Another BMW X5 Catches Fire (Kills DC Lobbyist)

[TheKingSim0n]

So the freakiest thing about these X5s that catch fire is that it happens to often if you ask me. I remember how previous users of XOutPost posted about there X5's catching fire and I remember seeing multiple news posts all over the web regarding "Random X5s go on fire".

Lobbyist’s death compounds tragedy in Washington - Yahoo! News

Thats the link regarding the Lobbyists X5.

Another Safety Problem for BMW: X5s That Catch Fire - DailyFinance

Thats the link regarding X5s catching fire.

So my question is if its such an issue that already more then one has died, why hasn't BMW done anything about it? :/

[Weasel]

I would be interested in finding the cause of the fires, as I don't see much component failure that could cause it under the hood.

There is a video out there now (i saw it on liveleak) of an E39 stuck on ice flooring it with a sustained RPM that has to be about 5-6k rpm... then it starts smoking then flaming under the hood. My suspicion in that one is that they had a valve cover leak then held that RPM for long enough to get the exhaust manifold hot enough to reach the oil's combustion point. I wonder if the lobbyist was foolishly flooring his truck in park to get the heater warmed up?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TheKingSim0n

So my question is if it's such an issue that already more then one has died, why hasn't BMW done anything about it? :/

It is unreasonable and far too expensive for all of us for any manufacturer to investigate and modify all vehicles of a certain model for a problem that does not appear to be widespread or repeatable.

I don't think there is any evidence that X5s catch on fire any more than any other model of vehicle. I think we just notice it if it is the model we own.

[Weasel]

I agree that you notice it more when it happens to what you own.

The above scenario I mentioned I know for a fact is possible as it happened once to my old '89 ford bronco... The valve covers were leaking and after an impressive burnout the exhaust got hot enough to ignite the leaked oil. I noticed after the burnout smoke cleared there was still smoke from under the hood. Popped the hood and there was a line of fire up the passengers side of the engine! But in a drunken moment of splendor (with the group of us laughing about the whole thing already) a friend of mine jumped up on the radiator support and yelled "piss on ford!" as he did just that to put it out...! That was the last time I did that kind of shenanigans with the bronco at my friends old shop, but we always had fun drunken stuff to do after hours to try hurting ourselves in the most fun ways. I miss those days! (why is youth wasted on the young? And why do I feel old enough to say that!)

[HPIA4v2]

In the early day of X5, the 3.0 engine has been known to have aux fan overheat problem (the actuality of it is the resistor wattage rating was smaller on OEM made by Phillips but Ok with BOSCH; BMW always have 2 sources on parts just like Toyota with the accelerator). There were report of X5 caught fire, in garage and road back then.

That's one of the reason I switched my order to 4.4i back in 2001. I thought BMW made recall on this issue for 2000 X5 3.0i

[Wayne's World]

There is a recall for the E70s (4.8 i believe) for the dealers to install grounding cables as there is risk of static shock to the fuel rail in low humidity circumstances, such as the cold season in the northeast. Static + fuel rail/vapor = fire?

[imola38]

I hate what happened to the lobbyist and don't want to sound abrasive but come on, really? I think there's obviously something more to this story. If your sitting in your car and you see a fire beginning anywhere, your going to get the hell out! I don't see the X5 just suddenly blowing up.. I think it was either involved in some kind of accident or form of sabotage or something. I just can't see being killed in a car fire unless theres was a sudden, massive explosion.

Just my unsolicited 02..

-Ben

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by imola38

I hate what happened to the lobbyist and don't want to sound abrasive but come on, really? I think there's obviously something more to this story. If your sitting in your car and you see a fire beginning anywhere, your going to get the hell out! I don't see the X5 just suddenly blowing up.. I think it was either involved in some kind of accident or form of sabotage or something. I just can't see being killed in a car fire unless theres was a sudden, massive explosion.

Just my unsolicited 02..

-Ben

As soon as I heard the story, I thought the same thing. Who really crashes into their garage that hard anyway??????? Then I saw pictures of the garage and X. Looks like she could have escaped out of any of the 5 doors!!!!! Very little smoke damage, none in the rear. Suspicious is all I'm saying. Just like the poor man found in the land fill

[Kewl X5]

There was no 2000 X5 3.0i...The first model year 2000 X5 was only a 4.4i. However, the auxiliary fan recalled affected multiple cars. By the way, both 4.4i and 3.0i X5s were affected among other BMWs.

Here is a copy of the last recall (there were actually 2-3 recalls). I remember because my 2001 X5 3.0i was at BMW dealer 3 times to replace the fan. The last replacement has lasted till now!

From 9/2001:

“SUBJECT
Recall Campaign 01V-206: Engine Auxiliary/Cooling Fan - E46, E38, E39, E52, E53
MODEL
E46, 3 Series with manual transmission, produced 02/01/2001 up to 06/01/2001
E38, 7 Series from 11/01/2000 up to 06/30/2001
E39, 5 Series from 01/16/2001 up to 08/31/2001
E52, Z8 from 01/01/2001 up to 08/31/2001
E53, X5 from 12/18/2000 up to 09/05/2001
NOTE :
This notification contains important revisions to Recall Campaign 01V-206, Engine Auxiliary /Cooling Fan which has been revised.
ALL VEHICLES CAMPAIGNED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL 01V-206 WILL BE RECALLED AGAIN USING THE FOLLOWING, NEW PART NUMBERS:
· E46 – PN 17 11 7 510 617
· E39 – PN 64 54 6 921 395
· E38/E52 – PN 64 54 6 921 383
· E53 – PN 64 54 6 921 381.
Should a customer who has received a Notification Letter for the Recall 01V-206 request that Recall 01V-206 be performed, proceed with the repairs described in this Service Bulletin.
This Service Information Bulletin is going to be updated shortly with the full VIN range of the affected vehicles. Customer notification mailings will follow.
SITUATION
The potential defect involves the engine auxiliary/cooling fan in certain MY 2001 BMW vehicles.
Fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. It is possible for the electrical circuitry in the fan control unit to overheat and fail, causing the fan to stop operating. If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result if vehicle continues to be operated, despite the warning provided by the coolant temperature gauge.
In addition, it is possible in some cases for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause smoldering. In the extreme case, a fire in the fan control unit, which is mounted in the fan and located in the front of the engine compartment, could occur. This could happen either while the engine is running or after the ignition has been switched off since fan may run for up to 11 minutes after engine shutdown.”

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

In the early day of X5, the 3.0 engine has been known to have aux fan overheat problem (the actuality of it is the resistor wattage rating was smaller on OEM made by Phillips but Ok with BOSCH; BMW always have 2 sources on parts just like Toyota with the accelerator). There were report of X5 caught fire, in garage and road back then.

That's one of the reason I switched my order to 4.4i back in 2001. I thought BMW made recall on this issue for 2000 X5 3.0i

[SlowRider]

Via Yahoo! News:
"Peter Cohan of AOL's Daily Finance noted Tuesday that the car Turton was driving -- a BMW X5 -- has a history of catching fire."


Go to that Daily Finance column and here's the history given:

"July 30, 2009, a 2004 BMW X5 went up in flames at a resident's home, according to WPRI.com"
>> The linked news story states that the cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.

"Topix's BMW X5 Fire category has 48 posts pertaining to BMW X5 fires since 2007."
>> Topix is an open forum where anybody can post anything anonymously.

"A blog is even dedicated to BMW electrical fires, and there's a Twitter feed called mybimmerburned."
>> The free wordpress blog and Twitter feed are also free, anonymous, and unverified.


So I wonder if Peter Cohan of AOL's Daily Finance doesn't understand proper sourcing or if financial "journalism" has some different standard.