CSL Slight Misfire

Sarsonic · 05-05-2020, 01:51 PM

Got the CSL out on a brief trip to the shops, after being SORN for a few months. I'd forgotten that I had started noticing a slight misfire last year but on taking the car out, the first time I got past 20mph I noticed it. I'm not sure if it's in 3/4 gear but it's certainly around 2300/ 2400rpm, there is a hesitation from the engine. I've only had the car 10 months or so and it came with a BMW warranty. Obviously it seems the best place to take it is Portslade so I'm booking it in now but has anyone else had this? Can anyone suggest any tests or info I can provide to the workshop to help them find and resolve it? I don't mind driving it to Brighton but I'd rather get the car back fixed and avoid any back and forth, if I can help them in advance.
Thanks all!

**Mike R** · 05-05-2020, 04:40 PM

it could be anything from coil-packs, sparkplugs or even a head gasket. Best thing to do is get the dealership to check for codes and see if anything is coming up (which it should do if it is the coil-packs).

Do you have a check engine light showing? If so, that would indicate an issue that would be logged in the DME. If not, that would indicate a head gasket....

Either way, BMW should be able to carry out the necessary checks to determine the fault.

Sarsonic · 05-05-2020, 05:31 PM

Thanks Mike, good point. There are no warning lights or no other signs at all. I'm concerned the dealership might miss it but if they can do checks for that type of fault, that's good to know. I've got it booked into Portsdale BMW for next week.
Thanks for your response. I'll keep you posted as to what is found

rstoughy · 06-05-2020, 07:01 AM

When my head gasket went the car was idling rough, not off a cylinder but you could tell it just wasn't right. When driving once you got up to speed say 50 / 60mph and then accelerated and put the car under load you could hear the engine pinking.
Mine was gone between 5 of the 6 cylinders.

Just get it booked in and ask them to perform a leak down test.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Sarsonic · 26-07-2020, 06:59 PM

Hi all.

Sorry for the delay. The car ended up being at Portslade BMW for a couple of months so only had it back a few weeks.
The technicians couldn't replicate the fault and they couldn't therefore find a way to do a compression test under warranty. In the end I decided to play it safe and pay for the test myself, these were the results;
Cylinder 1:9% -- Cylinder 2: 12%
Cylinder 3:12% -- Cylinder 4:9%
Cylinder 5:8% -- Cylinder 6:10%
Found cylinder 3 and 4 slightly higher, but not indicative of a fault or failure.
Driven the car a couple of times since having it back and to be fair to the garage, I can't now replicate the fault either! These test results don't mean much to me but Portslade said it doesn't show a fault as you can see. Now my AUC warranty has expired I've decided to extend the warranty anyway.
Glad to have the car back, got the mirror housing replaced and repainted while it was there and had the MOT done.

Just so you all know, it sounds like most the the Portslade staff you guys know and lov,e have now moved to Chandlers Hailsham.

Got a few things I'd still like to do to the car; Tyres are 6 years old so considering replacing them with Cup2's and and potentially doing a trackday in it, (which might get me wanting to upgrade the brakes). At some point I need to re-lacquer the sill plates, replace the steering wheel trim and the shift paddles. It could also do with a nice professional detail and polish to get rid of some light scratches and etching.

Had the car a year now and love it to bits, looking forward to many more years and miles with it.

Sarsonic

**Mike R** · 27-07-2020, 09:07 AM

Definitely get it on track - it will come alive (compared to pottering around being restricted to speed limits)

**cantfind1** · 26-11-2020, 12:05 PM

2300 to 2400 rpm misfire can also be caused by vanos. I'd do a vanos test and also a vanos pressure test. Pressure should be around 1400 to 1600psi cold start.

05-05-2020, 01:51 PM	#1
Sarsonic Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Casino cash: $336	CSL Slight Misfire Got the CSL out on a brief trip to the shops, after being SORN for a few months. I'd forgotten that I had started noticing a slight misfire last year but on taking the car out, the first time I got past 20mph I noticed it. I'm not sure if it's in 3/4 gear but it's certainly around 2300/ 2400rpm, there is a hesitation from the engine. I've only had the car 10 months or so and it came with a BMW warranty. Obviously it seems the best place to take it is Portslade so I'm booking it in now but has anyone else had this? Can anyone suggest any tests or info I can provide to the workshop to help them find and resolve it? I don't mind driving it to Brighton but I'd rather get the car back fixed and avoid any back and forth, if I can help them in advance. Thanks all!

05-05-2020, 04:40 PM	#2
Mike R S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,582 Casino cash: $17548	it could be anything from coil-packs, sparkplugs or even a head gasket. Best thing to do is get the dealership to check for codes and see if anything is coming up (which it should do if it is the coil-packs). Do you have a check engine light showing? If so, that would indicate an issue that would be logged in the DME. If not, that would indicate a head gasket.... Either way, BMW should be able to carry out the necessary checks to determine the fault. __________________ Mike R Sarcasm is just a free service I provide. Nordschleife, there's only two barriers to worry about - the ones on the left and the ones on the right . CSL number 044

06-05-2020, 07:01 AM	#4
rstoughy S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 1,946 Casino cash: $25356	When my head gasket went the car was idling rough, not off a cylinder but you could tell it just wasn't right. When driving once you got up to speed say 50 / 60mph and then accelerated and put the car under load you could hear the engine pinking. Mine was gone between 5 of the 6 cylinders. Just get it booked in and ask them to perform a leak down test. Good luck and keep us informed. __________________ Paul. Ooooft!!! 15yrs in the CSL and still loving it "shine on you crazy diamond"

27-07-2020, 09:07 AM	#6
Mike R S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,582 Casino cash: $17548	Definitely get it on track - it will come alive (compared to pottering around being restricted to speed limits) __________________ Mike R Sarcasm is just a free service I provide. Nordschleife, there's only two barriers to worry about - the ones on the left and the ones on the right . CSL number 044

05-05-2020, 05:31 PM	#3
Sarsonic Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Casino cash: $336	Thanks Mike, good point. There are no warning lights or no other signs at all. I'm concerned the dealership might miss it but if they can do checks for that type of fault, that's good to know. I've got it booked into Portsdale BMW for next week. Thanks for your response. I'll keep you posted as to what is found

26-07-2020, 06:59 PM	#5
Sarsonic Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Casino cash: $336	Hi all. Sorry for the delay. The car ended up being at Portslade BMW for a couple of months so only had it back a few weeks. The technicians couldn't replicate the fault and they couldn't therefore find a way to do a compression test under warranty. In the end I decided to play it safe and pay for the test myself, these were the results; Cylinder 1:9% -- Cylinder 2: 12% Cylinder 3:12% -- Cylinder 4:9% Cylinder 5:8% -- Cylinder 6:10% Found cylinder 3 and 4 slightly higher, but not indicative of a fault or failure. Driven the car a couple of times since having it back and to be fair to the garage, I can't now replicate the fault either! These test results don't mean much to me but Portslade said it doesn't show a fault as you can see. Now my AUC warranty has expired I've decided to extend the warranty anyway. Glad to have the car back, got the mirror housing replaced and repainted while it was there and had the MOT done. Just so you all know, it sounds like most the the Portslade staff you guys know and lov,e have now moved to Chandlers Hailsham. Got a few things I'd still like to do to the car; Tyres are 6 years old so considering replacing them with Cup2's and and potentially doing a trackday in it, (which might get me wanting to upgrade the brakes). At some point I need to re-lacquer the sill plates, replace the steering wheel trim and the shift paddles. It could also do with a nice professional detail and polish to get rid of some light scratches and etching. Had the car a year now and love it to bits, looking forward to many more years and miles with it. Sarsonic

26-11-2020, 12:05 PM	#7
cantfind1 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 675 Casino cash: $6490	2300 to 2400 rpm misfire can also be caused by vanos. I'd do a vanos test and also a vanos pressure test. Pressure should be around 1400 to 1600psi cold start.