Suggest you return to your guy and get him to read the codes, and give you a list of them. That is certain to be cheaper than randomly replacing items that may or may not be the cause. No problem checking around under the hood and looking for loose vacuum lines, etc, but replacing items isn't the same as repairing. Just my $0.02

Thank you, I have a local guy that I work with, together we have been able to locate the little things. The other guy does the big jobs but I think he is stumped. I've decided to wait for the X5 book and do some reading.

Sidmiller please keep me posted. Again this is a great site. It started today witha a slight "stumble" and then ran fine. ??????????

Thanks

SIB
 

Guys I'm sure you've seen this SIB. What are your thoughts?

Thanks

SI B11 08 03
Engine

February 2005
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B11 08 03 dated December 2003.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
Oil Separator - Cold Climate Conditions

MODEL
E39 5 Series, E46 3 Series, and E53 X5 with the M54 Engine

[NEW] SITUATION

Certain areas of the US experience extremely cold climate conditions during the winter months A small number of vehicles in the above series listed have experienced problems ranging from leaking or broken valve covers to complete engine failure.

[NEW] Cause

Moisture accumulating in the engine oil separator, hose to oil dipstick guide tube or the orifice in the dipstick guide tube can freeze. When this occurs, depending on the position of the internal valve, this may either cause high crankcase pressures (stuck closed) resulting in valve cover leakage/breakage or cause an oil hydro-lock condition (stuck open) which could result in engine damage.

[NEW] CORRECTION

In case of a customer complaint, replace the crankcaseventvalve, crankcasevent hose and remove and clean the oil dipstick guide tube orifice.

[NEW] PROCEDURE

Repair/replace all affected components. Access to the oil separator is best achieved by removal of the intake manifold. Refer to Repair Instruction 11 61 050 for details.

1. Replace the oil separator and hoses (1) with the new insulated style (2).

2. The oil separator repair kit fits all the affected models. One additional hose needs to be ordered:

^ (1) E39/E46 PN 11 15 7 532 629

^ (2) 53 PN 11 15 7 532 628

3. Obtain a thin piece of metal measuring approximately:

^ = 2.50 mm

^ = 0.8mm

^ Length = 30 cm

Using a wiper blade metal reinforcement will be sufficient.


4. Remove the oil dipstick guide tube and clean the upper crankcasevent tube orifice using the metal device (1).

Note: The guide tube orifice can be restricted by a build-up of oil, water and ice. Using a brake cleaner solvent will aid in the process.


5. The lower end of the dipstick tube has a double-wall. The outer orifice needs to be cleaned using the metal device (1) as noted above and brake cleaner solvent.

Any update Team? It warmed up enough in New Jersy on Sunday to start the X5 but I now have the SES light and it will not idle. Planning on yet another tow to the shop on Saturday.

Thanks

Well guys here is an update. The following items have been replaced:
Dipstick tube (oil return clog)
Oil Separator/Vacuum Control Vale (internal Diafram torn)
Valvecover breather tube hose (insulated)
Manifold adjust Valve/Disa Valve (just was broken)

Although the temps in New Jersey are about 30, it's been starting and running fine. No temps in the teen's for a real test. Just got it back this weekend. I'll check back at the end of the week.

You have to really keep after them. If you continue to have no joy, I suggest calling BMW Customer Service at 800-831-1117.

I have an 04 545i like delje08 above that has been in the shop for 11 of the 30 weeks since I purchased it (and is still in the shop now - dropped it off Feb 11). I was the one who in essence diagnosed it by finding the N62 intermediate lever SIB posted here.

hi..i just picked up an 04 3.0i on monday and the following day it started to shake like crazy in the morning. It was like 30F here in NJ. The Service engine soon light came on. I took it to denville bmw and they said it was a misfire and took care of it. Light was off and i drove away. following day it started off smooth. Now, no light coming on but started to shake again. I stepped lightly on the gas and suddenly it quiet down. I will call bmw and let them know of this and probably stop by during lunch time since i work next to them. i really hope this is nothing serious..at least they told me before it was not. I guess i'm not the only one after all. I'll also look into all the suggestions that were mentioned in this thread and go from there. Thanks

great thread and very helpful. Subscribed and bump for any updates....

mine just did the same thing E53 2005 4.41
my uncle Who owns a german motors repair shop said its a misfire...off to bmw on monday...will let you know the outcome

This just happened to me, very rough idle and my service engine soon indicator started blinking. WTF??