Thanks for nothing BMW NA ( Blue smoke/Oil loss/Oil separator )

[nrgetic99]

Back ground : 2003 X5 4.4i with 100,000 CPO

My 2003 4.4i falls right in the middle of the production window for the well documented concerns with extreme temps leading to condensation in the oil separator hoses which can , in some cases,lead to excessive crankcase pressure, allow water and oil into the intake manifold and ultimately drain back into the cylinder and lead to hydro lock and engine failure.

To add to the fun, I work part time at a ski resort in the mountains on WV where ambient temps regularly sink into single digits and below (-13* at 9 am a few weeks ago) and my vehicle sits and cold soaks from Friday night until Sunday afternoon most weekends in ski season.

10 days ago after a nasty cold snap, I went to start the car and it missed a little on start up, the idle was rough and a little noisy and it seemed to me, that I was getting a little More smoke than I should. I let it idle for 10 mins while I cleaned 3" of snow off it and when i drove it, the engine was fairly warm and ran fine although I drove gingerly to start.

I talked with my stealer this week and he confirmed that while my prod date fell right in the window , he could not complete the service bulletin work as the symptoms were not present at time of inspection.

He suggested I call BMW NA , which i did, and in summary, they are happier to buy me a new engine when it fails than pay now for the heated wrap that goes on the hoses.... in other words, they do not believe in "..an ounce of prevention..."

I do understand their position to some extent but I did not feel happy that they were happier that I get stranded in the mountains , 250 miles from home and have the vehicle towed back to the dealer and get a new engine rather than work with me to potentially prevent that problem ever happening. I did have the rep document my concerns and my dissatisfaction for all that is worth.

I am now looking into getting the heated wrap kit myself and having it fitted. I have SB SI B11 01 04 in hand. Parts kit is # 11 81 390 846

I was thinking this is a wise investment given the history and my prod date (5/03) although I just got a price quote of $522.68 for the parts kit. :eek:

What say the learned folk of X5world ???

David