X5 problem with cold weather -Start shakes, misfires

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Marc D

Allright big thanks to all of you for the input !
At this point, i will deal with it with the turn on/off/on work around. Need to find a good mechanic and meantime check with the fuel alternative

Now i have to explain that to the wife ..you should see her face when this happend ...bought the X5 30 days ago...

@ turbo - bimmer : i'm located in deux montagnes - will love to join the club
@ roadkill : Yes flash and than stay on ...

Marc, I sent you a PM with some information.

[Whitecat]

UPDATE Hello guys

Just want to give u quick update on the misfire experienced 3weeks ago.

1. Went to the (st) dealers to get my code that i paid for : nothing they told me that they erased it.
2. Brought the X to a BMW non dealer mechanic and left the X for 3 days to the garage (weather climbed up and no misfire occured during that period)

3.Mechanic suggest to change sparkplugs and see if plastics socket were damaged...all fine... but changed the 8 sparkplug (bosh) $150 (spark plug were a bit dark he said)

4. My X is now in my garage (detached from the house) with small heater under engine.
Last couple of days weather went down below -20 ...

5. Not a single misfire since then, garage heated at 30F

6. The X work perfect until now....winter is not over thought.

7. Wrote a nice letter to the Dealer owner about all this ...6days ago ..no reply from them
Remember that they recommend a $7k job to fix all this...but they keep send me advertising to buy some luggage M LOL


Take care

[Naz24]

Definitely intermediate levers...

[Dupersenior]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Definitely intermediate levers...

Yup. If it comes back (and it most likely will if the car is started in extreme cold again) don't waste your money on any random guess fixes like spark plugs. The only true fix is to take the valvetrain apart and replace the intermediate levers and eccentric shafts. This is a massive job, a few thousand dollars in parts alone. Most people do what you did- just live with it, and try to avoid letting it get too cold.

I don't know of any major problems that are caused by not fixing it . And aside from intermediate levers, there are lots of good reasons to try to keep your car out of the extreme cold.

[Whitecat]

Ya heated garage is good....key decision will be base on future damage if not fix...my initial question...
This is a real think twice when you have to spend 20% of the value of the car in repair....and i dont think any mechanic will warranty 100% sure that this massive job will fix the problem. This can easily turn into a financial desaster...

I stiil have this in my head...you and me have the same vehicule (mine even recent 2006) same kilo/miles....if the problem (intermediate lever) occured only when temperature come very cold, is that mean that you can have the same issue with intermediate lever but you don't know because you live somewhere where climat always above 0?....is the only way to know that intermediate lever need to be changed is cold temperature ?...if so than live with it is a no brainer....thank you for your time

[Dupersenior]

Originally Posted by Marc D

if the problem (intermediate lever) occured only when temperature come very cold, is that mean that you can have the same issue with intermediate lever but you don't know because you live somewhere where climat always above 0?

Yes, I've never heard of anyone having problems caused by intermediate levers who doesn't live in a place where it gets cold. But the intermediate lever wear has nothing to do with cold weather, so there are probably people who have worn levers but aren't affected by it. I've heard people say that the engine seems to perform better after the levers have been fixed, but for me, once the engine is warm (or if it's warm outside), the engine is perfectly smooth, and acceleration is about what I'd expect for a vehicle with the X5's power and weight.

[roym01]

Marc D,

I started the 'X5 Bucking like a Bronco' thread. For approx. 1 hour of labour, I would give what solved my issue a try. The weather has been up and down the last few weeks and this week's high temps will be -6 to -14. I know it's been only a few weeks since the fix so I will try to keep everyone posted on the permanancy of the fix so you can decide for yourselves if you want to give it a try.

It would be interesting if someone else would give this a shot and report back.

[Whitecat]

Thanks Dupersenior / Naz24, you guys are great (although the intermediate lever medication is killing me.

@Roymo1 ok thanks i will flip and follow Bronco thread.

I also found this BMW 2006 bulletin
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...detergency.pdf

The interesting part is related to this ""Regular use of BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus can help address carbon deposits related symptoms listed above. By removing these deposits, an engine may experience restored power, performance and fuel efficiency, a smoother idle running, lower emissions, and reduced octane requirement.""....when i went to the dealer camera was seing this carbone deposit....i'll give it a try.....should not hurt....

[Whitecat]

Well, quick update on the misfire problem at cold start ...during cold weather

The X can be a very mysterious cat....following misfire at coldstart (3time) it's been a month and a half ....nothing...and believe me we had a series of cold snap during this winter with -30 few time.

Here is what i did :

1. Put the X in the garage heated
2. Put the battery on smart low voltage charger when not used
3. Changed sparkplug
4. Add the BMW fuel system cleaner (techron)

Not a single misfire and BTW i also did some cold start when the X was outside for many hours at -20....

I feel that the battery is for something....mine is 2006 and i think i will put a new one.....anyway im not pretending that i found THE medication of the almost occult misfire problem but hey , fact is ; problem, (for now) resolved...at quite low cost..

[Whitecat]

First thank you to all for your help !

Missfire came back until.... Finally found the problem (hope) : Valve cover gasket both bank and Bosh New plug ( the 8 tube were perfect no need to changed).
No more misfire and car shaking and light engine flashing... ....the cat is running Soooo smooth ...wow ...intermediate lever ? Time will tell ...but leaks from the valve cover gasket was direct linked... Big job $$ .. 8 hours plus parts : $1k most of the cost are labour.