X5 Idle problems under load..

[turquise1]

Hey ppl,

After surviving the frigid cold oil separator issue with a new separator and some hoses, my X5 (4.4 2001 with 160k on it) had problems staying 'running' at low idle. Engine would die randomly parked/driving at low rpms and would studder at higher rpms as well.

I immediately suspected the MAF, and changed with a new one which solved that problem. I also changed the spark plugs with new NGKs, because I was told by my mechanic they were bad.

My car is running very smooth now except it still has another idle problem which only happens when the engine is coming down from a higher rpm and shifting to lower gear (under load, while driving). Engine RPM seems to go all the way down and almost hits zero and seems to recover with a studder or die 1 out of 10 times.

What else would be the problem? Would it still be a vacuum issue? If so, there are some thin hoses over the engine that look old (one is black w blue stripes, havent changed them yet) and some sort of an electric valve (part # 11741742711) I am suspecting..

Please advice..

Cheers,

Oz

p.s. there was a 'soft' error regarding temp sensor, which I changed as well, but no other errors except today's p0430 which did not come back after reset)

[WEERAB]

did you manage to get the problem with the low idling as mine sometime cuts out altogether