You missed my attempt at humor.

;)

Well, there's a fellow selling an Autologic for $8,000 on eBay right now with BMW software. (Keep in mind that these are $36,000+ new). A good smoke machine could easily be over $1,000. A Snap-on smoke machine could range from $1,400 to $2,800:

https://store.snapon.com/Portable-Di...e-P649991.aspx

There are plans on the net to construct a cheap home made smoke machine, and you could also search YouTube for instructions on how to use a cigar....but a good technician has a massive investment in tools to help figure out what's wrong with your car.

Makes $100 or $200 diagnostic fee seem like a bargain.

Absolutely.

The sad truth, however, is that many if not most shops will simply pull codes, and make a BEST GUESS. Toss out an estimate. It is only AFTER you accept the $1300 estimate that they REALLY get down to it...at which point it is either:

1. They got it right- it is a 300 part, one hour labor for 1300.
2. "oh, it is actually something else, not what we thought" (maybe less expensive? haha)
3. "Oh along with bad X, we also found a bad Y, pay us extra"

Anyone that you can pay a shop for a diagnosis, who will then find the ONE bad part, and give youthe car back.... then you will buy that part, and you replace that part, really MUST understand the risks in these diagnoses.

An evap leak is many times a process, not a part. You look until you find a leak, then look somemore- and hope you got them all...

IMO

Well, it's important to have a shop that is trustworthy, and that is intelligent enough to properly diagnose a problem, and not just throw parts at it. Luckily, I've got a great shop near me that can handle anything in any BMW, Mercedes, Porsche or Audi.

That's exactly the sort of scene I'm hoping to avoid. Finding a shop you can trust to simply do a reliable but inexpensive diagnosis is about as easy around here as finding a tomcat in a vacuum cleaner testing center. Sure, I understand it's more professional to test and identify the exact part before replacing anything, but like it or no, it is not always the most efficient approach -- particularly for the DIY'er. So many times I have been fortunate enough to have someone on the forum tell me which hose, etc., is the most common culprit, and indeed, it was my exact problem. Sure beats leaving my car in a shop for a week, getting all kinds of black grease all over the carpet, being told it will be ready tomorrow for 4 days in a row, and getting my wallet sucked dry for that $1300 for the $300 part.

What are the chances of me finding this thread the very day I got a P0442? I've had the truck about a month and a half and noticed a strong gas oder a couple of times right after filling up, and now the code. I paid a lot for a used car warranty and will be taking advantage of it. Also, for the first time since my purchase I've had to use the AC and it doesn't blow cold.

I've lived with an E53 for 4 years, which is why I sprang for the warranty. It is refundable on a pro-rated basis up to 6 months from the date of sale. Will see how it goes...

Actually i did a few hour later ;) With all the projects going around my brain runs at limp mode more often :yikes:

Imalabil, what year X5 do you have? And do you have the 3.0? Sounds like you have all the same symptoms I have (and possibly even an AC issue, although I can't be sure yet). If you are taking in for warranty repair can you find out exactly what they find out and post here? That would give me a great place to start! :thumbup:

When will you be taking it in?

Will do. Mine is a 2009 30i.

Perfect! Same as mine, thanks. So I assume you are taking yours in this week?