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Red Oil Pressure Light, Howling Noise, P0015 + P0304 — Need Advice Before Getting Ripped Off

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Sepvs

New member
Hey all,

Today, while coming back from a car wash, my car (Z4 E89 Sdrive30i M Sport A 2010 N52) engine suddenly started howling (high-pitched noise) and running rough. Then I got a red oil pressure warning light, so I pulled over and shut it off.

At first it wouldn't start again, but after waiting 10–15 mins, it restarted fine. The light came back later on, along with the noise. Once again, turning it off and on seemed to "reset" it temporarily.

I scanned it and got two codes:

P0015 — B Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)

P0304 — Cylinder 4 Misfire

No freeze frame data stored.
Car starts and drives after restarting.
No loud ticking or chain rattle at idle. Just howling + the oil pressure warning when it happens.

What I’ve Been Told So Far:
One BMW garage quoted £2.1k for full VANOS + timing kit replacement

My old mechanic said it could be £1.5k, but he doesn’t do jobs anymore

I’m trying not to get robbed before I’ve even tried the basics

My Plan:
Oil + OEM filter change (in case it’s a collapsed insert)

Clean or replace VANOS solenoids

Replace spark plug + coil on cylinder 4

Clear codes and road test

My Question:
Does this sound like classic oil flow/VANOS solenoid failure or something deeper (e.g. chain tensioner / oil pump / VANOS gear)?
Would I be crazy to try the cheaper steps first before considering full timing work?

Appreciate any help from those who've been through this.
 
Sepvs said:
Hey all,

Today, while coming back from a car wash, my car (Z4 E89 Sdrive30i M Sport A 2010 N52) engine suddenly started howling (high-pitched noise) and running rough. Then I got a red oil pressure warning light, so I pulled over and shut it off.

At first it wouldn't start again, but after waiting 10–15 mins, it restarted fine. The light came back later on, along with the noise. Once again, turning it off and on seemed to "reset" it temporarily.

I scanned it and got two codes:

P0015 — B Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)

P0304 — Cylinder 4 Misfire

No freeze frame data stored.
Car starts and drives after restarting.
No loud ticking or chain rattle at idle. Just howling + the oil pressure warning when it happens.

What I’ve Been Told So Far:
One BMW garage quoted £2.1k for full VANOS + timing kit replacement

My old mechanic said it could be £1.5k, but he doesn’t do jobs anymore

I’m trying not to get robbed before I’ve even tried the basics

My Plan:
Oil + OEM filter change (in case it’s a collapsed insert)

Clean or replace VANOS solenoids

Replace spark plug + coil on cylinder 4

Clear codes and road test

My Question:
Does this sound like classic oil flow/VANOS solenoid failure or something deeper (e.g. chain tensioner / oil pump / VANOS gear)?
Would I be crazy to try the cheaper steps first before considering full timing work?

Appreciate any help from those who've been through this.
Click to expand...
The squealing and low oil pressure would suggest to me that the oil filter has collapsed and changing the filter would be my first course of action. Also check that the oil filter cap isn’t broken inside, the filter should click into the top, if I remember correctly.
 
Very odd and worrying..as suggested oil change / fresh filter..Vanos code could be caused by no oil pressure..

Check compression on cylinder 4

Maybe bore score ..or other related issue
 
Ignore my bore score..that’s only for N20 engines..

Maybe Vanos fault but no oil pressure unless it’s a sensor fault..very very bad news
 
Rockhopper said:
Fingers crossed you haven't caused even more damage by continuing to try and drive it with the red oil light on.
Click to expand...
I drove it home, the sound would go away when restarting the engine and oil pressure warning light was not on but as soon as it came on a couple times on my journey I turned the engine off and restarted, total journey time was 10-20mins
 
B21 said:
Ignore my bore score..that’s only for N20 engines..

Maybe Vanos fault but no oil pressure unless it’s a sensor fault..very very bad news
Click to expand...
I'm gonna try doing the oil filter and oil change and also see if i can get the solenoids out to clean with brake cleaner, I'm hoping this will fix the issue, also gonna change the coil and plug on cyl4
 
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