2006 BMW 530i Idle Shaking/Vibrating
 

The issue i'm having is at idle. the fluctuating rpm going up and down (under 1k). At times the shaking and vibrating of the car, along with the air conditioner on or at off. The "Engine Service" was illuminating.

Then a day later, i started the car and noted their wasn't any rpm idle issues, nor was the "Engine Service" light on.

Then another day, the rpm idle issues return. This time the "Engine Service" light was off or not illuminated.

I searched and found (Number-1) thread on bimmerfest which closely if not exactly describes the issue I am having. Kinda odd, though, the user's story is exactly how it went down for me, or how i came across this issue. The other links are some similarities I believe to help assist in solving the issues. What are ya'llz input?

1- 2006 BMW 530i Idle Shaking/Vibrating - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums
2- https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...orning-128823/
3- https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...ortant-128827/

It still might be a cracked or cracking oil separator, mine was cracked in half, but when the mechanic held it together with his hand the engine immediately purred like a kitten. So it could be that the crack only opens at certain temperatures when the parts expand.

If I were you, I'd read the diagnostic codes. Even though the 'check engine' light is not on right now, code(s) may have been set. How many miles on the car? Do you know if the ignition coil(s) were ever replaced on your car?

Sounds good let me try to figure out how I can get my hands on an On-board diagnostic device.

The car is under 60k. The ignition coils had never been replaced.

Even codes may not tell you the answer, when my oil separator cracked my car threw 4 pages of codes. At the dealer I would've ended up replacing the coils (I showed 5 misfires), the O2 sensors, the spark plugs (which had about 10k miles on them), the secondary air pump, and I can't remember what else - and it still wouldn't have fixed the problem.

I think the oil separator is pretty difficult to diagnose from a bystanders point of view. I have the same car, with almost 100,000 more miles than you do.

I'd change the oil separator and its hoses as well. My CCV cracked around 99,000 miles and did exactly what yours is doing. You can check out the CCV by removing the cabin filter assembly and use a flashlight to see if it is cracked (takes about 15mins). If it is cracked, youre better off replacing the oil separator and the other lines as preventative maintenance.

Keep us updated.

PS I'd leave the coils alone for now

edit: are you losing any oil? having to add a quart every 800 miles or so?

No lost in oil, CCV?

Crankcase Ventilator. If you look at the oil separator diagram, I believe it is number three. It's just a hose the goes from the valve cover to the oil separator that cracks due to cold weather.


However, you are stating no oil loss, so it just might be the ignition coils.

You know what, something's cracked in the engine baby, i'll show you a photo http://imgur.com/a/cJGWt/embed , there isn't any loss in oil level or oil readings, but there sure is oil in the engine bay.

https://5series.net/forums/attachmen..._separator-jpg

If you open your oil filler cap, you should a very slight amount of vaccuum. Any airflow out of it or very strong suction would most likely point to a bad ccv (oil seperator). There's a thread on here somewhere on how to diagnose ccv issues.