EGR & MAF question
 

Hi
When i bought my X5 it had a P0101 + P0113, so MAF issue. Before buying a new one i went to check how it was installed there and...it was unplugged :dunno:
So i plugged it back, and the reading went ok, cleaned the code and it didn't came back.
But the "orange triangle with circled arrow" light was still on.

So i read the codes again and now i have a P0401, which is EGR flow related.
The EGR valve is here, took a photo, then while looking on google to compare i noticed it's missing the small hose on it's "head".


https://i.ibb.co/2nrHJKT/IMG-20210511-165814.jpg


The car behaves ok, no limp mode, no weird rev, pulls well.

The only thing is some white smoke cloud coming at cold startup, but don't know if it's related (if someone can tell me why it does that...). No smoke when starting warm, neither when flooring it.

What to do with this egr? Remove it for a cleaning?
Then what about this small hose that's not here? What's it's purpose, and also is it bad to drive like this?


Another thing: the check engin light never come in, even when they all light when i turn the key in the ignition. Should it light or not?


Thanks

You're not telling what age your E53 is, so with M57 or M57N engine. Either way it's EU3 version (no throttle valve and no EGR cooler =no DPF). That vacuum hose is disconnected from EGR valve to disable its operation. That EGR code for too high air mass comes because of this. Though it won't cause any problems or limp mode. With these EU3 versions I would leave it like that so there's no EGR soot blocking the intake.

Regarding white smoke very difficult to say if it's normal condensation from exhaust or perhaps some excess oil from worn turbo or blocked oil separator on crankcase ventilation.

Good question for the engine, how could i check? It's a 2005 3.0d (no DPF for sure, exhaust tips points down).


So you tell me i can drive like that and the only "issue" will be a displayed default code?
Or still better to clean it out and plug back the vacuum hose if i find it there?


I planned to replace air filter, pcv, change oil & filter as it's 270k and i have no clear history of maintenance. Will see after if it's still smoking.


Thought about the turbo also (with some cold sweat..) but if it was that it should smoke when driving / revving no?

The light should come on and go off once the engine starts or should continue to light if the ignition switch is in the run position but the engine is not running.

Either the bulb burnt out (Highly unlikely) or someone has disabled the Check Engine light (more likely).;

That crossed my mind, even if i saw some videos where it wasn't lighting neither.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4BdJQtaQqg
Let's assume it's been disabled (for what reason idk, because the faults are showing with other lights anyways) how to enable it again?


There is the cluster lights test mode, but doesn't seem to light the engine light..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVrXp_RQGk

The diesels don't show any check engine light at start up - I just checked on mine to confirm...

https://youtu.be/06iH4vKc0z4

Do you have EU3 or EU4 version (with or without DPF)?

On my 9/2006 built EU4 version there is battery, oil pressure and check engine light on when ignition is turned on.

Me...? I'm guessing EU3. No DPF...

I think the EU4 version was only available in some parts of Europe. Certainly no EU4 version in Australia, NZ, or the UK (from the sounds of it..).

So i checked the EGR valve, it was pretty clean inside. And this probably because the vacuum hose was disconnected and closed with a screw a while ago.
I plugged it back, cleared the codes and the P0401 didn't came back.

But the "orange triangle circle arrow" light is still in the middle of the dashboard. No error codes readed (tried with CarScanner and Torque lite apps).



What should i conclude from that persistent triangle light?

I would guess the steering angle sensor has faulted. You need to scan with a tool that will read more than the engine codes that you are currently using. INPA, PA Soft 1.4, Foxwell, etc will be the correct tools to use to read the engine AND chassis codes.