E70- need help..

[PastorDaddy]

Hi guys- need help and direction. My wife drove her 09 X5 through a very deep puddle during a torrential downpour in a poorly lit area- no visibility. Upon doing so, the motor died. Without fully knowing the dangers, she tried to restart the engine, to no avail. Eventually it did start, and was able to drive to safety -coughing and sputtering the whole way. The longer the vehicle sat, it seemed to slowly clear itself of the coughing and became more normal.
When I got to the scene, and saw that it was running, I assumed that if water had been ingested into the intake, the engine would've likely been locked, or would've been "blown".. But it clearly was running, no warning lights, and no appearant engine damage.
Now a day later, we started it, let it run for a while, and the coughing and sputtering has dissipated, and was showing signs of normal operation. Again with no warning lights.
Here's my question- what do I need to look at at this point to be certain all is well with her Beamer? Also- an engineer friend of mine suggested that I need to change all fluids in the vehicle- oil, trans, diff, and radiator. My thoughts- if it shows signs of no damage and normal running, then that would be less likely/impossible for any of the fluids to be compromised by rain water, or that any rainwater would've seeped in. Am I correct in this? Should I change any of the fluids? And as for the fluids, how can I check the integrity of the fluids with no dipsticks?
Any help or direction you guys have will be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!

[Qsilver7]

Hmmm...let's first thank the Lord above that she made it home safe. When these storms occur...all to frequently we get news of motorist that get swept away trying to drive thru "deep puddles".

PLEASE reiterate to her to NEVER drive thru water that you can't tell the depth...or if it is flowing across the road etc.

As you can see in the video below...t h e X5 can normally drive thru water about a foot high with no problems...so if this was truly just a "puddle"...the engine shouldn't have cut off. Since it did...I would venture that it was more than a deep puddle.

[PastorDaddy]

Thank you! My wife would never drive across a road buried by water intentionally. Her visibility was poor due to streetlights being off (lightning), and the downpour. Trust me- she wouldn't jeopardize her beamer or do something to cause us to have to pay $$ for repairs. I believe it was 12" of standing water, but she hit it at about 20 mph-again not suspecting the road she drive every week was now pitch black and flooded, and unable to seethe impending water problem.
Just had the computer checked- because the check engine light came on, and some light sputtering. I assumed a misfire based on what it was doing. Scanner confirmed cylinders 4,5,6 misfire.
..and yes- the GOOD LORD was thanked the whole time!

[gregg3gs]

My guess you are looking at some electrical malfunction rather than water getting into engine.
Changing fluids would guaranty this when you flush them.
With exception of Transfer Case breather hose on top of the Transfer Case I don't know any of these systems to be opened to outside.

How deep was the puddle?

[PastorDaddy]

That's what I am assuming as well.. The puddle was only about 8-10" deep. The only thing I do not like about these is the fact there is no dipsticks.. That's my concern.. An oil change is easy and not too expensive. The transmission, t-case, diffs, ouch!

[roboe70]

BTW - my daughter lives in La Porte. We are having the same heavy rain in Indy with flash flood warnings.

You don't mention what engine you have in your X5, but can you easily remove the coil packs and plugs from cylinders 3,4 and 5 and visually inspect them? (Pretty easy on my 3.0 N52 engine) Can you sit a small fan in the engine bay and try to dry everything out?

[PastorDaddy]

We started it this morning, drove it down the road, and check engine light came on, and some sputtering ensued. My wife is going to take it to shop close by us, as she filed an insurance claim the next day just in case this wasn't en easy quick fix. If they determine it to be just coils and plugs, simple enough to fix myself.. If its extensive, then that's when I throw in the towel.

[PastorDaddy]

Here's another question to add to the many I have: when she went into the water, and the engine died, she tried putting it into neutral to no avail. How can someone put this in neutral if it needs to be pushed, or even towed for that matter? Could've helped a little that night.

[roboe70]

Page 72 of the owners's manual has the instructions

[PastorDaddy]

Thank you so much!! That was such a big help!