed on your vehicle? The N55 design and similar design engines will have carbon build up present unless cleaning is performed regularly (60-80k miles but all depends on driving). If it wasn't done, I suggest to do this. Second use some additives to the fuel to clean the injectors. Also check for vacuum leak but if one is present it will make idle to be bad even after a few seconds after starting it.
You are using Premium Fuel, right?

Car has 67k miles and I do lots of short trips so I suppose carbon build-up could be the culprit. Never did anything with the injectors. I don't really like using any of those additives to be honest. And as for fuel, yes, always premium, 93 octane from premium outlets (Sunoco, BP, etc.)

ezaircon4jc · 10-21-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bake

Car has 67k miles and I do lots of short trips so I suppose carbon build-up could be the culprit. Never did anything with the injectors. I don't really like using any of those additives to be honest. And as for fuel, yes, always premium, 93 octane from premium outlets (Sunoco, BP, etc.)

You do know the good gas has those additives already, yes?

bake · 10-22-2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by bake

Car has 67k miles and I do lots of short trips so I suppose carbon build-up could be the culprit. Never did anything with the injectors. I don't really like using any of those additives to be honest. And as for fuel, yes, always premium, 93 octane from premium outlets (Sunoco, BP, etc.)

You do know the good gas has those additives already, yes?

Yes I know that. I meant I haven't made a practice in using additional additives on top of those. But perhaps I need to look into it.

jonobro · 10-23-2018, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geminiys

Based on the year I assume you have plenty miles on the car. Do you know if Fuel Injector service was ever performed on your vehicle? The N55 design and similar design engines will have carbon build up present unless cleaning is performed regularly (60-80k miles but all depends on driving). If it wasn't done, I suggest to do this. Second use some additives to the fuel to clean the injectors. Also check for vacuum leak but if one is present it will make idle to be bad even after a few seconds after starting it.
You are using Premium Fuel, right?

My f10 has 110k+ you recommend changing fuel injectors if so which ones exactly thanks !

MOBF10 · 10-23-2018, 02:36 PM

I would definitely recommend walnut blasting. Did it to one of my other turbo cars and idle was a lot smoother after. It was also done around 60k miles too.

ezaircon4jc · 10-23-2018, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOBF10

I would definitely recommend walnut blasting. Did it to one of my other turbo cars and idle was a lot smoother after. It was also done around 60k miles too.

Not as important on the N55 as it was on the N54. My dealer told me they don't do it on the N55 until they've exhausted all other avenues. BMW changed the "ventilation" on the N55 to correct the issue of carbon buildup on the N54.

NinetyEight740 · 10-24-2018, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Not as important on the N55 as it was on the N54. My dealer told me they don't do it on the N55 until they've exhausted all other avenues. BMW changed the "ventilation" on the N55 to correct the issue of carbon buildup on the N54.

It’s still happening on n55 and we are seeing it more and more. Doesn’t build up to the same amount as n54 tended to, but it’s still an issue on n55

MOBF10 · 10-24-2018, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Not as important on the N55 as it was on the N54. My dealer told me they don't do it on the N55 until they've exhausted all other avenues. BMW changed the "ventilation" on the N55 to correct the issue of carbon buildup on the N54.

As long as its direct injection there will be a need for walnut blasting regardless of what was improved over the n54. Direct injection will always cause build up on your intake valves, period. Only time you can probably stop worrying is if your car is running meth daily.

bake · 10-24-2018, 12:50 PM

About how much does a walnut blasting service cost? I do lots of short trips so this could certainly be contributing to my issues.

Shieldze1025 · 10-24-2018, 03:06 PM

Sure it would help, but it is only really NEEDED on N54's. N55's have nowhere near as much buildup. It's barely a film on N55's, I've heard of N54's looking like a clogged artery.

ezaircon4jc · 10-24-2018, 04:07 PM

[QUOTE=Shieldze1025;23895817...I've heard of N54's looking like a clogged artery.[/QUOTE]

I had one of those...

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10-19-2018, 12:38 PM	#1
bake Colonel 602 Rep 2,196 Posts Drives: 2011 F10, 2013 E93 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (9)	Software Update for F10 535 (N55) Does anyone know if there is a software update that affects idle for the N55 engine? My car has been experiencing a weird idle dip shortly after startup for a few months now and I still haven't been able to get it sorted out. At first I thought it might have been worn/fouled spark plugs or a bad coil so I went ahead and replaced all 6 of each but that didn't fix the problem. I also thought it could be a problem with my BMS Stage 1 tune so I removed that as well but the problem persists. A mechanic at an indy shop suggested it could be the valvetronic motor failing, but another indy shop noted that a failed valvetronic motor will almost always throw a code and give a CEL (Check Engine Light). Anyone have any insight or experience something similar? __________________ *Bake* 2011 Alpine White on Black 535i M-Sport 2013 Space Gray on Fox Red M3 Vert
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10-20-2018, 01:02 PM	#2
geminiys Private 18 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2013, 535XI & 2005 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Based on the year I assume you have plenty miles on the car. Do you know if Fuel Injector service was ever performed on your vehicle? The N55 design and similar design engines will have carbon build up present unless cleaning is performed regularly (60-80k miles but all depends on driving). If it wasn't done, I suggest to do this. Second use some additives to the fuel to clean the injectors. Also check for vacuum leak but if one is present it will make idle to be bad even after a few seconds after starting it. You are using Premium Fuel, right? __________________ 2013, 535 XDrive, 112k miles 1997, 328is, 335k miles - Retired 1998, ML320, 200k miles - Sold 2018, Q5, 100 miles 2005, XC70 AWD, 160k miles
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10-23-2018, 02:36 PM	#7
MOBF10 Captain 171 Rep 616 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: May 2018 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	I would definitely recommend walnut blasting. Did it to one of my other turbo cars and idle was a lot smoother after. It was also done around 60k miles too.
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10-24-2018, 12:50 PM	#11
bake Colonel 602 Rep 2,196 Posts Drives: 2011 F10, 2013 E93 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (9)	About how much does a walnut blasting service cost? I do lots of short trips so this could certainly be contributing to my issues. __________________ *Bake* 2011 Alpine White on Black 535i M-Sport 2013 Space Gray on Fox Red M3 Vert
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10-24-2018, 03:06 PM	#12
Shieldze1025 Keepin' America Free 72 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Haleiwa, HI iTrader: (7)	Sure it would help, but it is only really NEEDED on N54's. N55's have nowhere near as much buildup. It's barely a film on N55's, I've heard of N54's looking like a clogged artery. __________________ F10 535i \| Retired: E60 ///M5 \| E92 335i "If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough" -Mario Andretti
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10-24-2018, 04:07 PM	#13
ezaircon4jc Major General 4479 Rep 5,362 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE=Shieldze1025;23895817...I've heard of N54's looking like a clogged artery.[/QUOTE] I had one of those...
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