2004 X3 manual-xmission w/problems

[mhouck]

Originally Posted by JCL

Just a comment that the dealer may not be comfortable doing the job. Any shop you trust that has a hoist and a licensed mechanic will be able to do it without getting any air in the system (which would require bleeding the clutch, thus taking a little more time).

Jeff

Just read up a bit more and sure looks like you nailed the culprit. I'll see if I can track down a good BMW mechanic in Calgary aside from the dealer.

Murray

[dj_2latino]

I apologize to everyone for not posting this as soon as the problem was fixed. I hope not too many of you were still wondering what ever came about from this problem....
As it turns out, a simple wheel alignment fixed the whole thing!

After replacing the CDV valve with a "drilled" one, the problem persisted unchanged. Couple of weeks later, I had noticed that my tires were beginning to wear unevenly so i took it to a mechanic that has a BMW machine with updated software for X3 wheel alignments. I told him about the problems mentioned and told him to test drive it after he aligned it and tell me what he thought.
After the wheel alignment he could not reproduce the problems I mentioned. (typical huh). So we went again together with me driving.
Miraculously, the problems were all gone.
He and I both concluded that the wheel alignment was in such a dire need on the rear left that the X-drive kept kicking on irregularly and the system would compensate for the shift in suspension/front differential.
(I never got a "4x4" light to come on or I would have figured that out).
It just so happens that a few months earlier, I had hit a curb pretty hard when slipping on ice making a right turn. It needed a new rim after that (rear left wheel) but I didn't think then that a wheel alignment was needed as well.

moral of the story: Slow down on winter turns; That was quite a costly ice slide!! And if a slight collision is bad enough to crack a rim, GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT!! lol

[motordavid]

Good to read you got the problem solved...as I posted way back when,
I would have been quite surprised to read it really was a manual trans problem.
GL, mD

[mhouck]

Originally Posted by JCL

This sounds a lot more like the CDV, or clutch delay valve. Not sure if you have had experience with this component before, but essentially it screws up your sense of timing between when you expect the clutch to engage, and when it actually does engage. It restricts the fluid flow back to the master cylinder on clutch release, to a certain flow rate. It has no restriction on clutch depression, as it is a one-way restrictor. The dealer is used to how it drives. If it is a new vehicle to you, and particularly on the 1-2 shift, you may be surprised at how it is sometimes a clunky shift, and other times it is fine. If you let the clutch out at the same rate as the restrictor flows fluid, then it is fine, it is when you go faster that it comes into play. It was intended to reduce driveline shocks, but I am of the opinion that the driver should be in full control, not just partial control.

Go to www.zeckhausenracing.com, select BMW and X3, and read about the CDV there. Read the link that explains the theory of the CDV as well. Dave Z will ship you a modified CDV that is very likely to solve your problem. Alternatively, you can just remove it, but that is apparent to the dealer. I have done the CDV mod on several BMW vehicles, with good success.

If you are comfortable working on your own vehicle, it is a straightforward 15 minute job. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, take it to an independent mechanic with the part from Zeckhausen, and they will be able to do it very easily (print out the instructions from Zeckhausen so they know what you want done).

CDV Ordered and on its way...

[cbontje]

Originally Posted by mhouck

CDV Ordered and on its way...

Since I see that you're in Calgary, I would highly recommend Vitek's AutoWorks for a good BMW indy shop to work on your ride. They are located just off Edmonton Trail and have always done excellent work for me and my X5, at a reasonable price.

Call 403-452-0200, Aaron is usually the guy I deal with

Cheers, Chris