Quote:
Originally Posted by Hbones11
Wanted to add my story to the list of P203A/P205B CEL issues and add my thoughts.
Bought my 2010 X5 diesel in August 2013, ~58k miles. Started pulling a P2621 code (Throttle Position Output Circuit Low) around June 2014, ~75k miles. Did some research on the code and kept resetting it while driving around with the code until late August. I live in the DC metro area and finally decided to take the car back my uncle's garage in Northeast PA to get his opinion. He immediately told me to look at the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve.
The EGR valve is tedious to remove but after about an hour or so I was able to remove it only to find something similar to the valve in this YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQx_...ature=youtu.be
That EGR cleaning was done on a different engine (X3 2.0d with a different CEL code) but the valve is pretty much the same as the 3.5d.
I cleaned my valve, reinstalled, and cleared the codes. The car drove for only a few hundred miles until the P2621 code came back.
My uncle suggested I take my X5 to another garage in Northeast PA that specializes in European cars. I told tech about the code and the EGR valve cleaning. He said he would run some tests to check if the EGR valve was functioning properly. Come to find out the valve was toast at ~81k miles.
The EGR valve helps your car more efficiently and completely burn fuel by recirculating a portion of your exhaust and running it through the combustion process again. Since my valve was toast, that made sense to me because I started seeing white DEF residue on/around my tailpipes once the P2621 code started showing up (an issue I've read about on multiple diesel blogs). |
UN-EFFING-BELIEVABLE!! Here is what code my X5 threw on 11/26/14:
After some Googling, I figured the problem was the EGR/throttle valve based on the error code and symptoms (shudder on shutdown.) Ordered the part from GetBMWparts.com for $375 and went about installing it. Part # 11-71-7-804-384, plus the o-ring #13-54-7-792-098.
The old valve looked like this:
While the valve is a fairly exposed position, getting to the three mounting screws was a bitch. I had to use my 1/4" drive socket with the ball-end of the proper sized Allen wrench that I cut to fit. There was a small support bracket that I could not get back on due to misalignment issues with the screws. It was causing enough deflection that the screw would start to cross-thread. Steel screw into aluminum housing with misalignment = bad juju.
That was at 70,500 miles. I called an independent shop for a quote, and they thought it might actually be covered under an extended "secret" warranty. If not, then the part would be $550 and about 1.5 hours to install ($110/hr shop rate.) When I said I could get the part online for $375, they said that was better than their cost because they have to source parts from the dealer. That was $800 out the door.
I called my current go-to dealer, BMW Seattle, and asked about extended warranties on the part. They didn't show anything based on my VIN, so I said "screw it" and did the work myself. I could have likely taken it in and argued that I was just past the 70,000 miles for the CA Emissions Warranty and gotten it covered, but I was tired from the ordeal with DEF tanks.
Honestly, I blame the government and their "emissions" laws. What engineer would honestly CHOOSE to recirculate dirty, nasty exhaust gas back INTO the intake? Or put on a complex Urea injection system to reduce emissions, but hamper reliability in the long term. I expect the diesel block itself to last damn near forever, it's the government mandated shit-systems that are causing the problem.
And since the lift struts went out in October, to the tune of $1,400 at the Indy Shop, I'm really FED UP with this SAV. I'm all set to dump the thing and just start leasing, but for some reason the wife (it's her car after all) seems content currently. The next time the damn CEL comes on, I might just run the thing into a wall at 60 MPH.....
I'm kidding about that, but I personally am shopping lease deals. Hell, I'd even take another X5, but I'm learning my lesson about owning these "high tech" cars out of warranty. Sadly, I don't think that is limited to just BMW. Even my Toyota Tacoma with "legendary" reliability isn't exactly the model it once was.......
