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

[msammy]

Guys, guys, guys, OK, calm down now... Maybe it's time for an X5 beer summit at a neutral place? Heck, I'll even spring for some snacks!

[JohnD]

Can't we all just get along. I don't think there is anyone on this board who hasn't thought of a class action lawsuit when their transmission went at 60K, the oil seperator at 40K, or the valve cover gaskets at 50K. After dumping 10K into my X5 over the past year, the thought about lighting the thing on fire and toasting marshmellows - but once the car is fixed, and I take it for a ride I remember why I bought it, and why I keep coming back to this board for support.

[bman05]

Thanks for the note of reason, msammy and others, and you are all correct...let's get this thread back on track.

For the record, I apologize for taking up the forum members' time with this diatribe with Meister...hopefully you've found it as entertaining as I have. I thank those that have added something valuable to the discussion and have commiserated with me, and I hope others gain some valuable information as well. I do get rankled, however, when someone goes off the cuff and casts aspersions on my situation when they're not the one facing a 2K bill and a dead vehicle. Someone with as much technical information on BMWs could have helped instead of dropping a big, stinking turd on this thread.

Hopefully some other X5 owners can pick up something valuable from this thread...it is a fairly common problem and it can be an expensive fix for us owners. Anything that helps us is worth while!

It is amazing how BMWNA is selective in providing assistance amongst X5 owners with this issue.

[msammy]

You're welcome bman05! And by the way, !!!

Speaking of beer summits, Michelle and the gang have arranged the 5th annual meet in early June this year in Stamford, CT - not far from NY. Here's a link with the details:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...amford-ct.html

Maybe you can stop by and meet some of the xoutpost.com members and experts in repairs, mods and maintenance of our X5's. I haven't been able to attend in the past nor can I make it this year (and I only live 62 miles away ), but based on some of the follow-up posts and photos I've seen, it sounds like it's a really good time! Again, welcome to the forum and post on!!!

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by bman05

It is amazing how BMWNA is selective in providing assistance amongst X5 owners with this issue.

The BMW dealer is the key in this equation. I think it depends on how hard they push for you.

Seriously though, how would you differentiate this issue with say a water/fuel pump or transmission failure? All of these can happen while the vehicle is in motion and all could technically be safety issues. How is it any more of a safety issue than those items which happen everyday?

Back to your orignial post, being so close to your original warranty, I would think your service advisor would have fought harder for you and BMWNA would have been more understanding. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If it matters that much to you, I would exhaust all avenues. I would write letters, send e-mails, make phone calls, try different dealers or service advisors, etc.

[bman05]

As far these being safety issues, you have a valid point (much more valid than peeling steering wheel trim). If BMW trannies regularly went at 50K, I'd think a recall or a fix were due. Water pumps I view as a more disposable part, although your point is well taken.

I've had to replace water pumps regularly on previous 3-series that I have owned and I always replaced them around the 60-70K mark. I knew of this issue and it was preventive and simple enough. When a water pump goes, it is worn out for the most part. The only tranny I had go on me was in 1999 on a '99 Ford Explorer with under 3K miles on it (under warranty obviously).

If my tranny went at 51K miles I'd be pissed, unless there was some abuse on my part. Good points though...I suppose I am subjectively stuck on the catastrophic oil intake issue I am undegoing.

I'll try the service advisor route again. Going to see him this week!

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by bman05

As far these being safety issues, you have a valid point (much more valid than peeling steering wheel trim). If BMW trannies regularly went at 50K, I'd think a recall or a fix were due. Water pumps I view as a more disposable part, although your point is well taken.

I've had to replace water pumps regularly on previous 3-series that I have owned and I always replaced them around the 60-70K mark. I knew of this issue and it was preventive and simple enough. When a water pump goes, it is worn out for the most part. The only tranny I had go on me was in 1999 on a '99 Ford Explorer with under 3K miles on it (under warranty obviously).

If my tranny went at 51K miles I'd be pissed, unless there was some abuse on my part. Good points though...I suppose I am subjectively stuck on the catastrophic oil intake issue I am undegoing.

I'll try the service advisor route again. Going to see him this week!

Lean on him. Let him know how dissappointed you are in BMW. The term lost faith seems to strike a chord with them. What about contacting the person in the thread I linked above who got BMW to do it as goodwill? Maybe you can find out who his service advisor is and maybe he can help you. You never know.

I don't want to stress you out even more, but X5's lose trannies here as much as oil separators burst. Do a search on trans issues if you want to lose some sleep. A good number have crapped out with less than 50k-100k. It is another known issue.

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Wait a sec Stan, do you have a E53 or E70? and which engine? and date of production?

E53 4.4i. Date of production is April 2006. I only asked about the E70 to see if BMW rectified the cold weather misfire issues for the next model X5.

[X5 Meister]

I see. So you have an N62 engine and the fix for it is completely different and quite a bit more involved. See SIB 110107 here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...under-cpo.html

In fact given your production date I would bet you already have the upgraded parts. You can check for yourself pretty easily by just removing the acoustic engine cover (4 Torx T30 screws; the front 2 are easy to access, the back 2 (closest to the firewall) are much harder to access and you'll need a Torx T30 socket with a pretty low profile socket wrench) and taking a look.

Originally Posted by StanF18

E53 4.4i. Date of production is April 2006. I only asked about the E70 to see if BMW rectified the cold weather misfire issues for the next model X5.

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

I see. So you have an N62 engine and the fix for it is completely different and quite a bit more involved. See SIB 110107 here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...under-cpo.html

In fact given your production date I would bet you already have the upgraded parts. You can check for yourself pretty easily by just removing the acoustic engine cover (4 Torx T30 screws; the front 2 are easy to access, the back 2 (closest to the firewall) are much harder to access and you'll need a Torx T30 socket with a pretty low profile socket wrench) and taking a look.

Awesome. I somehow missed the 110107 SIB. Glad you pointed me to it. I had only seen the "Intermediate Levers" one. Wonder how much parts and labor will run for "Procedure B" if I need it....