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

[THK]

As a new member of this board because of my recent BMW vehicle purchase, I am amazed at the attitude of some on this board and other forum groups I belong too. A chill pill is needed. I will say this board is more professional in providing assistance to it's members and to date I have learned a lot about my BMW. Thank you.

With regards to the CCV and other problems the BMW's have, calling BMWNA is a waste of our time. Sure, they document the call and tell you tough luck and send you on their way. If you want BMWNA to sit up and take notice, file your complaint with them. Then go to the NHTSA web site and file a complaint. Enough safety complaints on a certain item will prompt the NHTSA to take a look at warranty records and at BMW's costumer complaint system; telephone calls and correspondence. If enough complaints are received and NHTSA's investigation of the subject validates the complaint, a recall could be issued. But that is up to us in filing the complaint.

I have spent too many years in the automotive industry (service rep for an automotive manufacture) having to pick up parts to send to engineering department because the NHTSA took an interest in a subject matter.

Again, thanks for the education on BMW's that I have received.

[X5 Meister]

You could always start a new thread covering a NHTSA / CCV campaign, provide the proper contact info, links, etc. The easier you make it for people to do I think the more everyone will get out of it.

Welcome.

Originally Posted by THK

As a new member of this board because of my recent BMW vehicle purchase, I am amazed at the attitude of some on this board and other forum groups I belong too. A chill pill is needed. I will say this board is more professional in providing assistance to it's members and to date I have learned a lot about my BMW. Thank you.

With regards to the CCV and other problems the BMW's have, calling BMWNA is a waste of our time. Sure, they document the call and tell you tough luck and send you on their way. If you want BMWNA to sit up and take notice, file your complaint with them. Then go to the NHTSA web site and file a complaint. Enough safety complaints on a certain item will prompt the NHTSA to take a look at warranty records and at BMW's costumer complaint system; telephone calls and correspondence. If enough complaints are received and NHTSA's investigation of the subject validates the complaint, a recall could be issued. But that is up to us in filing the complaint.

I have spent too many years in the automotive industry (service rep for an automotive manufacture) having to pick up parts to send to engineering department because the NHTSA took an interest in a subject matter.

Again, thanks for the education on BMW's that I have received.

[StanF18]

I just want to remark that since 90% of these issues are related to cold weather and glorious Spring is finally upon us, we can all breathe easy for the next 6 or 7 months.

The long-term fix for all of us is clearly to ditch the E53 and plunk all of one's retirement savings into a 2011 X5///M...say around November sometime when the mercury starts to dip below 30. IRAs are over-rated anyway.

[X5 Meister]

So you're pretty confident the new oil separator is problem-free eh?

Originally Posted by StanF18

The long-term fix for all of us is clearly to ditch the E53 and plunk all of one's retirement savings into a 2011 X5///M...say around November sometime when the mercury starts to dip below 30. IRAs are over-rated anyway.

[mysweetx5]

Originally Posted by 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

My friend you're dan'm right!!! And I agree with you 100% because *BMW"s Brand are too expensive in quality for their parts to keeps failing like that. Specially BMW's x5 are too well designed and built to be true. It had to be some bad issues behind...???
Specially for me who is one of the most poor guy in the town, and struggling to drive around with a beautiful (BMW X5 4.4i). If I ever experience such big issues like engine failure or transmission, you guys better start to look for parts on ebay, because there's no way I'm gonna be able to pay the stealer's for big problem like that enless I become the mega loto million winner!!!

(01 BMW X5 4.4i cold leather package)

[reergo]

I had a similar issue this past winter (it was pretty cold that day) when I got the engine smoking and oil blowing everywhere on my 2002 X5 3.0 wit approximately 110K miles on odometer. I had a pretty bad luck dealing with BMW even while the vehicle was still on the warranty so I do not deal with them anymore. I had the car towed to a friend of mine who ownes a shop and takes care of all my cars. Fortunately , I have not blown the engine. The engine cover gasket was blown and the valve needed to be replaced. Also, to be on a safe side, we changed the oil on the coolant. Aside from the smell of burning oil (forseveral months) there were no other bad consequences. The bill was $360 and I felt lucky.

After doing some research I found that BMW was aware of the problem but never issued a recall. A lot of people had blown their engines and never got reimbursed. BMW did modify the valve, though, on later models. They also were paying for repairs in Canada but not in US.

The way BMW deals with consumers is a shame but, I guess, it is a business decision.

The owners also have a decision to make. You either eat that cost or fight to get your money back. Toyota learned it hard way and tere has to be a hungry lawyer who can make a class action suit out of it.

[cavx5]

hi everyone...i read most of the posts but have not found a clear answer...i have a 2005 x5 4.4 with 26k miles..does my car have the updated ccv..and if not how can i check if there is a way to check or should i change it as preventive..it seems to be that the pre facelift vehicles suffer more with this issue..i live downstate ny and it does get pretty cold in winter..thanks for any advice..rob

[dave762]

I just went through almost the exact thing. We purchased our 03 BMW X5 4.6L in July of 2010. We live in Saskatchewan, Canada and had some horribly cold days this winter. We live in a small town and own an automotive repair shop in the same town. We specialize in European vehicles and have always driven, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagon or Volvos. I drive to work most days, which is a 3 minute drive at the most. Started the vehicle after work and let it run approx. 10 minutes to warm up. Put it in reverse and backed up about 4 feet then put it into drive and it stalled with no re-start. Oil everywhere!!!! valve had froze pushing oil into back cylinder and the connecting rod broke and went through the block and the oil pan. Being a 4.6L , we had an extremely hard time finding an engine. New engine $24,000 plus shipping from Germany. We did find one in Quebec but had a lot of problems with the business we bought it from. The engine finally showed up a month late and I'm pretty sure its a 4.4L . Plate on head says G44L0 and ours says G46L0 but no one can tell us for sure. Very very tired of dealing with unpleasant, unhelpful people and am very disappointed in BMW so yeah I feel your pain. I'm curious as to what size the engine in your X5 is.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by dave762

I just went through almost the exact thing. We purchased our 03 BMW X5 4.6L in July of 2010. We live in Saskatchewan, Canada and had some horribly cold days this winter. We live in a small town and own an automotive repair shop in the same town. ......

You actually drive 3 minutes to work, on a regular basis? And you warm up your vehicle by idling it with no load on it? Those are both terrible for the engine, as I am sure you know since you own a repair shop.

Sorry to hear about your engine failure, but a 4.6 is not well suited to that type of driving.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by JCL

You actually drive 3 minutes to work, on a regular basis? And you warm up your vehicle by idling it with no load on it? Those are both terrible for the engine, as I am sure you know since you own a repair shop.

Sorry to hear about your engine failure, but a 4.6 is not well suited to that type of driving.

10 minutes is WAY too long to just idle and as we all know, a 3 minute drive is complete hell on a vehicle.