BMW Oxygen Sensor – O2 Sensors

All BMW cars starting from 1980, have an oxygen sensor, often called an “O2 sensor”. Newer BMW’s have as many as four 02 sensors. The oxygen sensor is part of your BMW’s emissions control system and can detect rich and lean fuel mixtures and sends this data to the BMW engine management computer. The purpose of the oxygen sensor is to help the engine run as efficiently as possible and also to produce as few emissions as possible.

Knowing how much oxygen is detected in the exhaust system and the resulting emissions tells the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio inside the engine’s combustion chamber to add (richen) or taking away (lean) the fuel mixture.

While running lean or rich, the engine will still operate, but it won’t perform anywhere near as it should
when the air and fuel in the combustion chamber are in optimal balance.

When your BMW oxygen sensor fails, the computer can no longer sense the air/fuel ratio, resulting in poor performance, poor gas mileage, and increased pollution. You’ll probably experience jerky acceleration, misfires, and rough idling.

O2 SENSOR FAILURE
When the O2 sensor starts to fail, it lets the driver know by illuminating the Engine Management Light. The engine management light is known to many drivers as the check engine light.

WHAT IS THE VANOS SYSTEM?

It is BMW’s design of the automobile engines variable valve timing. First released in the early 1990’s, this enhancement to the engine valve system allows for improved engine performance because of the reflexive opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. VANOS increases torque and improves idling of your BMW.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A FAILING VANOS SYSTEM
In general, issues with the VANOS system will result in a decline in engine performance, efficiency and fuel economy. If the VANOS
system begins to fail, you are likely to notice one or more of the following issues:

• Loss of Power/Torque
•  A Hesitating Engine at Low RPM
• Rough Idling
• Increase in Fuel Consumption/Reduction in Fuel Economy
• Cold Start Issues
•  Stalling in Cold Weather
• Fault Codes such as the check engine light.
• Engine Feeling Weak After Accelerating
•  

Fuel Pump

Owners of some of the most popular BMW models have reported issues with the high-pressure fuel pump, which can cause poor acceleration, engine stuttering at high speed or even a failure of the engine to turn over at all.

All engines have two fuel pumps, the low-pressure pump which takes gas out of the tank, and the high-pressure pump which pushes the gasoline into the combustion chamber.

Symptoms of High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

1. Poor Acceleration
2. Engine Sputtering at High Speed
3. Engine Struggles To Turn Over

Fuel Injectors

One of the most common symptoms of a clogged fuel injector is difficulty starting the engine, Other symptoms may be:

Difficulty Accelerating
Difficulty Idling
Poor Fuel Economy

Fuel injectors can fail when debris like dirt, water, or rust find their way into the fuel system of your BMW and, after a while, clog up the nozzle, or the nozzle needle gets jammed.

At times, the Certified BMW technicians at Ian’s Garage can bring the injector back to life by using Ultrasonic vibration is often used to break up deposits, followed by high-pressure flushing,

When possible, purchase high-quality fuel from reputable service stations that are known for their premium fuel — we talk more about fuel here …