Plan to change the oil separator, how much is it
 

I'm contemplating about changing my 06 E53 4.4i's oil separator. After reading a lot of information on this forum, I suspect the misfiring and shaking during a cold start in the morning might be due to a faulty oil separator. This problem only occurs when I park the car outside and when the ambient temp drops to near 32. I would like some input on where to have the job done.

Is it a very complicated or BMW X5 specific job that must be done by the dealer? I think the dealer will probably charge about $1500 for the job, while some other reputable shop in my neighborhood might only charge a few hundred. Had anybody had the job done by a non-bmw repairshop? How much do they charge for the job(including the material)?

thanks.

It'll cost you about 600 at a local shop..BUT, make sure they are familiar with BMW's and Euro cars...Don't take it just to anywhere.. Also, check your oil cap and see if there is any pasty goo on it.. That's also a good indicator that your oil seperator is not working properly because of too much built up condensation.

Spoke to my mechanic and his 2009 X5 does the same thing man. Its just the way these X5's are built. They dont like cold start ups. Mine does the same thing. Acts like a deisel truck and check engine light flashes as soon as I shut the car off and turn it back on its fine. I would worry to much about it

Thanks!
so if I don't do anything about it, other than the CES lights it won't do something to really harm the engine?
Nowadays I always park my car inside a garage. However sometimes I need to stay over in Queens NY, where the garages are expensive and I have to park the car on the street. So the next morning could be a pain. I have to start the car, wait about 1 minute when the car shakes quite a bit, then shut it off and restart it,then everything's ok. It's hard to believe this is a luxury car.

I know I have the exact same symtoms man. I feel your pain. It sounds so rough but as soon as I shut mine off and on its all good. I totally trust my mechanic he is not only my mechanic but I see him like a family member and his wife words for BMW and this is common with the X5 in cold temps. If you start noticing anything worse them what your getting then yeah get it checked other then that is all good. I went from a E36 M3 supercharged to the X5 and man its a totally different ball game. X5 is way more complex but hey I still love it and look back every time I arm the alarm and grin !!

Cheers

have the 06 x5 4.4 in for the same reason. check out my thread

you can do the repair yourself. It will cost a few bucks for the parts and about 4 hours of labor. Not as complicated as you think. My dealer wanted to charge me 1300 and 8 hours labor, so i did it myself on my 2000 4.4

hey, can you elaborate on the "goo", i opened my oil tank to top it off a bit the other day and saw a YELLOWISH GOO sitting on the top of the oil cap. have had these cold startup issues once a month as well...please give me more info thanks

Use the search tool. You will find more information on that Goo than you want to know.

Thanks ill search bit what terms do I use? Just "goo"? Or a more appropriate one?

I've owned this car for 8 months and feel like they are better leased than owned