I'm Back. New X5 35d

[Meinhold]

Well, it's been just a little over 3 years since I sold my 05 e53 4.4. I bought a 2016 Range Rover L405 TD6. Before you say anything, I love this thing It's been very reliable and it munches the miles.
However, I'm trying to not put too many miles on it and I came across this 2011 X5 35d It's in great shape the interior looks new, and the body and paint are 8 out of ten. 142,000 miles on the clock. I got it for $3800. So of course there is an issue and I'm sure you all can guess. Yup, it's the DPF. I don't think anyone has tried the Liqui Moly two-part cleaning. So I'm going to try that first.
Also, has anyone just drilled a 3" hole in the DPF and had it work?

My plan for the X5:
I have a goal to ski 30 days this winter and live on the central coast of California, any good place is 400 miles away. So I'm going to put the miles down this winter. I want to find some 18" wheels and put some Toyo open Country III that are Triple Peak. Might even do a spacer lift so I can put a little taller tire on it.
So other than doing a complete service. I should be off to the races. I just need to deal with the DPF.
Any suggestion will be much appreciated.

[Attacking Mid]

Welcome back and congrats. While Xoutpost is where it's at as far as E53's, you may find there's more E70 action on the bimmerfest forum.

What's the issue with your DPF?

AM.

[Henn28]

Try Fluid Motor Union in Illinois. I’ve got their e53 lift on my x5 and it’s easy driveway work to install. Anything 1.5 to 2” will kick the front camber out too negative to correct. Not sure about the e70, but the e53 only has a very small range of adjustability up front via slots in the strut towers. Beyond that I had to fab some brackets for the rear leveling suspension and tweak it with INPA.

I seem to recall FMU had an e70 kit too.

[Meinhold]

I will look into the spacer and I just post it on the Bimmerfest forum.

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by Meinhold

I will look into the spacer and I just post it on the Bimmerfest forum.

Sorry, I meant to type “anything beyond 1.5” to 2” will kick the camber out too far….”

[Meinhold]

I found the problem with the DPF. The hoses that connect the pressure sensor to the DPF were rotten and not connected. I put two new hoses on and no more check engine light. Now I'm trying to get the emissions monitors to clear before I can smog it.

[robinasu]

Awesome. You can pick up x5d's with emissions issues for a steal if you are savvy, like you sir. Nice score.

Seems like you've been doing some reading so just in case here is some info and the drive cycles. If you follow the drive cycle instructions it takes a couple hours assuming your cold start tests are successful. Put on all electrical consumers on "high" for cold start readiness tests.

Vacuum lines are a source of a decent number of emissions related codes.

The HP-EGR cooler flap return springs snap but myself and others fashion an external spring. This would show a plausability code if broken.

Check thermostat operation with hidden cluster menu (YouTube). If yours hasn't been replaced you would be fortunate if it's working still at 140k. This would not throw a code. One of the only diagnostic misses BMW made and a critical one. if the thermostat is not showing 88C +/- ~2C at all times it needs to be replaced as coolant temperature is critical to at least proper glow plug and DPF regeneration operation.

Sounds like you don't have any other codes if you are working on the readiness monitors:

The readiness codes indicate the status of the roadworthiness-related engine diagnoses. The tests have to be successfully completed for a vehicle to pass its exhaust emissions test. If faults are identified during the test, a fault is registered in the fault memory and the readiness code process is not successfully completed. The tests can be carried out by means of a conditioning road test.
Notes
Modified diesel particulate filter regeneration from integration level 10-04-500 onwards
For vehicles with an integration level of 10-04-500 onwards, it takes up to 7.5 hours (engine operating time) to check the diesel particulate filter regeneration. The vehicle engine may be stopped several times during this period.
The reason for this change is due to tighter engine monitoring function legislation. Two normal regenerations are needed to check the diesel particulate filter regeneration. These are performed over a driving time of 7.5 hours. The vehicle can be switched off an unlimited number of times during the check. The critical element is the completion of the two regeneration cycles.
A regeneration request by the diagnosis system is not required for the second regeneration. A request does not speed up the diagnostic function of the diesel particulate filter because it is not evaluated as a normal regeneration by the engine control unit.
The time and mileage of the last successful regeneration can be called up using the diagnosis system. These values are also available in the control unit function.
Please contact Technical Support with any problems or queries, or send us your thoughts on the diagnosis tester by e-mail to [email protected].
Thank you for your understanding.
Reading readiness codes:
Display in the test module Definition
Completed Testing of the subsystem has been carried out by the control unit.
Not completed Testing of the subsystem has not yet been fully completed. Or else faults occurred during the test.
- The readiness codes are reset when the fault memory is cleared (status: "Not completed").
- If not all readiness codes are set, the possible reasons are as follows:
The fault codes have just been deleted. All readiness codes are set to "Not completed". The conditioning road test must be carried out again.
Not all OBD tests have been completed. For the readiness codes to be set, specific vehicle conditions and driving cycles are required. Carry out the necessary driving cycles.
A fault was detected during the test. A fault is registered in the fault memory. Read out fault memory again. So that the fault is displayed on the diagnosis system, repeat the vehicle test or individual control unit test. Rectify the fault. Clear fault memory and carry out conditioning road test.
Driving profile for conditioning road test
So that all readiness code tests can be completed, a conditioning road test with the driving profile set out below is required (duration 60-90 minutes). No emission-relevant fault codes may be present for the engine control unit.

Driving profile (overrun means coasting with foot off gas):

1. Start the engine from cold. Immediately, without an idling period, drive the car at 40 km/h (25 mph) for 5 minutes.
2. Drive long enough for sensors to be enabled. If the vehicle has been standing for an extended period, it is possible that the NOx sensors may not be enabled until it has been driven for 15-20 minutes. The status of the nitrogen oxide sensors can be checked with the diagnosis tester.
3. Drive briskly for 10 minutes. Incorporate at least 10-30 overrunning phases and load changes. The overrunning phases must last between 5 and 18 seconds. The shorter the overrunning phases, the more of them have to be carried out.
4. Allow the vehicle to idle for about 1 minute while stationary.
5. Accelerate the vehicle at high load from a standing start to 90 km/h (55 mph). Then, drive at a constant speed of about 90 km/h (55 mph) for at least 30-45 minutes.
6. Allow the vehicle to idle for about 1 minute while stationary.
7. NOTE: For vehicles with an integration level of 10-04-500, it takes up to 7.5 hours of engine operating time to check the diesel particulate filter regeneration. The vehicle engine may be stopped several times during this period. See 'Notes' for details.
Use the diagnosis system to select and carry out diesel particulate filter regeneration: Drive at a constant speed of about 90 km/h (50 mph) for 30 minutes. In this case, perform some acceleration and overrun processes of 5-15 seconds duration If such high speeds are not possible, drive with the engine constantly under load and switch on additional electrical equipment such as air conditioning, rear window heater, headlights or seat heaters.
8. Switch off ignition and leave vehicle to stand for 1 minute. Read out readiness codes.
A Speed in mph (25 mph ~ 40 km/h, 55 mph ~ 90 km/h)
B Driving time in minutes

Driving profile for individual readiness codes:

If individual readiness code procedures have not been completed they can be completed with the following driving profiles. No emission-relevant fault codes may be present for the engine control unit.

Readiness code:

Driving profile required for setting the code Misfire monitoring / misfire detection: 1 minute's idling

Fuel system monitoring / fuel system:

Complete at least 10-30 overrun phases of 5-18 seconds' duration with engine warm (approx. 80 °C). The shorter the overrunning phases, the more of them have to be carried out.

Comprehensive components / remaining systems:

Status is set immediately.

NHMC catalyst monitoring / catalytic converter:

Start from cold then drive at about 40 km/h (25 mph) for 5 minutes without any idling phases.

NOx aftertreatment monitoring / nitrogen oxide catalytic converter, SCR system:

Drive until engine is warm (approx. 80 °C). Drive long enough for sensors to be enabled. If the vehicle has been standing for an extended period, it is possible that the NOx sensors may not be enabled until it has been driven for 15-20 minutes. The status of the sensors can be checked with the diagnosis system.
Drive at a constant speed of about 90 km/h (50 mph) for at least 30-45 minutes. During the constant speed phase carry out overrunning phases lasting 5-15 seconds. Afterwards allow the vehicle to idle for about 30 seconds while stationary.

Boost Pressure System Monitoring / charge air system:

Dynamic driving for at least 10 minutes followed by at least 10 minutes of driving at a constant speed of about 90 km/h (50 mph).

Exhaust gas sensor monitoring / exhaust sensor system (oxygen sensors, NOx sensors):

Drive until engine is warm (approx. 80 °C). Drive long enough for sensors to be enabled. If the vehicle has been standing for an extended period, it is possible that the NOx sensors may not be enabled until it has been driven for 15-20 minutes. The status of the sensors can be checked with the diagnosis system.
Carry out at least 5 overrunning phases lasting 10-15 seconds. Perform at least 3 constant drives at about 90 km/h (55 mph). Allow the vehicle to idle for about 15 seconds while stationary. Accelerate the vehicle at high load from a standing start to 90 km/h (55 mph).

PM filter monitoring / diesel particulate filter :

NOTE: For vehicles with an integration level of 10-04-500, it takes up to 7.5 hours of engine operating time to check the diesel particulate filter regeneration. The vehicle engine may be stopped several times during this period. See 'Notes' for details.
Use diagnosis to select filter regeneration.
Drive until engine is warm (approx. 80 °C).
Drive at about 90 km/h (55 mph) for at least 30 minutes so that the diesel particulate filter can be regenerated. If such high speeds are not possible, drive with the engine constantly under load and switch on additional electrical equipment such as air conditioning, rear window heater, headlights or seat heaters. Finally, switch off ignition and leave vehicle to stand for 1 minute.

EGR system monitoring / exhaust-gas recirculation:

Drive until engine is warm (approx. 80 °C).
Drive vehicle briskly for 10 minutes. Incorporate at least 3 idling lasting longer than 40 seconds.

Hope this helps.

[robinasu]

Also I do not recommend suspension ride height modifications. The front suspension has no alignment adjustments beyond toe. There are some camber correcting front A arms that could assist and I would check the rear adjustability range. Maybe it's fine but it's probably more trouble than it's worth, long term.

Highly recommend new front end suspension rebuild and new shocks all around at 140k. I just did that about 5k ago and it's so much better. I just turned 140k- went with the Koni FSD and love them. Perfect blend of comfort and sport. I sense more comfort and same if better handling. Also check the rear suspension ball joints and ensure the rear suspension thrust angle is set precisely and front toe is perfect. As others have shown in the past, the BMW alignment range of what is acceptable is too wide. Ask the shop to get the measurements "equal" on both sides and perfect; not just "in range."

Hope this helps.

[Meinhold]

I got it to pass smog and it’s registered and insured for the first time in two years. I found some wheels off e53 that I liked and milled out the bore to fit. I put Toyo open county’s 255/60 18” on it and they look and work great. I don’t think I’ll go to the trouble of adding a lift. Want better gas mileage when I road trip to the mountains. I will need to rebuild the front end the lower control bushings are bad, not horrible. As best I can tell the EGR has been replaced, it looks to new. The temp is running at the proper 88c, I believe that’s correct. I don’t have the printout in front of me, I know it’s correct. I have done an oil change and still need to do all the rest of the fluids. I’m getting an oil wear code from the transfer case. Once I have it changed I will have my buddy try to reset that code. Anyway I’m really enjoying having a X5 again. I now have 3 diesels and I’m getting hooked on them. Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming.