Another Oil Sperator Question....

[X5 Meister]

Man did this thread get confusing!

To sum up: SLX5 first posted a question, but has not posted since. I specifically asked him what car/year/engine he had so that I/we could give him the proper advice. Then Flatlander asked about the heated wrap fix, which is specific to the M62 4.4 engine (again, still no idea what SLX5 has). I put up a photo of that fix and the link to the thread that has the SIB posted. Then there was a bunch of ranting (some pretty good) about BMW's business model. Some more talk about engine design (some very good) and then someone else with an M54 3.0 liter engine asked about the fix specific for him. To which Twinspoppa posted the SIB from a previous thread. Keep in mind there are 3 basic X5 engines and all have different fixes for the same problem. Clear!? (anyone still reading this?) It would probably be worthwhile to post the SIB's on the main page. Anyone know who to ask to do it?

BTW Twinspoppa, you are missing one page of that SIB (there are 3 in my original post), please fix it or someone will be (even more) confused.

Yes replaced parts have the 2 year warranty, but you previously said you thought it should be a service item (like an oil filter) which is nothing more then wishful thinking!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by mgruber

BTW Twinspoppa, you are missing one page of that SIB (there are 3 in my original post), please fix it or someone will be (even more) confused.

Oops! Fixed ... you may return to the regular, or should I say irregular, programming.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by mgruber

Man did this thread get confusing!

To sum up: SLX5 first posted a question, but has not posted since. I specifically asked him what car/year/engine he had so that I/we could give him the proper advice. Then Flatlander asked about the heated wrap fix, which is specific to the M62 4.4 engine (again, still no idea what SLX5 has). I put up a photo of that fix and the link to the thread that has the SIB posted. Then there was a bunch of ranting (some pretty good) about BMW's business model. Some more talk about engine design (some very good) and then someone else with an M54 3.0 liter engine asked about the fix specific for him. To which Twinspoppa posted the SIB from a previous thread. Keep in mind there are 3 basic X5 engines and all have different fixes for the same problem. Clear!? (anyone still reading this?) It would probably be worthwhile to post the SIB's on the main page. Anyone know who to ask to do it?

BTW Twinspoppa, you are missing one page of that SIB (there are 3 in my original post), please fix it or someone will be (even more) confused.

Yes replaced parts have the 2 year warranty, but you previously said you thought it should be a service item (like an oil filter) which is nothing more then wishful thinking!

Thanks mgruber, primetime, JCL, amacman, x54.4_blue, lo_jack, and Twinspoppa for the interesting thread.

I should rephrase my earlier claim to say that the separator and hoses can indeed wear out over time. It is not a commonly known maintenance part. It also has this unfortunate cold weather failure mode, which can have serious repair consequences. When it fails, you need to stop the engine to avoid running it on too little oil and avoid locking up your engine.

I would suggest that anyone in cold climates do a routine check on the hoses and separator every fall. It's easy to check the hoses. It's not so easy to remove and inspect the separator. The dipstick tube and separator return tubes should also be inspected and cleaned as needed.

The next time I check it out, I'll be sure to post some pictures (M62 engine).

Thanks again and happy driving!

[primetime]

Originally Posted by flatlander

Thanks mgruber, primetime, JCL, amacman, x54.4_blue, lo_jack, and Twinspoppa for the interesting thread.

I should rephrase my earlier claim to say that the separator and hoses can indeed wear out over time. It is not a commonly known maintenance part. It also has this unfortunate cold weather failure mode, which can have serious repair consequences. When it fails, you need to stop the engine to avoid running it on too little oil and avoid locking up your engine.

I would suggest that anyone in cold climates do a routine check on the hoses and separator every fall. It's easy to check the hoses. It's not so easy to remove and inspect the separator. The dipstick tube and separator return tubes should also be inspected and cleaned as needed.

The next time I check it out, I'll be sure to post some pictures (M62 engine).

Thanks again and happy driving!

...

[X5 Meister]

Agreed. It IS unfortunate that such a problem exists and apparently the final fix didn't get implemented for a while, a LONG while. Even the E70 X5 had the problem up until 10/2006 and it wasn't until 11/2006 when the new cylinder head cover was finally implemented in the production run! In the end this issue has affected 3 series, 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, X5's, etc........

[daway]

Originally Posted by SLX5

I just went to the stealer and picked up an Oil Separator for $90. i asked the guy if this is the insulated kind so this damn thing wouldn't happen to me again and he didn't know (the temp was 9°F and the windchill was -15°F last night, oil spewed out from the top side, people here suggested it was the valve gasket and separator)

Do you guys know if BMW redesigned this part so crap like this wouldn't happen? if its is the same separator i have in the X5, i am thinking about leaving it? Any thoughts recommendations?

That happened to us a week before x-mas! I got the SEL and then my wife was driving and smelt the something from the engine. I brought it to the dealer were i bought it used and they gave me a call and told me it was the sper./valve gasket and etc. Then they said that BMW would cover it and i would only have to pay $100 for the upgraded kit w/ re-loction of the dip stick and etc (would have costed 1,000 plus) also i had to pay for the unv oxygen sensor (can not remember the name). I told them that my RH front window reg was out and i was going to replace it in the spring, the tech did not get the info and did a full inspection of the 01 X5 and then could not get the window up so they paid more then 1/2 of the cost for the window reg...sweet deal.

Also the upgraded kit will be better but the tech and parts dept. workers told me that they have seen some come back w/ the same info time to time. Atleast at the dealer covers the part for 2 years!! It's due to the small trips during the really cold winters and also the oil sper. can go out if you do not change your oil on time (clogging)....

worth a try to see if BMW NA will pick up your tap. The dealer here is great and they give out 10% off on labor to CCA member plus parts off too!

[diyanich]

true

Originally Posted by JCL

I am continually amazed at the people who change their oil every 3000 miles, because they believe it will reduce piston wear at 200,000 miles. Can you imagine what it is going to be like maintaining the electronics on an E70 in eight years? The mind boggles. Many of those vehicles will be parked, and not because the engines are worn out.

/rant off