Norfolk Zed Rescue

[Dr_Tripwire]

Or I could bite the bullet and get the replacement MAF and rule it out as being the issue...

[enuff_zed]

Colb explains it better than me, but basically when you do a reset it puts all the system back as it should be. If there is an air leak after the MAF it makes the mixture weak so the DME adds a little more fuel.
Then it starts checking again. After a while, still weak, so adds more fuel. And so on. Eventually it runs out of adjustment, cannot add any more fuel, so puts the warning light on.
So your symptoms seem to point to an air leak.
Smoke test first I think.

[Dr_Tripwire]

So your symptoms seem to point to an air leak.
Smoke test first I think.

Hopefully all will be revealed tomorrow... I've got an evap smoke test arranged for the morning and talking with the chap earlier, he sounded like he knows what he's talking about... Fingers crossed

[Dr_Tripwire]

So I had a smoke test done... The VVT gasket work the garage have done doesn't appear to have been done and tested...I took a video but not sure I can upload it here.https://photos.app.goo.gl/tUYT4krr3eu2QZTV6

Not sure how to embed a photo but have added a link to one...This is the best I could capture as a still image from the video but there's quite a lot of "smoke" coming out with you're stood at the car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x4duCjYpdMw9xpd69

The chap was very good, cleaned the MAF sensor while he was at it but wasn't wanting to attempt repairing the issue other than to tighten the bolts a bit more. This didn't make any difference though.

I'm not sure where I stand with the garage, their investigation and 2 attempts to repair have cost over £200 and I'm wondering if they would agree to a no charge repair as goodwill (as it was 6 months ago that they did the work but I've not driven the car since).

[enuff_zed]

So I had a smoke test done... The VVT gasket work the garage have done doesn't appear to have been done and tested...I took a video but not sure I can upload it here.https://photos.app.goo.gl/tUYT4krr3eu2QZTV6

Not sure how to embed a photo but have added a link to one...This is the best I could capture as a still image from the video but there's quite a lot of "smoke" coming out with you're stood at the car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x4duCjYpdMw9xpd69

The chap was very good, cleaned the MAF sensor while he was at it but wasn't wanting to attempt repairing the issue other than to tighten the bolts a bit more. This didn't make any difference though.

I'm not sure where I stand with the garage, their investigation and 2 attempts to repair have cost over £200 and I'm wondering if they would agree to a no charge repair as goodwill (as it was 6 months ago that they did the work but I've not driven the car since).

I wonder what quality seal they used?
It is actually a very simple job to fit a new seal.
Speak to the garage first and show them your video, but if they won't step up then we can qwuite easily buy a new seal and fit it.
I could come to you for that if you dson't want to drive the car.
Of course, cannot guarantee that will fix the fault, but until you cure that leak you can't move forward.

[Dr_Tripwire]

I wonder what quality seal they used?
It is actually a very simple job to fit a new seal.
Speak to the garage first and show them your video, but if they won't step up then we can qwuite easily buy a new seal and fit it.
I could come to you for that if you dson't want to drive the car.
Of course, cannot guarantee that will fix the fault, but until you cure that leak you can't move forward.

Sorry for the delayed reply - I've done a bit more reading up and it seems like a common problem as the OEM gasket isn't great - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1798605.

The mechanic who did the smoke test has suggested some alternatives - one being gasket material and K2 gasket maker/sealant. He's offered to help with the fix and will do another smoke test to make sure it's all ok - but I really appreciate your offer - thanks very much.

I've decided to write off what hte garage has done as I'll never get to see them do the work again even if they did agree to do it and my concern there is that they will hand it back to me and I'll face the same issue.

If this doesn't resolve the issue with the errors/EML and hunting revs at start up, I'll go get a replacement MAF sensor and see if that does it. I also read up about the CCV and one suggestion as an eay check is to remove the oil cap with the car idling and see if there's strong resistance/suction - apparently that's also a sign off an issue with the breather...that'll be the last thing on my list to repair if the VVT and MAF work doesn't!

Once this is done, I'll be working on the rest of the small list of things - the drivers window regulator decided to go bad so I have another on order and I'm planning to look into the reason why when engaging D or R (Auto box) I get a clunk....I think it's something to do with the auto transmission position switch but I'm yet to further investigate

[enuff_zed]

I wonder what quality seal they used?
It is actually a very simple job to fit a new seal.
Speak to the garage first and show them your video, but if they won't step up then we can qwuite easily buy a new seal and fit it.
I could come to you for that if you dson't want to drive the car.
Of course, cannot guarantee that will fix the fault, but until you cure that leak you can't move forward.

Sorry for the delayed reply - I've done a bit more reading up and it seems like a common problem as the OEM gasket isn't great - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1798605.

The mechanic who did the smoke test has suggested some alternatives - one being gasket material and K2 gasket maker/sealant. He's offered to help with the fix and will do another smoke test to make sure it's all ok - but I really appreciate your offer - thanks very much.

I've decided to write off what hte garage has done as I'll never get to see them do the work again even if they did agree to do it and my concern there is that they will hand it back to me and I'll face the same issue.

If this doesn't resolve the issue with the errors/EML and hunting revs at start up, I'll go get a replacement MAF sensor and see if that does it. I also read up about the CCV and one suggestion as an eay check is to remove the oil cap with the car idling and see if there's strong resistance/suction - apparently that's also a sign off an issue with the breather...that'll be the last thing on my list to repair if the VVT and MAF work doesn't!

Once this is done, I'll be working on the rest of the small list of things - the drivers window regulator decided to go bad so I have another on order and I'm planning to look into the reason why when engaging D or R (Auto box) I get a clunk....I think it's something to do with the auto transmission position switch but I'm yet to further investigate

Sounds like you've found a better mechanic! Keep him onside.

[Dr_Tripwire]

Sounds like you've found a better mechanic! Keep him onside.
HQ of 'Norfolk Zed Re

Definitely... a final update on this one... Got the K2 black gasket sealer today, applied it to both sides of the original gasket, wound the VVT back in (which didn't seem to be wound in properly when we went to take it out as there was some considerable play once removing the 2 bolts... Which I'm really surprised that a BMW specialist had not even put it back properly) and secured it with the bolts... And hey presto, the smoke test showed no leaks, the diagnostics showed no issues, started the car and no hunting revs at start up! So (fingers crossed), winding in the VVT and applying gasket sealant to the gasket looks to have resolved the issues!

Btw the gasket is wafer thin and so the sealer is a good call as it's so thin that there's no possibility for compression to ensure a good seal just by tightening the bolts.

Thanks again for all your help - much appreciated