BMW Oil Selection – How to Find the Right Oil?
Your car’s engine is a rather unforgiving place. The pistons, camshafts, crankshaft and all other internal moving parts spin at incredibly high speeds, causing plenty of friction. However, this friction leads to heat and heat leads to component damage. This is where engine oil comes in. It’s one of the most crucial fluids in any […]
Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Troubleshooting Guide
There are three main components that are essential to the regular running of an internal combustion engine — air (oxygen), fuel, and an ignition source. Each of these relies on several of its own systems and processes to ensure that they work correctly. One of the many components of the fuel system is the fuel […]
Bad MAF Sensor Symptoms and Common Causes
Modern-day cars are an amalgamation of thousands of smaller, individual components working together in unison. There are several systems in place, mechanical and electronic, that are interdependent and essential to the normal functioning of a vehicle. One of these components is called the Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor, and it is perhaps the most crucial […]
EVAP System Leak? Here’s What You’re In For
The Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) is a government-mandated part of modern-day cars which prevents gasoline vapors from the tank or other parts of the fuel system from escaping into the atmosphere. BMWs have featured this tech since 1998, and a problem in the system has left thousands of owners wondering if there’s something seriously […]
What is a Leak Detection Pump?
As automotive emission regulations become stricter, manufacturers are forced to design safety measures that keep them in check. One such system that has been around for the last few decades is the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP), which prevents gasoline vapors from the tank or other parts of the fuel system from escaping into the […]
BMW 328i Ignition Coil Replacement – A How-To Guide
Replacing a BMW 328i ignition coil is easier than you might think. Even if you aren’t the most technically adept person, this is a job that you can do at home with just a couple of simple tools and the replacement coils. Doing so will avoid the hassle of having your car parked away at […]
BMW Ignition Coil Guide (N52 and Later)
An ignition coil is a small yet fundamental part of modern-day engines. Without one, your car would misfire and lose power and, if not addressed soon, could lead to more complex problems. Since the early 2000s, the technology behind a BMW ignition coil has remained essentially unchanged. However, the Bavarian giant has sourced the part […]
Ignition Coil Troubleshooting Guide
Is your BMW not running properly? Are you noticing symptoms such as backfires and poor gas mileage? Then you might want to look at your ignition coil. BMW’s affinity for ignition coils is a story as old as time. Luckily, things have gotten better with the later generations of cars from this Bavarian giant. Still, […]
Brake Rotors — Slotted, Drilled, or Plain Jane?
Plain, cross-drilled, slotted…. What’s the difference between these brake rotor designs? This is a very common question and can be confusing to many BMW owners. The proper answer will be different for different BMW owners and enthusiasts. That being said, we’ve put together a short guide that explains the pros and cons of each design. […]
BMW OBD-II Fault Codes — Bank vs Sensor Codes
When using the OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics version 2, used on all models 1996-on) fault codes to diagnose a “CHECK ENGINE” or “Service Engine Soon” light (technically, the MIL or Multi Information Lamp), the codes may use terms such as; Bank-1 or 2, Sensor-1 or 2, Sensor-A or B, etc. BMW OBD-II fault codes are thus […]
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BMW Coolant – What to Get and What to Avoid
Coolants, or antifreeze as it’s sometimes referred to, is a fluid that plays an integral role in regulating the running temperature of your engine. When an engine is running, it produces extreme amounts of heat that, if not managed, can cause catastrophic damage to various parts of the engine. The cooling system, including the coolant […]
BMW VANOS Explained — What It Does, Why It Fails and How to Fix It
Variable valve timing was a true game-changer when it first appeared. Born as a means to achieve the ultimate performance, but also efficiency, VVT was quickly adopted by almost every major car manufacturer out there. This, of course, includes BMW who dubbed their approach to variable valve timing as VANOS, or Variable NockenwellenSteuerung in German. […]
BMW N52 Engine – Everything You Need to Know
By the mid-2000s, BMW had built itself a reputation for developing excellent examples of naturally aspirated inline-six engines. At the turn of the millennium, it revealed the M54 (and the performance-oriented S54 shortly after) and cemented itself as one of the best in the business when it came to the six-pot layout. Needless to say, […]
BMW N51 Engine — All You Need To Know About SULEV
The N52 succeeded the highly-successful M54 and powered multiple BMW cars between 2004 and 2015. While it became one of the most reliable and popular inline-six engines BMW ever made, it had a lesser-known sibling called the N51. Interestingly, the N51 is near-identical to the N52, powering the same cars and available during the same […]