[e90yyc]

2007 328xi
Approx 385k kms (240k miles)

2A87 - Exhaust Camshaft DTC appeared during very cold (-30F) weather. I’ve cleared it numerous times but it keeps coming back. No drivability issues as far as I can tell.

I ran a log with BimmerLink (graph of the data attached). I had to remove some data points as I was logging other parameters that resulted in about 20,000 lines in the dataset, so if this looks off, I can re-run it. (I don’t think I helped with all the jabbing at the throttle.)

I haven’t tried swapping solenoids yet—obviously that’s my first step.

Does cam ledge wear have any tells that would appear in a log, when compared to sticking or otherwise bad VANOS solenoids?

[NZE90]

If it's happening on a cold start when the oil is thicker, then i would think it wouldn't be cam ledges, as the oil pressure wouldn't be able to leak past the ledge seals as easily as it would if the engine were hot and oil thinner.

Have you tried clearing the fault when the engine is hot and seeing if it comes back? Do you know what condition your Vanos filters/check valves are in?

[mainbearing]

Yeah try swapping the the solenoids first, see if the code moves to the intake side. I had an intermittent exchaust cam over retarded code, and a new solenoid solved that.

In my case it was not the cam ledge problem (yet), but that is always on my mind. So only 0W40 or 5W40 for me (typical HTHS > 3.5). FCP has an article on the cam ledge problem (below).

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1745740

https://help.fcpeuro.com/hc/en-us/ar...wear-explained

[IchMagBMW]

Check your oil filter cap. Weak spring or missing oring would cause similar code(s) due to low oil pressure.

[e90yyc]

Realized I kinda shit the bed on following up here.

NZE90: Thanks. That makes sense. No clue what shape they’re in but I cleaned them many years ago and they appeared to be in fine shape. I will start by inspecting them again and swapping them.

There is a weird chain-like rattle that I’ve experienced for many years now, only on cold start and not for very long. I don’t think it’s lifter tick but I have no clue. Only audible at certain RPMs and fades pretty quickly.

Haven’t tried clearing when hot but if it comes back I will do that. It seemed to recur regularly for a while, but I cleared it a week or two ago and it hasn’t come back yet…

mainbearing: Thanks and will do. I’ve seen that article too. Maybe one day I’ll replace the seals, but I know that’s a decent lift. So I’ll delay as long as I can, ha.

[chilledn52]

Hey e90yyc!
I had 2A87 constantly but it was more when the engine was up to temp.
My solution to my problem was the exhaust camshaft sprocket, starved it of oil on track not being topped up enough
looking at the log, seems like its varying above and below setpoint, I had my varying around on timing.
Best of luck

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by chilledn52

Hey e90yyc!
I had 2A87 constantly but it was more when the engine was up to temp.
My solution to my problem was the exhaust camshaft sprocket, starved it of oil on track not being topped up enough
looking at the log, seems like its varying above and below setpoint, I had my varying around on timing.
Best of luck

Hey!

Thanks man!

Can you clarify what the solution was?

And are you saying your issue was oil starvation while tracking the car?

Sorry—just want to make sure I’m understanding.

Much appreciated!

[chilledn52]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Hey!

Thanks man!

Can you clarify what the solution was?

And are you saying your issue was oil starvation while tracking the car?

Sorry—just want to make sure I’m understanding.

Much appreciated!

changed the exhaust camshaft sprocket

I was not topped up on oil, in between min and mix, and taking corners at 1.5Gs. Should be overfilled by .5L on track