quote:
Thus far I've done busses, trucks, cat pumps and one 25 ton kobelco. Zero issues thus far. It's not as complicated it people would like to make it out to be. Most of these exact same engines are running in other countries without he emissions. Removing them isnt going to implode your diesel engine.

BMW's aren't your typical beast. Comparatively, everything about them is complicated mechanically and electrically; expensive as well. These model require flashing the ECU with a new tune to run without the DEF system. Will it grenade the engine if you pull the system and run without a new tune? Maybe no, but what does happen with a diesel BMW is that it goes into the equivalent of limp mode until it detects the system and associated sensors or you get the new parts to delete it and get the ECU flashed.

I don't know of any global markets that sold this engine without a DEF system, I know that more recent global models don't require it. But then how much is buying an engine and shipping it from overseas or South America going to cost? Then you still have to deal with the problem of passing emissions in states that has them.

No easy outs with BMW's. They aren't made to behave like other manufacturers that almost invite you to defeat the EPA systems.

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Posted by Tr33fiddy

Hog Jaw, Arkansas (it exists)

Member since Aug 2023

1398 posts

Posted on 1/29/25 at 12:37 pm to RolltidePA

I'd try replacing sensors with diodes if it was my own bmw. Cheapest and most simple. Stock ecu thinks everything is fine. No ecu tune or removal necessary.

I did this with a kobelco excavator which believe it or not has an incredibly complicated electronics system. No more 5 gallon buckets of def.

Unless people are going to accept the government making reliable diesel engines throw away garbage there is always gonna be a work around.

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Posted by RolltidePA

North Carolina

Member since Dec 2010

4277 posts

Posted on 1/29/25 at 12:49 pm to Tr33fiddy

quote:
I'd try replacing sensors with diodes if it was my own bmw. Cheapest and most simple. Stock ecu thinks everything is fine. No ecu tune or removal necessary.

I did this with a kobelco excavator which believe it or not has an incredibly complicated electronics system. No more 5 gallon buckets of def.

Unless people are going to accept the government making reliable diesel engines throw away garbage there is always gonna be a work around.

BMW ECU recognizes diodes and initiates limp mode. They pull hard until about 2k RPM and then fall flat on their face. Don't ask me how, I am not well versed enough to figure that one out, I'm just familiar with the result.

The real issue here isn't the sensor. The OP, I believe said sensor, but the real culprit is the DPF, which is currently a $4,600 OEM part.

What I would do to keep things on the up and up is scour ebay or WL Parts for a replacement like here WL - BMW DPF parts

You can usually find one for around $1,000. Not cheap, but it'll get you down the road with a little less pain.

This post was edited on 1/29/25 at 12:50 pm

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Posted by Tr33fiddy

Hog Jaw, Arkansas (it exists)

Member since Aug 2023

1398 posts

Posted on 1/30/25 at 6:48 pm to RolltidePA

quote:
BMW ECU recognizes diodes and initiates limp mode. They pull hard until about 2k RPM and then fall flat on their face. Don't ask me how, I am not well versed enough to figure that one out, I'm just familiar with the result.

No shite. Damn. Thanks for the heads up. Now I'll know for future reference.

I'd imagine the ecu recognizes that the diode is a constant linear reading...where as the original sensor would vary.

I've been doing the diode trick since the 90s to remove nannies from friends rides.

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