CCV Valve - Oil Separation Failure due to cold weather...anyone else?

[bman05]

So here is my story. I live in downstate NY and for the last several weeks we've been experiencing a cold snap (low 20's and teens) and two weeks ago my 2003 BMW X5 with 51,535 miles on it simply would not start. I thought it initially was an electrical issue, however upon changing the battery, pulling all fuses and checking all connections, I could not get my vehicle started.

I ended up getting the vehicle towed to BMW and received the diagnosis that the CCV valve "froze" in the open position and sucked oil into my engine, causing it to hydrolock. The estimate to repair this damage (drain engine of oil, replace hoses and plugs, etc) is $2,150 and there's no guarantee that there is no engine damage.

I called BMWNA and spoke to an extremely unhelpful and unpersonable rep there ( Nate Grimash at ext. 7744 ) and after a full week or so of playing phone tag (mostly me calling him), he informed me that BMWNA will not assist me in any way as my X5 is just over 1,000 miles out of warranty. I requested some "goodwill" assistance from BMWNA (a warranty labor rate as opposed to retail or some help with the parts) and was flatly refused. I was told "things like this happen". I have never been so disappointed in a car manufacturer before and will most likely sell this X5 after the repair and go to another brand.

While I understand the vehicle is out of warranty (by a little over 1 thousand miles) and the CCV valve failure is due partly to weather and partly to wear, there is a definite design flaw in this vehicle. Plain and simple. I've spoken with BMW techs who have seen dozens of these problems and it all could have been avoided for an inexpensive fix.

I am equally amazed that this vehicle is prone to this type of failure due to short trips in cold weather. There is a Technical Services Bulletin (TSB 11 08 03) that deals with a fix for this issue (heated vent lines), however I was never informed of this issue and I don't believe many owners were. Isn't a cold weather package SAV designed for cold weather use? Should I move South to avoid this issue? How many BMW's are there in cold weather climes that have experienced this problem? I bet they are in the thousands. Class action time.

I've spoken with several BMW techs in my area and there are a plethora of X5's that have been coming into local dealerships for this repair in recent weeks in the New York area. I've also done no small amount of research on this issue and have found that this problem is rampant in the X-5. How BMWNA can market a vehicle (SAV with the cold weather package!) in the NE that is prone to such a catastrophic failure due to, ostensibly, COLD WEATHER is beyond my comprehension. I was essentially informed that, in order to avoid this problem, I would have to drive the car for approximately 15-20 minutes each time. This is sheer lunacy. My vehicle had zero warning signs (regular oil changes, no warning puffs of smoke, no idling issues, no oil loss, etc) and simply siezed up on me.

There is some talk about litigation (class action) for this issue and I'd like to learn if anyone has pursued this. I work in NYC and handle litigation for a business and would love to see this pursued if meritorious. I have a hard time believing that such a well-engineered machine is prone to catastrophic failure due to, ostensibly, cold weather, repeated short trips and a valve.

My dealership is being conciliatory, however even a few bucks off will result in a $2k bill for me. I've been driving BMWs for years and realize that repairs (and sometimes expensive repairs) come hand in hand with BMW ownership, but the fact that a $50 valve failed due to a condition that BMW was WELL aware of and refused to address, resulting in a $2k bill to me, is unimagineable.

My faith in BMW is shaken. I did not even mention to BMWNA the gas pedal that broke 400 miles out of warranty that I paid for, the radio button that broke 600 miles out of warranty that I was quoted $450 to fix and the folding mirrors that failed 700 miles out of warranty that I haven't had the heart to get a quote on.

Class action suit? Perhaps. Feel free to share your oil separator/CCV valve horror story and if you were successful in getting BMWNA or your dealership to help.

Brendan