Oxygen sensor and idle control valve

[John B]

This forum helped me save $900 on a windshield wiper problem last month, so now I'm back for more advice. My 2001 X5 (out of warranty, natch) was idling unevenly, so it took it in to the dealer and the diagnoses/estimates were:
- Replace oxygen sensor for pre-catalytic converter and reprogram entire car ($615);
- Replace idle control valve $525); and
- Replace spark plugs ($445)

I've already seen the post about the pre-cat oxygen sensor ($48 on Amazon, install it myself, OK), but what about the idle control valve? What brand/model? Can I do that part myself?

Also, anyone know any good BMW mechanics in the Washington DC area?

Thanks in advance...

[jgold47]

I did the two O2 senors and new plugs in about an hour. I am pretty advanced, that said. 6 new iridium plug and 2 o2 sensors was 150 bucks. I dont know what they mean by reprogram, other than to clear the codes and reset the DME adaptations. Thats really not necessary, the car will re-calibrate itself after 2-300 miles of driving.

The icv may need to be replaced, but likely it just needs to be cleaned.

this all assumes you have a M54 engine...

[John B]

Thanks, JGold. I have an X5 3.0i and the nifty little Amazon app that matches parts with the car says the engine is a "3.0L L6 Gas DOHC Distributorless Naturally Aspirated Siemens MS 43 Electronic FI MFI."

[jgold47]

yeah, so its super easy then. There are plenty of DIY's on doing the plugs and o2 sensors. If you dont like what you see here, you can also search on e46fanatics.com, as its the same engine.

[bastereo]

The engine (and transmission among others) are run by computers. These computers have software, just like any computer. BMW, and most auto manufacturers, occasionally updates the software, but because it takes special equipment and a technicians time, they charge to perform the updates.

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