After having the Crankcase breather/oil separator problem all last winter, I decided to be proactive this year. To start back in October I changed the oil to Mobil 0w40, as suggested here on the forum. No dice. Here in MN, we dipped down in the single digits a couple of weeks ago, and sure enough, smoke blowing everywhere. After reading up on the problem here on the forums (thanks guys) I called both Motowerks BMW and Sears Imports here in the Twin Cities seeing if they knew anything about BMW picking up the tab on this fix. Both said they had and they look at the problem on a case by case basis. I usually hit up Motowerks, however they wanted $120 just to take a look, but Sears offered me a free rental and to take a look for free, so obvs I had to give them a try. Yada, yada, yada, even though my X is a 2001 with no extended warranty, they were able to pay for all but $180 out of "BMW good will." The $180 was a $100 deductible and $80 for an oil change. They also wouldn’t cover towing, but that wasn’t an issue for me. They originally had quoted me $580, with oil change, for parts and labor.

Per receipt, the following procedures were performed:

"Crankcase vent valve froze and caused the valve cover to leak oil all over manifold. Replaced the crankcase vent valve with new updated insulated hoses. Installed new hose and air distribution rail on top of manifold. Hose insulation was falling off and full of gunk. Replaced dipstick tube with new updated style. Replace the entire valve cover and gasket. Cleared the fault memory using the GT1. Remove both shields under the car and degrease the entire compartment and shields."

So that’s the good part. The bad...I go pick up my baby, and there is a woman in with my exact car with the same problem. Start chatting with her and the tech, apparently she had this problem fixed 3 times last year (hers is a CPO). We get to talking and the tech relates that really the only fix is to take longer trips, that it’s a bad design, and that I will be likely back for another fix at some point. BOOO THAT! (He did say that BMW will likely keep footing the bill to get it fixed!)

O well, I still love my X. Just have to tough it through the next couple of months.

Big shout out to Bill @ Sears Imports!