Little vibrations and other questions from a new bimmer

[Steelhead]

I have a 2002 3.0 automatic with 86K. I don't know if I'm just freaking for nothing but I feel a little vibration in the steering and in the throttle pad and the steering looks a bit loose some time. I was suspecting something with my winter tires but I made the rotation and it's still there. I noticed that the vibration is not present when temperature is very cold (below 20F) Any idea of where it comes from ?

Also, I would like to know your experiences about tow capacity. It says that we can tow 5000 lbs...so just bought a boat weighting 4500 lbs. I hope I'll be OK ! )

[bobbyp]

Tires shouldn't be a cause of loose steering. Vibrations, yes. Have a mechanic check your front end suspension. You're getting up there in miles and bushings may be drying up from those Canadian winters.

[Steelhead]

In fact, it is the first winter for this X5 ! I bought it in Arkansas last July. Consequence of canadian winter: had to change valv cover gasket due to excess pressure a month ago because the original PCV valv freezed ( -25F that specific day !). The original valv was not insulated....

[bobbyp]

Ouch! What happened when it froze? Did oil blow through the gaskets?

Anyway, you say that the vibration isn't noticible in cold. Could still be bushings. The cold might be hardening them.

[Steelhead]

Fortunatly, I did not make a long ride with this high oil pressure. The oil start lightly to exit by the gasket but due to the fact that the gasket may have expend a bit, they decided to change it.

[X5 in AK]

Regarding the oil problem, search the forum for 'oil seperator'. The two hoses running over the top back of the intake manifold to the oil seperator disinigrate and the oil seperator plugs up, so those pieces need to be replaced. And the hoses should be insulated, as the intake manifold gets cold from all the winter air going thru it.

As for towing, the X5 with factory tow hitch is rated for 5000 or 6000 pounds, depending upon configuration. That's been talked about lots too.

Post some pics with your boat hooked up to the X5!

[Steelhead]

I know they changed the gasket and replaced the PCV valv and a couple of hoses. The new BMW valv is full insulated (BMW issued a service note about that potential problem on the valv and changed the design). Do you mean that my mechanic may have forgot to replace other parts ?

About towing with the 3.0 engine, my main concern is to know if the torque is high enough to work decently on hilly roads. Also, do I need to install a transmission fluid cooler ?