Leak in engine bay after BMW visit

WWONG · #1 02-23-2013, 05:28 PM

So I bring my '12 X5 Diesel to the dealership to get my 10K mile oil change and the engine pulley bolt recall done.

I open up the engine bay this morning and I see this white frozen-looking material all over the driver-side of the engine (last pic seems to be the source). What happened? Looks like dried coolant everywhere. What do you guys think? I'm still waiting to hear back from the SA.

TerminatorX5 · #2 02-23-2013, 05:35 PM

is the car overheating now?

WWONG · #3 02-23-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

is the car overheating now?

Haven't driven it since I brought it home from the dealer last night. If it were overheating, I wouldn't know until I see smoke/steam from the engine bay. Stupid BMW giving me a worthless MPG gauge instead of engine temp gauge.

TerminatorX5 · #4 02-23-2013, 05:40 PM

i amnot familiar with E70, and i wonder if it has a similar test function in the cluster that gives you the temps and the others... regardless, it seems that the dealer should fix the car, give a loaner for the duration... and probalbly tow the car to them, to avoid further damage... at their expense, of course...

jspdr · #5 02-23-2013, 05:49 PM

You need a reasonable explanation as to the cause from SA. show this to the GM at the dealership and have them assure you everything is functioning properly.

zx45 · #6 02-23-2013, 06:01 PM

Wow what a mess! looks like a "peewee" error. This is just unbearable on a 60 grand+ vehicule, that's why i try to stay away from the dealer doing all the maintenance i can myself. But they will have a good excuse... as usual. Good-luck buddy.

Penguin · #7 02-23-2013, 06:10 PM

Looks like they simply splashed a bunch of DEF while refilling it. Looks like a backsplash from filling the primary DEF tank, as that's the general area , if I recall correctly.

Typically the DEF looks clear when spilled onto surfaces, so it looks fine to the tech after it splashes, as it's all shiny black. Then when it dries later and you see it, it looks like heck.

It should wipe-off with a rag and plain water.

WWONG · #8 02-23-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

Looks like they simply splashed a bunch of DEF while refilling it. Looks like a backsplash from filling the primary DEF tank, as that's the general area , if I recall correctly.

Typically the DEF looks clear when spilled onto surfaces, so it looks fine to the tech after it splashes, as it's all shiny black. Then when it dries later and you see it, it looks like heck.

It should wipe-off with a rag and plain water.

Hmmm. Looks like you're on to something. I noticed all this white stuff is on the driver-side of the engine. However, it's also on one spot on the passenger side (see pic). I believe that's where you fill the DEF with. My question is how the hell did so much get on the driver side if it is DEF?

The SA said he would get back to me on what the problem is after I sent him the pic but also said they want to power wash the car. AKA "Let's hose down your alternator and everything else electrical". Ugh.

Penguin · #9 02-23-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWONG

Hmmm. Looks like you're on to something. I noticed all this white stuff is on the driver-side of the engine. However, it's also on one spot on the passenger side (see pic). I believe that's where you fill the DEF with. My question is how the hell did so much get on the driver side if it is DEF?

The passenger side is the smaller secondary tank filling point (there are two tanks to fill). The larger, primary DEF tank fill is on the Drivers side. It is a long tube going to the primary tank located under the vehicle, so, just like the occasional splash-back when filling a fuel tank, you can get it projected quite a ways when it backs up the tube. Being harder to reach and long, spills and/or splashbacks are not that unexpected on that side.

As for the passenger side, the only residue seems to be in the cup area, which is there for the purpose of catching slight spills. It would be nice if they cleaned it, but frankly, that residue in in the splashover cup of the passenger side wouldn't bother me a bit.

The mess on the driver's side is another story....

Personally, I wouldn't let anyone near the engine compartment with a powerwash wand. I would either wipe it down myself with a damp rag and a bucket of clean water, or insist that the dealer do it by hand as well.

If you're wondering why two DEF tanks, the smaller secondary tank is heated to prevent the DEF from freezing in very cold weather. Keeping the entire DEF supply liquid would take more power and battery drain.

TerminatorX5 · #10 02-23-2013, 06:14 PM

take it to the dealer, have them clean it up and document this fact, so if in the near future some of the engine bay electronic modules gives, you will have something to fall back onto...
It could be a splash, then nothing much to worry about, or it could be a coolant hose knocked off place... you don't need this kind of headache from a dealer - their technicians are supposed to be factory trained, blah blah, blah...

just make sure it is documented