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-   -   35d worsening gas mileage - solved- thermostat/fan/EGR cooler - DIY with pics (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e70-forum/99416-35d-worsening-gas-mileage-solved-thermostat-fan-egr-cooler-diy-pics.html)

sgrice 01-04-2015 04:17 PM

35d worsening gas mileage - solved- thermostat/fan/EGR cooler - DIY with pics
 
8 Attachment(s)
I have a 2010 e70 35d with about 79,000 miles. Over the past 6 months or so I've noticed a drop in highway mpg from 31-32 to approx 25-26. After checking out a number of forum discussions (particularly bimmerfest and some European 335d forums), I thought possibly my thermostat was malfunctioning, with resultant low engine temps. Apparently, a low engine temperature can cause a number of issues - poor engine efficiency, plus some say the glow plugs stay on for temps <75 deg cent (may cause eventual early demise of glow plugs), and numerous people say the diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration mode requires a temp of 75-80 deg cent. So a low engine temperature for the diesels may cause poor mpg, burn out of glow plugs, and DPF malfunction.

This link on bimmerfest gives an excellent overview of the issue. As said by lpcapital in post #5:

"While on a gasoline car if the engine temperature is a 10 or so degrees lower than optimal nothing major happens, the same is not true with our cars where the regeneration of the DPF occurs only if the coolant temperature is at a particular level, which appears to be 75C. There are plenty of reports of aged thermostats that keep the engine in the low 70s when cruising on freeways. Since the coolant temperature is below the threshold, the DPF doesn't regenerate, it clogs and people lose their mind figuring out what's wrong and start spending thousands to replace DPF and adding washes, remove the DPF all together."

So I utilized the "hidden menu" as discussed in post #17 of the above link to check my operating temp. My temp (like many in other forum postings) was 72-73, and never over 75. BTW, post #17 talks about accessing the hidden menu with the ignition on, but engine off. If you do this, there is obviously no way to monitor coolant temperature while driving. No worries, though, you can access the hidden menu in the same way, but with the engine running. So start the car, idle in the driveway, and have a button pushing frenzy as described in post #17.

The forums I've read express some uncertainty about what the operating temp is supposed to be, but (spoiler alert!) after getting to my thermostat it turns out that "88C" is clearly printed on the thermostat:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420410407

And after I replaced the thermostat, my new operating temp was 85-86 deg, and mpg was back to 31-32 on the highway. So I'm pretty pleased. Here is a DIY for this job.

To begin with, you'll need the usual assortment of sockets, including torx sockets, e-torx sockets, and socket extensions (it will be critical to have a roughly 7-8 inch reach from tip of a t-45 socket to end of socket extension(s) to get to the exhaust gas recirculator (EGR) cooler flange bolts). A mirror was a huge help in seeing back into the "guts" of the engine/EGR cooler interface. In addition, I highly recommend a "tight reach ratchet" to get to many of the bolts in tight spaces. [Edit on 12/18/16 - see post #180 - Andras comments that the tight reach ratchet is not absolutely necessary. I agree. I have since realized that if one removes the fan/shroud before removing the air ducts, then there is a lot more room to get to the air duct clamp bolts and the tight reach ratchet is not essential. But still, it's kind of a cool tool and might be nice to have in your box.] Here's a picture of the tight reach getting to a difficult to access clamp bolt - as viewed from the top:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420410407

And here's a view of it down in the deep:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420410407

There are a lot of connections, so I used bits of blue painter's tape as tags to mark every hose/electrical connector I took apart - that way I made sure I didn't forget to hook something back up. A very short (!) summary of the process is in post #15 of the above bimmerfest link. Understand that you'll need to remove the air ducts (both pre and post MAF), remove the engine cross bar, disconnect coolant hoses, remove the fan/fan shroud, remove EGR cooler (IMO this is the tough part), and now you've got access to the thermostat. It took me a little over 6 hours, though I was moving slowly so as not to make a mistake. Some more details:

Start by removing the engine cross bar, and then disconnect the cable (?others have said this is hood release cable, but I don't know for sure?) that is attached to it. There is an electrical connection bracket attached to the cross bar - this needs to come off too.

The bottom plastic skid plate needs to come off, otherwise the drained radiator fluid will splash (more) and make an even bigger mess.

Next, begin draining most of the radiator. I couldn't find a drain bolt for the radiator, and ended up disconnecting various hoses at various times. I had a scavenger bucket, but (as noted above) still probably 25% went on the floor. Have a bunch of towels around to clean up the mess. **Edit 12/18/16 - see post #180 where Andras describes which radiator hose to disconnect which allows fluid drainage with minimal spilling/mess.**

Removing air ducts pre and post intake muffler/MAF - see the Realoem link (below) to see what I'm talking about.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/l/q/264.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_3w9m.jpg

You'll want the tight reach ratchet to get to some of these duct clamp bolts. *Edit 12/18/16 - As noted above, in post #180 Andras points out the tight reach is not absolutely necessary. If you remove the fan/shroud before working on the duct clamp bolts then you can get by without it. Your choice.* The intake muffler (#1 in this link - see below) is removed by giving a good upward tug on the "legs" and main body of the intake muffler.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/d/z/250.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_3j3x.jpg

Remove fan/shroud: Remove the electrical connection on passenger side. Also remove the bracket (part 18 in below diagram - held on with a torx bolt) that holds the air hose coming from the intercooler to the throttle/EGR valve on the driver's side (the air hose I'm talking about is part #12 in this link - see below). Also, disconnect this air hose (and it's electrical connection) from the throttle body so it can be pushed out of the way so the fan/shroud can come out. ***Edit December 2016 - check out this link for a great DIY on bimmerfest that provides a lot of detail and pictures for removing the fan. The link is for a DIY on idler pulley belt tensioner, but there is a detailed description for removing the fan.***

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/t/e/364.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_5dkj.jpg


Also remove the main coolant hose that enters the top of the radiator on the driver's side (part #1 in this link - see below).

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/q/272.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_3wpq.png

Now you should be able to lift the fan/shroud out without obstructions. There are two flanges/flaps/tabs (one on driver's side and one on passenger side) about six to eight inches down on either side that slide into slots to keep the fan and shroud in position. Use a screwdriver to press the flange in, and then you can lift the fan/shroud up a couple of inches. Once it's been lifted a few inches, be aware that the flange/flap/tab on the driver's side is hinged, and needs to be flipped inward (photos below will hopefully make this clear) to clear obstructions and allow the fan to be lifted out. Here is an overview pic of the fan/shroud with an arrow pointing to the "flippable flap" -


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420410407

Here is another up close pic - the "flippable flap" (red arrow) has now been flipped open. The yellow arrow shows the slot mechanism that helps keep the bracket for the charge air hose leading to the throttle (noted above) in position.


http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420410407


Removal of the EGR cooler. The EGR cooler sits above the thermostat. The EGR cooler can be seen in this RealOEM link. See below - it is what hoses 6 and 7 connect to.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/t/w/274.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_3y3a.jpg

For another view, it is the big shiny rectangular metal object in the center of this pic:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420396725

Undo the various electrical connections, the radiator hoses (6 and 7 as noted in the RealOEM link above), and the circumferential clamp (red arrow in photo above) that connects the cooler to the EGR valve. There was another connection (yellow arrow) that leads to a particularly difficult (for me, at least) electrical connection on the EGR valve. This electrical connection is shown in the next photo:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420399274

I expected this electrical connection to easily come apart when the white tab was snapped back. However, I couldn't get it to come apart. Eventually, I was able to get it apart by slipping a very small flat screwdriver blade between the two connection parts as shown in the photo above. Then it disconnected easily. Not sure if I was doing something wrong, but I couldn't get it apart any other way (edit point: be aware the photo above was taken after completion of this job in order to document this (for me) difficult electrical connection. When I was actually doing the job the black plastic "leg" of the intake muffler that is obscuring the view of the screwdriver in the photo had been removed). Edit 4/21/2016 - See post #159 for great information from Shaman on how to remove this connector - it involves sliding the white tab back, then pinching/compressing it to release the locking tab.

Disregarding electrical/vacuum connections, the EGR cooler is held in place by a total of five connection points - the circumferential clamp discussed above, two mounting bolts (easy to see), and by two flange bolts that are hidden underneath (and to the side of) the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is the large silver circular object sitting above the EGR cooler in the photo above. The two EGR cooler flange bolts were/are the tough part, IMO. I could barely see the top flange bolt by peering in between various vacuum hoses and electrical cables. The only way I could see the bottom flange bolt was with a mirror. The flange bolts are T45. You'll need an extension set that measures roughly 7-8 inches from the tip of the torx socket to the end of the extension set. I could see enough to get the socket into the top bolt, but had to use a mirror and "memory braille" to get into the bottom bolt. Here is an overview picture of the socket/extension/wrench on one of the bolts:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420402028


And here is a picture taken that (I hope) demonstrates using the mirror to confirm visualization of the proper placement of the socket on the top flange bolt.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420402200

The camera is pointed toward the front of the car, so the reflection in the mirror is toward the rear of the car. The red arrow shows the socket in place on the top flange bolt.

I undid the flange bolts first, then the mounting bolts. The flange bolts stayed in place on the flange as the EGR cooler was removed. I was terribly afraid that once loosened I would drop the flange bolts deep into the engine compartment - never to be found again. So I stuffed a rag under the flange area (poked it into position with a screwdriver) so that if they fell they would be saved by the rag rather than drop down into the abyss.

At this point, I was able to easily lift the EGR cooler out of the way and place it on top of the engine. With the EGR cooler out of the way, the thermostat replacement was straightforward - 2 hoses and 4 bolts (though the rigid water pipe on the driver's side of the thermostat [part #1 on this link from RealOEM - see below] has a positioning bolt (I think it's part #3) that needed to be removed to allow thermostat removal).

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/t/w/274.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_3y3a.jpg

Here is a picture with the thermostat out and the EGR cooler sitting on top of the engine:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420402522

The single red arrow shows where the thermostat was removed. The double red arrows point to where the mounting bolts go. The EGR flange that accepts the flange bolts I discussed at length above is shown by the yellow arrow. The green arrow leads to the difficult electrical connection I talked about earlier.

Putting back together was not too bad, with a couple of caveats:

1) A lot of connections. Again, I recommend tagging things with tape so you make sure you don't miss something.

2) The EGR cooler flange bolts (again!). You can't reach the flange with your fingers to start the bolts. The bolts have to be attached to the 7-8 inch extension and then carefully (memory braille on the bottom bolt, again) put into position. I didn't want to drop the bolts, so had a cloth in position under the flange to catch a potentially dropped bolt. In addition, I stuck some blue painter's tape on the end of the T45 socket (adhesive toward the socket) and then pressed the bolt onto the socket. The tape gave enough friction so that the bolt was held on quite securely. Here is a pic of what I'm talking about - here I have an e-torx socket attached to the torx socket instead of the bolt, but hopefully you understand:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1420397578

The EGR cooler flange bolts are not magnetic, so a magnet would be no help in retrieving a dropped bolt.
(edit point added) - Also, see ZetaTre post # 14 on this posting for one suggested way of tightening the various EGR connection bolts. Also, ninja zx11 has a posting (link is here) which includes a detailed description of the order in which to tighten bolts, and the torque settings.

3)When you put the fan/shroud back in place, be aware there are tabs at the bottom of the shroud that fit into slots near the bottom of the radiator. The diagram (RealOEM link is here) below has the number 4 pointing to one of the bottom tabs of the shroud. In case you're wondering why you can't see any tabs on the top of the shroud, that is because the top of the shroud has slots (rather than tabs). So (not counting the charge air hose bracket) the fan/shroud has a total of 6 connection points - 2 slots/tabs on the bottom, 2 flaps that clip in on the sides (driver's side has the "flippable flap"mentioned above), and 2 smaller slots/tabs on the top).

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/v/n/247.png http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_3mz6.jpg


As I said, it took me about 6-7 hours, but I was going really slowly. Overall difficulty - I'd rate it as about a 6 on 1-10 scale.

Even though the ultimate goal is a thermostat change, the difficult parts were getting the fan/shroud out, and the EGR cooler out.

As I said, my mileage has improved, and hopefully I've saved my glow plugs and DPF!

Hope the above is helpful.

Stephen
1998 ML 320 - now driven by son #1
2005 e53 3.0 - now driven by son #2
2008 ML320 CDI - now driven by wife
2010 e70 35d - now driven by me

sgrice 01-04-2015 06:37 PM

Extra pics for above initial post
 
5 Attachment(s)
Above post edited for clarity and photos.




https://www.dropbox.com/s/eo7bksx4v5...ostat.jpg?dl=0http://www.xoutpost.com/data:image/p...AASUVORK5CYII=

scollins 01-04-2015 07:22 PM

Thanks for the write up! We've got a 2010 35d too with about 72,000 miles. Sad that these things can't even make 100k miles without needing some repairs on parts that should realistically last much longer.

ninja_zx11 01-04-2015 11:38 PM

Nice writeup and thanks for sharing the pictures....
I am also in the process of changing the thermostat too on my 2009 x5 35d with 88000kms.Mine temp stays 73~76 which is not normal operating temp.

Just a side note:I have monitored my DPF regens with BMWHAT app and actually it starts as soon as the engine coolant temp reaches 60 deg. Celsius.But i am not sure about glow plugs remain activated until 75 deg Celsius.But all the documents i read from BMW itself were saying min 75 deg Celsius for DPF regen.I think they changed it to 60 deg later DDE software updates.Mine DDE was last updated in 2012.My bmwhat log is located here:

Bmwhat's app log while regenerating .

ard 01-05-2015 11:03 PM

Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

(Why is BMW so challenged with thermostats???)

motordavid 01-06-2015 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scollins (Post 1022466)
Thanks for the write up! We've got a 2010 35d too with about 72,000 miles. Sad that these things can't even make 100k miles without needing some repairs on parts that should realistically last much longer.

+1...as I mentioned in the other 'Diesel Thread', my curiosity on a diesel as a potential replacement for our 13+ yr old E53 is the reason for my interest in these kinds of threads.

I fully realize all cars are mechanical and things break/wear out but some of these stories on the diesels make me wonder how BMW sourced parts and components that seem to fail so early in the life cycle.

The ~$7000 'particulate filter 'job quoted in another thread is another example.

I understand the anecdotal nature of 'this needs repair' or 'that part needs fixing', and that many of us have gotten ~100k miles or more out of their Xs, but most of those stories seem to be from the E53 models vs the newer E70s.

Regardless of how exciting or cool or fun these cars are, (BMWs in general), most/all of the engine, trans and running gear parts/systems should perform for ~100k miles, imo. Maintenance items I get; 'standard' components & systems that seem to last longer on many other species of cars, don't 'seem to' on these babies.

It is almost as if the 4yr/50k mile deal is the 'happy time' and then the poor next owner, or even orig owner is just waiting for the shoe to drop...

I love our '01 E53, and I have been very lucky over the years. But, the stories and my own sense of pessimism give me pause on my own car, as do they diesel stories, in considering a new X, gas or diesel.
GL, mD

PS: Helluva write up by sgrice, by the way. :thumbup:

ZetaTre 01-06-2015 04:51 PM

Good job!!!! [I'm lpcapital elsewhere, so thanks for the quote]

I've been there and done that.

As I stated elsewhere this whole thing started after my dad has been battling with failed glowplugs and clogged DPF. The root cause of it all was the engine not maintaining normal operating temperature (defined as >75C) resulting in running in warmup mode (i.e. overfueling and glow plugs under light to medium load) and failing to carry out regular DPF regen. Restarting the regen was a bit more tricky since it required fooling the DDE in reading lower backpressure which we resolved using the hose with a slit.

In the midst of all that I check the coolant temperature in my 35d and noticed like you did that it was getting too low while coasting or under light load. Like you observed engine temperature became much more constant after replacing it.

My recommendation would have been to also replace the thermostat on the transmission heat exchanger, just because BMW has challenges with thermostats, you are already draining the system and it's cheap.

The other recommendation would be to put some anti-seize compound (the same used on spark plugs) on the flange bolts. The are high carbon steel bolts going into cast iron so they seize up like crazy and may make you think they are tight when they are only struggling through.

Last but not least, have you gotten the bracket installed under the EGR valve (I can't seem to see it from the pix you posted): if not call your local dealer, tell them to run your VIN to check for any open campaign. The bracket support the EGR and reduces the risk of breaking around the flex joint. Here's the link to the bulletin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mDX...ew?usp=sharing

sgrice 01-07-2015 05:44 PM

scollins - I'd be really curious to know what what your operating coolant temp is. Check out the "hidden menu" discussed above, and you can monitor your coolant temp in real time. If it's in the 73-75 degree range, then I bet you could improve your gas mileage (and maybe preserve your DPF and glow plugs) with a thermostat change. But I do agree with you and ard that one would think the thermostat should last longer (though if it's going to fail, I'm glad it seems to fail open rather than closed).

motordavid - Glad you've been so happy with your e53. I was very happy with mine, hence my subsequently getting the e70. I share some of your frustrations, but overall I think the e70 mechanical experience has been pretty similar to the e53. The e53 that is now driven by one of my sons has roughly 125,000 miles. I had essentially no issues until around 90,000 miles. Then I had what I believe are the usual issues of a "middle aged car" - valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, CCV system (kudos to the Bavauto video on Youtube for that repair), both front control arm bushings, both front CV boots (ditto kudos to the "30 minute CV boot repair" guide on this forum), belt tensioner, idler pulley, and some leaking transmission cooler and power steering hoses. In addition, replaced the thermostat, water pump, and expansion tank as a precaution after hearing about a number of problems from others. With the e70 35d, the only issue I've had (other than the thermostat issue discussed now) has been leaky gaskets on the red charge air hose leading to the intercooler. So I don't think I have too much to complain about for nearly 80,000 miles. Hope I didn't just jinx myself.

ZetaTre - Good to have you chime in, and thanks for all your prior posts. As I stated, some of your posts are what led me to this solution. I saw that you had recommended the transmission thermostat as part of the repair job, but I must confess I just let that sleeping dog lie. I felt that I had enough on my hands as it was. Hope I don't regret it. Great information about the service bulletin on the EGR bracket!! I had no idea, and the work has not been done to my car (since being out of warranty I've done my own maintenance, so it hasn't been in the dealership for awhile). But now I have an appointment for next week to get the bracket put on. Thanks again - you may have saved me from one of the leaking EGR coolers I've read about! I'm a little confused about what you meant by anti-size on high carbon steel flange bolts. What I referred to in my post as "flange bolts" are the part #6 torx bolts in the the diagram below that connect the flange on the semi-flexible hose end of the EGR cooler. These T45 torx bolts are not magnetic. I assume you are talking about the 13 (or 14?) mm hex bolts (part #4) that I referred to as "mounting bolts". Those are magnetic. Anyway, I didn't put any anti-seize on them, but I will when I next do some work in this area!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/j/n/284.png




In addition, I've followed your oil catch can efforts with admiration. Are you happy with your current system, or are you in the midst of another iteration?

Thanks again for the heads up about the mounting bracket service bulletin.

ZetaTre 01-07-2015 06:50 PM

I was referring to the #6 bolts: they bolt into the exhaust manifold which is cast iron. I said before they are made of high carbon steel which is probably incorrect since they are not magnetic. In either case I've put the antiseize compound on them because as I was turning them I noticed they were seizing very easily. I was going to put some grease on them, but the being exhaust it would have burnt off right away.

About the oil separator I'll update that thread next so we keep this conversation on topic.

bawareca 01-07-2015 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZetaTre (Post 1022686)
Good job!!!! [I'm lpcapital elsewhere, so thanks for the quote]

Last but not least, have you gotten the bracket installed under the EGR valve (I can't seem to see it from the pix you posted): if not call your local dealer, tell them to run your VIN to check for any open campaign. The bracket support the EGR and reduces the risk of breaking around the flex joint. Here's the link to the bulletin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mDX...ew?usp=sharing

I was thinking to install this bracket,but looks like after instalation the lower(intake) pipe of the EGR starts to break,with very bad effects.In more than a few cases the exhaust gasses escaping from a crack on the bottom pipe burn through the plastic T-stat housing.


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