I find a 2001 330i 5MT with an Active Autowerks Rotrex C30 kit on craigslist 30 mins from my house. Test drove the car. Owner tells me full maintenance history. He says no problems except for an SES that shows up every couple years or so - just need a MAF cleaning.
I buy the car, couple days later P0172 P0175 SES codes appear (Bank 1 & 2 running rich). I clear the codes and clean the MAF. A few days later, the weather hits 100F - SES reappears and the car goes into limp mode. Refuses to rev over 2k-2.5k. I park the car, come back later in the day when temp drops below 85 and the car drives fine with no codes for the next few days when the temp is in the 70s. Behavior occurs again as soon as temp hits 90F. It throws additional misfire codes. I call the PO - he says he's never seen the limp mode issue.
I install a new MAF. Same problem. Car does not like warm temperatures. Some days are better than others. I encounter a new code P1603 (Control Module Self Test, Torque Monitoring).
After searching the forums, I come across a surprise. I come across a thread describing the very same issues that I have. I look at the signature, same mods, same color... I look at the town and the screen name. GOD DAMN IT. The PO is on this forum, and created a thread 2 years ago with the same problem. He's had at least 4 shops look at the car with no results. Each shop says it's a problem with the supercharger, but can't identify the problem.
He listed all of his troubleshooting steps
- replaced vanos w new seals
- replaced head unit, black box, sensors,
- cleaned ICV, DISA
- checked O2 sensors
- looked for vacuum leaks
- replaced all the clamps
- scanned with GT1
- checked battery
- checked engine to chassis ground strap
- checked Alternator
- replaced valve cover
- smoke test & repaired small leaks
- checked w UV light
- replaced vortech fmu
At this point, there's nothing I can do with regards to the previous owner. I'm primarily concerned with trying to figure out what to do with this car. Unfortunately, I sold my previous daily driver, so I'm a bit stuck. I need help with trying to get this machine running reliably.
So I have 3 options:
- pull the supercharger, return the car to stock
- fix the running rich issue
- get rid of the car
Does anyone know of any issues with supercharger uninstalls? Aside from the airbox / ecu, are there any parts I need to acquire?
Do you think he's caused any damage to the engine/cats by driving the car with this problem for the past 2 years for over 15,000+ miles?
Limp mode issues aside, I like this car. Body and interior is clean. I'm inclined to wanting to keep this car. Unfortunately, I just spent a decent amount of money getting new tires and brakes.
My intention for this post is to not seek vengeance, and I will not post the previous owner's screen name/info. Nor am I saying anything bad about the AA kit. I just need help getting out of my sucky situation. Thanks much.
I buy the car, couple days later P0172 P0175 SES codes appear (Bank 1 & 2 running rich). I clear the codes and clean the MAF. A few days later, the weather hits 100F - SES reappears and the car goes into limp mode. Refuses to rev over 2k-2.5k. I park the car, come back later in the day when temp drops below 85 and the car drives fine with no codes for the next few days when the temp is in the 70s. Behavior occurs again as soon as temp hits 90F. It throws additional misfire codes. I call the PO - he says he's never seen the limp mode issue.
I install a new MAF. Same problem. Car does not like warm temperatures. Some days are better than others. I encounter a new code P1603 (Control Module Self Test, Torque Monitoring).
After searching the forums, I come across a surprise. I come across a thread describing the very same issues that I have. I look at the signature, same mods, same color... I look at the town and the screen name. GOD DAMN IT. The PO is on this forum, and created a thread 2 years ago with the same problem. He's had at least 4 shops look at the car with no results. Each shop says it's a problem with the supercharger, but can't identify the problem.
He listed all of his troubleshooting steps
- replaced vanos w new seals
- replaced head unit, black box, sensors,
- cleaned ICV, DISA
- checked O2 sensors
- looked for vacuum leaks
- replaced all the clamps
- scanned with GT1
- checked battery
- checked engine to chassis ground strap
- checked Alternator
- replaced valve cover
- smoke test & repaired small leaks
- checked w UV light
- replaced vortech fmu
At this point, there's nothing I can do with regards to the previous owner. I'm primarily concerned with trying to figure out what to do with this car. Unfortunately, I sold my previous daily driver, so I'm a bit stuck. I need help with trying to get this machine running reliably.
So I have 3 options:
- pull the supercharger, return the car to stock
- fix the running rich issue
- get rid of the car
Does anyone know of any issues with supercharger uninstalls? Aside from the airbox / ecu, are there any parts I need to acquire?
Do you think he's caused any damage to the engine/cats by driving the car with this problem for the past 2 years for over 15,000+ miles?
Limp mode issues aside, I like this car. Body and interior is clean. I'm inclined to wanting to keep this car. Unfortunately, I just spent a decent amount of money getting new tires and brakes.
My intention for this post is to not seek vengeance, and I will not post the previous owner's screen name/info. Nor am I saying anything bad about the AA kit. I just need help getting out of my sucky situation. Thanks much.