I CAN’T TUNE MY BMW E82 135I AND HERE’S WHY…

[@Chris_Slix]

Thanks for watching! If you can help me fix this it would be hugely appreciated. Does it not seem a bit of a minor vac leak to stop all boost all together??

[@stephennelson624]

Go in the car and press the brake pedal, I would imagine if the booster is bad press the pedal and it the booster is bad it will slowly go to the floor,

[@LiquidChild99]

The vacuum lines that run behind the oil filter on my 135 split and caused low boost and 30FF codes, the brake booster runs straight off of the vacuum pump.

[@jokerash]

Of course it's causing problems, brake booster shares the vacuum from the vacuum pump to help the brake. As you may know, natural vacuum only exists on aspirated engines, turbo engines have a vacuum pump to provide vacuum to the system, which is shared between the brake booster and turbo actuators. Replace the brake booster drum and you're ready to go.

[@Chris_Slix]

Sounds like an ideal fix to me, hopefully it works!

[@jokerash]

@@Chris_Slix Or, as a temporary fix, cover the vacuum hole where the brake booster pipe connects to, you will not have a soft brake pedal but at least you can test the dyno.

[@AdznEVOIII]

If it was me I would block off the port on the manifold and see if it changes. I can't see the wastegates being plumbed from the brake booster.

[@user-ex4nh7qi8u]

At BMW we have a recall for the brake vacuum sensor on these models e8*-e9* and its usually on the turbo petrol engines, I do know that in some instances if the brake booster has a vacuum leak, that it can cause a issue that has anything to do with a vacuum line. A simple way to check if your brake booster system works is by firstly having the engine off, pump the brake pedal as hard as you can until it should go firm(should take 3 pumps or so), then holding your foot down hard on the brake and starting the engine. If the brake pedal starts to sink to the floor then you know the brake booster sucks and holds vacuum as it uses atmospheric pressure and vacuum to assist with the brake pedal force. This way you know the brake booster has no vacuum leaks. If it stays hard then there is no vacuum being provided to the brake booster and therefore could have a leak before that or could be a faulty brake booster. any questions lemme kno

[@GCMYT]

Interesting watch, looking forward to seeing how much power the 135i makes. I've had plenty of fun in an 08 plate one with a good tune and standard turbos and needless to say it was savage. Good luck with sorting out this problem. Looking forward to the next video. :D

[@J_S591]

Hi Chris. On my old 135i N54 I had this, with no codes generated. It came soon after I installed an ETS intercooler so I traced back my work and found that an intercooler pipe had popped off slightly. Refitted and it cured it. I used to be very into N54 tuning and other causes of vacuum leaks were often the vacuum pump itself, the nipples in it snapping or the pipes that run to it. This model BMW and probably all newer ones use a lot of plastic and perishable materials for pipes, and this engine runs hot. Try a smoke test from the canister lines. Of course you know about the inherent wastegate issue with this engine but, with new turbos it shouldn’t be affecting you. Still, if you’ve been over the whole vacuum system and still can’t find it, check there. If you were local, I’d help you rip it apart, it’s like second nature to me after owning one 😂 Edit: Ok, I’ve just gone back to some old info I ranted about and I believe that the vacuum system for the canisters also runs the brake booster, boost solenoids and also the rear exhaust flat for the OE exhaust. So check all of that, even whatever you plugged the old vacuum line with at the rear exhaust silencer (I used a golf tee). The vacuum for the recirc valves, actuators etc is on engine vacuum.

[@kevb9700]

I've had my 335 n54 for 9 years and run into this problem. It won't be a pin hole, you'll probably be able to get 3 or 4 fingers in it, these cars brake surprisingly well without the brake boost cylinder and you may not know the diaphragm has failed till you really need it 😉. So get it replaced regardless. Also, that smoke test is putting positive pressure on the brake booster, it's possible it will leak more under negative but its certainly letting by. This issue didn't through any fault codes for me, but I did see a performance improvement once resolved. Oh, and it's a PITA to replace, but I somehow managed without removing any brake lines.

[@boastyy]

Yes that's the problem, bit of a pain getting it out but at least the smoke tester found it. I had a cracked hose going to the brake servo on my Audi TT and that gave me no boost, once it was fixed it was running perfectly. That was only a small leak but your leak is much worse. Have not seen corrosion on the servo on such a new car, that's bad quality control mate like it was not painted correctly. Your brakes should be a lot better once the servo is replaced as no way the servo was working properly with that leak so its not worth just blanking off the pipe. Good luck mate.

[@kertmac]

I had a seal go on the volvo. If you listen for any hissing after you release the brake pedal, it may point to needing a new brake booster or seal at the least. Take a look at volvo post as this is a common problem on them.

[@br4d101]

Right, brake booster needs replacing, obviously! ECU will be locked due to probably having MHD installed and stage 1 mapped which locks ecu from tuning and you have to have MHD flashing licences, it’s a good system that I’ve used on my 335i, if you’ve got standard inlets and outlets don’t go over 20psi as you’ll blow the rear turbo up within 500miles! Change your diverter valves as they will leak to! Good luck!

[@aimized1460]

great video awesome content man the part where he goes " that aint going anywhere mate" had me dead awesome work lads

[@twigwonderkid]

That’s the pipe that connects to your brake servo. The break servo uses vacuum assist to provide better braking. So you should be finding your brakes are dodgy. It looks like your brake servo is rusted and you should replace this ! I’m not a car guru, just old and worked on cars, but it’s a pretty standard thing, and surprised you and Matt didn’t know. Don’t think you have a choice but replace this, should be cheap as been a standard fitting on cars since 1970’s But loving the videos as it’s the kinda tinkering me and my mates did back in the day, so great to watch and laugh without the missing skin off my knuckles and black hands from oil and dirt

[@JasonLloyd-zz9if]

Coming from a 50 year old macanic this used to be a problem back in the day on old school carb'ed and injection cars ..if the servo or its pipe was leaking it used to make the mixture run lean as it runs off the intake manifold ..just balnk it an see if its ok

[@Squatch2530]

☝️ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ sʜᴏʀᴛʟɪsᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀs ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🤗♥️

[@seanblee]

On N54, the wastegates are normally open. The ECU uses vacuum (via the two pressure converters on the drivers side of the engine) to pull the wastegates closed when boost is required. (This means it fails safe if the vacuum supply is disrupted.) The ECU doesn't directly monitor vacuum pressure so doesn't throw a code if there's no vacuum present. It'll eventually throw an underboost code, but that doesn't happen immediately. Plug the vac line to the brake servo and see if boost control comes back.

[@lewiskennedy5152]

Didn’t want this one to end! Looking forward to see how this goes !

[@reeseysosa]

Such a great series! I wonder if I can change my e88 convertible to a Hard top.. e88 to e82? Thoughts 🤔 haven’t been able to find anything .

[@ThePetersTravelshow]

Cmon Mat! You have stripped a Lambo Engine . Removing a Brake Master Cylinder and what ever else is suerly child’s play 😂😂 Nice to see you all helping each other out regardless

[@agispapadopoulos6737]

There should not be positive pressure (ie boost) in the hose leading to a brake booster. That hose should be under negative pressure (vacuum) up to zero (atmospheric pressure). Since you have a turbo'd engine there should be a non-return valve preventing boost ending in that hose. Check that non-return valve. Further, if that non-return valve was broken previously, then the brake booster may have been damaged due to been stressed with pressure it cannot tolerate. Hence it may now be leaking air. all the best mate, really enjoy your vids, especially the TTS ones:) ps. how's your brakes performing, get it checked as brakes may be underperforming in that situation

[@alexblackham9674]

Just use MHD to map the car, they support custom maps and the XDFs are open source. It's likely that's what they used to map the car before as it locks out the ECU.

[@SIMONHOLFORD]

You will have a solenoid that opens and closes the waste gate on the turbos to switch the boost on and off. When the waste gate is open you have no boost as the boost from the turbo is sent straight to the exhaust. To close the wastegate so that boost from the turbo is routed to the air intake you need the solenoid to operate ( electrical I.e. controlled by ecu or boost controller) and the solenoid requires vacuum to then operate the turbo actuator which closes the waste gate. I'm not familiar with your engine but I'd take an educated guess it's getting vacuum from the brake system. In which case the solenoid is likely near to it. In fact it will also usually be near the firewall for its electrical connection from the ecu/ boost controller. So it's possible your solenoid is behind the brake booster and it's leaking. It's possible it's just popped the vacuum pipe off the solenoid.

[@Paul-cf9op]

In the vac test kit you should have blank tips/caps ? If they are big enough block can you not block the brake servo pipe and try again ? I cannot see why a brake booster pipe would give you no turbo boost. Thats what I would try to rule it out, hopefully someone that knows what they are talking about will help you out 😂. Good luck mate hope you sort it.

[@omgitsZAN4]

Nice to see the Snap-on smoke tester being used 👍

[@omgitsZAN4]

@Chrisslix5 nice 👌 message sent on telegram

[@marlonsmoothz587]

Brake servos are vacuum operated, a vacuum leak from there can cause bad engine breathing and in some cases limp mode, I would replace the servo and gaskets and try again. Also brake master cylinders are vacuum operated, for piece of mind I would go through everything that is under engine vacuum because you’re running more boost than normal so a small leak can make great boost defects

[@dominicwebb8000]

Block the vacuum pipe to the brake servo and see if boost is restored. That way you can isolate the fault.

[@dannewman3306]

It’s definitely that leak. Had it on my TT spluttering and running horrible and it was a split in brake booster vacuum pipe

[@335iGuy]

I had the same ecu issue with my first n54 I bought it already tuned but with the jb4 removed. When I tried to hook any scanner up to it, it would say tuning protection and lock me out. I ended up just buying mhd and flashing over whatever was there and it worked fine. Definitely a weird car.

[@dannyauto5901]

I feel your pain Chris, just keep going lad💪👌🤟🤘😁❤️

[@SAVING_ICONIC_MACHINES]

Good video as always bro 😎 good luck with the fix

[@tpberesford]

Dunno if you did it on purpose but you seemed to be talking slower in the voiceovers in this video, it was much easier to follow and listen to 👍

[@Nath_n54]

Sorry to hear your having so many problems, n54 and it’s problems seem endless when they all pop up , what is the screen you have in the car? And where did you buy it from Thanks Good video !

[@fueltheforce]

Loved the video! Subscribed!

[@chrisjones2237]

Brake master cylinders are hard to compress which is why cars use power assisted brakes through vacuum and the brake booster/servo. The vacuum systems are all connected so a fault in the booster would affect other parts. New booster/servo

[@mpglass8560]

Hi Chris you could push some vacuum bag sealant tape into the corroded area to seal it. May give you a temp fix?

[@olliejenson2734]

Chris what's happed to the 135i ?? update please

[@Neil_phoenix]

Are your brakes not hard though? Switch the car off pump your pedal so your brakes go solid. Leave your foot on the pedal hard and then start the car you foot should sink slowly this will test the brake booster. So even so it needs replacing as don't want to be on full send and no brakes. Good luck. Love the channel mate.

[@Chris_Slix]

They feel as I remember them being strangely enough, but I have not drove the car for over a month so I'm not 100%

[@Neil_phoenix]

Keep up the good work mate.

[@CarChris82]

brake vac line gets vacuum from inlet manifold so it definitely wont be helping mate as you don't want a vac leak on the inlet manifold

[@Chris_Slix]

Yeah definitely not ideal, do you think a leak that size is enough to cause zero boost though?

[@CarChris82]

@@Chris_Slix its not going to help mate as a vac leak is going to make the car run lean and maybe the ecu is detecting this and putting the car into limp mode hence no boost. Have you checked the diverter valve for any leaks or codes ?as that would stop boost

[@kenrossaukrsa]

Change that plastic boost / vacuum tank distributor , they are the bane of every bmw turbo petrol or diesel , I think there’s people that make allu ones out there. Also , the vacuum hoses must be connected correctly to the little tank

[@ethnicsixdox9083]

Check boost solenoids, they can be faulty and holding your waste gates open.

[@bobbyknox9258]

Yeah thats ready for the scrap heap Chris. I'll come and take if off your hands, no charge 😁. They share the same vacuum mate.

[@Squatch2530]

☝️ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ sʜᴏʀᴛʟɪsᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀs ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🤗♥️

[@fauveoctober5431]

Hi Chris, You need to tell us what you did to get the ECU working in case anyone else has the same issue?

[@Chris_Slix]

I couldn't really tell you myself but it involved a lot of equipment and tools I have no idea how to use!

[@ChrisWijtmans]

probably hooked up an EEPROM flasher to the board and flashed it.

[@JamesPoorethe1]

Came allll the way down to this comment for this info, just say in the video!

[@Simb-l]

Just plug the connection to to the brake booster so vacuum is restored. Tune the car as the actuators will start working. The fix the brake booster afterward.

[@Chris_Slix]

I think this is a great logical starting point, thank you!

[@matthewbonner645]

All seriousness though a turbo engine relies on an air tight vacuum system. Your actuators obviously need a vacuum to operate as does that brake booster. They don’t all run on an independent vacuum supply the car provides all vacuum operated systems as one. If that’s a hole in your booster I’d say your losing vacuum through your brake booster (if that’s the crack) but if that is the case I’d say 99.9% that’s your issue

[@jasonreynolds1347]

Love your videos. How come the fitter is hiding him self? 🤔😂

[@MrLawrence832]

The vacuum leak from the booster will be a separate issue, you likely have a dead solenoid or vacuum lines to the turbo are split. Get a MHD obd reader and have a look at real time boost. If it’s on 0 psi there’s a vacuum issue. N54 turbos make no boost without this vacuum to avoid waste gate pressure blowing a hole in the block should the system fail.

[@neiljemmerson8826]

Good video hope that sorts it, we could all do with a matt armstrong in the toolbox ha

[@neiljemmerson8826]

@Chrisslix5 has anybody ever actually fell for your 💩little scam?

[@x58evo2puma7]

Hi when the next video going to be for tuning the bmw as it been three months now

[@Chris_Slix]

Soon, when i get time! Im going to do one big finalé video for it

[@x58evo2puma7]

@@Chris_Slix that’s good can’t wait

[@peterjaiuk]

Can u make next video and finish the bmw pls and can u buy the Audi rs6 2015

[@matthewbonner645]

Feels like it’s been a while Mr Slix. I hope it’s because you’ve been busy buying the UK’s cheapest RS6🤞🤣. That colour still looks sick as fuck though man🤌👌🏻

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Hope you get it fixed 🚘🚙🚗👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Chris_Slix]

I hope so too

[@markwarner5734]

Yes it can cause the issue as it is part of the overall vacuum of the car so any leak would cause boost issues

[@chrisyneill5466]

It's connected to the vacum pump and one hole gives all sort of problem yes this can cause the problem as there is a leak in the vacum, is the brake pedal feeling OK?

[@Chris_Slix]

Brake pedal feels as normal as I remember it being but I couldn't be 100% as I haven't drove the car for a long time!

[@mister6003]

I don't no if this is any help but years ago on a vehicle I had I kept on getting a hissing sound around the brake pedal everytime I pressed the brake pedal. Which was leaking air/vacuum from the rubber seal round the push rod going into the brake servo were seal had dried out ,just put some grease on the push rod,then change servo ,try pressing the brake pedal and see if have smoke coming into the cabin and see if effects vacuum pressure .

[@user-ex4nh7qi8u]

Check pressure converters and wastegate vacuum lines.

[@kamilozw86]

Just above exhaust manifold u will have boost solenoids ecu sends signal to them and they open so vacuum is going to wastegate actuator and close Westgate.

[@dsc2160]

I doubt it's the boost solenoids. These normally pop up 30fe or 30ff code . If the dme is msd80. I'm presuming the logs shows no boost it not meeting target? No boost I would tend to check vacuum pump and brake booster . Not meeting boost target call for a while another checklist . Nice content Chris. Keep it up. P s . Stop taking up Matts time he got his own content we waiting for 😃

[@jayi4473]

Use MHD Flasher. Forget about bench flashing.

[@jonathansmith2407]

Brake booster is a vacuum assistant, if you try applying the brakes with the engine off the pedal is solid, the vacuum assist makes the pedal soft, I know you're not a tech but learn the basics

[@tuningemporium]

Did you use bmw software to flash it back to standard? Also are those air filters just sucking in hot air 🤔🤔🤔

[@samanstee1754]

Brake booster needs replacing, once u remove scuttle panel, brake fluid bottle & cables there will be bit more room dude!! I'm thinking king 470hp maybe not sure!!! 😎😛

[@Squatch2530]

☝️ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ sʜᴏʀᴛʟɪsᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀs ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🤗♥️

[@kamilozw86]

Westgate is controlled by vacuum. This is bmw safety function. If u not have vacuum control Westgate is stuck open

[@mrsinghsgarage]

I'd say it's possible, but unlikely - it's only a small pipe, and you'd usually need a huge air leak to cause an issue. Possible because vacuum and boost are directly linked, but as someone else has said, you can just cap off the manifold port where the pipe connects - effectively removing the leak. I'd get a silicone end cap and plug that port on the manifold, then go again. You can also just check vacuum in live data, should be around -20-25Hg. Good to see the car making an appearance again!

[@Chris_Slix]

I like this idea, I will definitely give it a go. Im sort of on your side, it doesn't look a big enough leak to loose all vacuum and boost completely.

[@ethandj123456789]

the fact a garage known to tune 1.8ts years ago doesn't know how a vacuum leak can cause no code with barely any other power is rather alarming.

[@brun_s]

There’s a reason why it was the cheaper in the country Chris 😅.. in all seriousness hope you find the issue and continue with the great content on this car 🚗

[@Chris_Slix]

Yeah i think your right sometimes worth the gamble 🤣

[@brun_s]

@@Chris_Slix love a cheeky gamble. It’ll pay off for you mate I’m sure.. you’re a determined person

[@danielmannix1849]

If the brake booster/servo is leaking I would expect brake pedal to be very stiff to press as got no servo assistance. What's the brake pedal like with the car running??

[@Chris_Slix]

Seems absolutely fine!

[@yhshah21]

Bro as soon as you said no boost and no codes…straight away smoke tester time comes to mind! Most cars use a vacuum actuator via a vacuum line to control boost pressure..some turbos have an electric controlled actuator sitting on the turbo and not a vacuum line.

[@jokerash]

N54 turbo actuators are vacuum controller, not boost controlled like most turbo engines, hence the issues here.

[@adametherington7592]

I have a spare booster/master from a 335i n54 if you want one?

[@Chris_Slix]

Is it good condition? 😅

[@adametherington7592]

@@Chris_Slix yeah, I only took it off when I swapped to m3 master.

[@Chris_Slix]

@@adametherington7592 that'd be much appreciated man, pop me a message on insta

[@adametherington7592]

@@Chris_Slix messaged

[@Dolmizzle]

Don't get it tuned by a UK tuner... please! The car most likely has an MHD tune on it. Please buy MHD and get a remote custom tune from a US tuner. And you should join the N54 WhatsApp group... super helpful guys in there, including the guy who makes all the MHD e series maps

[@scottrichmond3593]

was that seal for the intercooler or the chargepipe. just curious as the metal charge pipe i bought didnt come with the seal. but the original pipe did have a seal. thanks

[@Chris_Slix]

Thats for the charge pipe, mine was the same luckily i didnt throw away the old one and was able to reuse the one out the original pipe.

[@scottrichmond3593]

@@Chris_Slix thanks,still got my old one luckilly.was wondering why i was getting oil vapour on the throttle body. hope u get the car sorted. will be nice to see what numbers u get out the turbos with stock fuelling

[@peterjaiuk]

Rs6 avant 2015 ok?

[@f3lix3]

go chris

[@Squatch2530]

☝️ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ sʜᴏʀᴛʟɪsᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀs ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🤗♥️

[@ashedkins]

For tuning just blank it at the inlet manifold. Just don't drive it like that after having all the extra horses released 😂

[@Chris_Slix]

I think im going to try this to see if it boosts again! We will see 😅

[@martingranger4735]

Doing engine work in a Canada goose coat😩😩

[@andyhardy322]

Ring bmw specialist 8n hinckley speck to Paul

[@MumblesEDL]

Use MHD tuning

[@davidthompson1853]

Its a BMW so I would suggest just scrapping it :)

[@yowhatupmain]

Be about 500 horse

[@robpegs]

You can't park there

[@thewalrus1968]

maybe learn how to focus your camera

[@martinwilson2527]

Cars a write off, sell as scrap 🤣🤣🤣

[@Chris_Slix]

Its not worth anything scrap, its 50% fibreglass 🤣

[@martinwilson2527]

Good point! 😂

[@benturner7932]

My vac pump once went in an audi a4 I lost all boost and brakes went rock solid

[@Squatch2530]

☝️ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ sʜᴏʀᴛʟɪsᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀs ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🤗♥️