X5 35D Engine Faults

Good Day Everyone,

I have had an X5 35D since late June. I have been back to the dealer twice with check engine faults related to Air Sensors. One for intake air temp and once for a mass flow sensor. Have these been a common issue?

I will add that it is nice to have the Gopoint App for the Iphone to at least have a rough idea of the check engine light issue is

i do not have a check engine light on but here is the problem since the first 1000 miles.

10-15 seconds after i stop the engine, it starts whinning and making these weird noises.
I never bothered to take it back to dealer to address the issue. Waiting for my service time to come up so they can address the issue.

The sound is like, a little fan constantly running somewhere inside a closed area right above the exhaust manifold or in the area where catalytic converter is located(if the diesel has one).


Anyone out there having a issue or had an issue with something like that? My suspicion is vacuum lines.


I had asked the dealer without a visit over the phone and they said not to worry about it if the check engine light is not on.

The fascinating thing is $60+K car, and still having issues.

my car is a 2011 35D

Originally Posted by zz6938

10-15 seconds after i stop the engine, it starts whinning and making these weird noises.
I never bothered to take it back to dealer to address the issue. Waiting for my service time to come up so they can address the issue.

The sound is like, a little fan constantly running somewhere inside a closed area right above the exhaust manifold or in the area where catalytic converter is located(if the diesel has one).

My "d" did the very same thing.The whirring noise you hear is the fan cooling the anti-freeze.Noises like that are normal.

zz6938,
I have noticed whining or whirring sounds after the car shuts off but have not paid close attention. There are diesel exhaust fluid(DEF) tanks on the vehicle. I wonder if what you are hearing is related to fluid transfer and purging of the lines so they do not freeze in colder climates.
Just a guess but I will pay closer attention when I can listen under the vehicle.

I have been hearing whirring sounds on start-up and shut down. No clue to what it could be.

we have 2 identical X5 diesels, One does the fan /whining noise and the other one is pretty much like quiet exception of normal expected sounds.
I can understand the regular electronic based sounds, cooling down , shutting down some systems and etc.. (that may include the diesel DEF and all that.

I am talking about like a fan sound coming from passenger side engine compartment - around right under the rear edge of the engine cover towards to windshield (not the cooling fan in front of the radiator).

it starts after you shut off the engine and slowly disappears in about 3 or 4 minutes.

FYI, this is not the noise coming from the fuel pump before and after you start and stop the engine. Normally after you stop the engine, there is a consistent static noise which I think coming from the fuel line or something related to that and lasts about 30 -45 seconds. That is normal and not the issue i am addressing here.

I've just got my 4th check engine light in a year. 1st one had something to do with the intercooler and they had it for 2 weeks fixing it. 2nd one was a software update of some kind. 3rd one air temp sensor failure, not sure about this one yet but it's not giving me a lot of confidence in BMW products. Anyone else have 35d's with all these problems? I also have some electrical problem with the rear license plate light - on sometimes, off other times...

This is the most problematic car I've ever owned - do I just have a dog or is everyone else experiencing this too?

We've had a few check engine lights. Also currently telling me that there is a "service due"...even though it has already been in for service...and has been back again since. Already had the software update and is going back for some sensor replacement when I have time. If the service wasn't so amazingly good at Calgary BMW I might be a little more annoyed.

I just assumed that everyone expected this as part of owning "the Ultimate Driving Machine."

Originally Posted by ResidentStrange

I've just got my 4th check engine light in a year. 1st one had something to do with the intercooler and they had it for 2 weeks fixing it. 2nd one was a software update of some kind. 3rd one air temp sensor failure, not sure about this one yet but it's not giving me a lot of confidence in BMW products. Anyone else have 35d's with all these problems? I also have some electrical problem with the rear license plate light - on sometimes, off other times...

This is the most problematic car I've ever owned - do I just have a dog or is everyone else experiencing this too?

Your first THREE visits sound like they were all for the same issue actually!

They had some problems with intercooler air intake plausibility faults...they muddled about for a while, finally figuring out a recall to fix it- so they recoded the DDE and replaced the temp sensor.

Interesting you cite three CELs, with separate visits for each- but no recall visit? Hmmm

Originally Posted by ResidentStrange

I've just got my 4th check engine light in a year. 1st one had something to do with the intercooler and they had it for 2 weeks fixing it. 2nd one was a software update of some kind. 3rd one air temp sensor failure, not sure about this one yet but it's not giving me a lot of confidence in BMW products. Anyone else have 35d's with all these problems? I also have some electrical problem with the rear license plate light - on sometimes, off other times...

This is the most problematic car I've ever owned - do I just have a dog or is everyone else experiencing this too?

I don't know what it is with this oxygen sensor crap but I am about to turn in my current lease a 2008 x5 4.8i and in total I have changed oxygen sensors FIVE times in 3 years. Amazing and troubling.

Just wanted to add if my new 35d has the same issues I am going to give up on BMWs. I mean between the above issues, a complete overhaul of the electrical system, 3 transmission firmware updates (and still not running right in my opinion) a problem with the electronic parking locking up TWICE, and a blown speaker lets just say my patience is ready to overcome my love for these machines. Like i said I hope my new 35d does better.

Originally Posted by windsor027

I don't know what it is with this oxygen sensor crap but I am about to turn in my current lease a 2008 x5 4.8i and in total I have changed oxygen sensors FIVE times in 3 years. Amazing and troubling.

Question: what grade & brand of fuel do you consistently use?

Originally Posted by ResidentStrange

I've just got my 4th check engine light in a year. 1st one had something to do with the intercooler and they had it for 2 weeks fixing it. 2nd one was a software update of some kind. 3rd one air temp sensor failure, not sure about this one yet but it's not giving me a lot of confidence in BMW products. Anyone else have 35d's with all these problems? I also have some electrical problem with the rear license plate light - on sometimes, off other times...

This is the most problematic car I've ever owned - do I just have a dog or is everyone else experiencing this too?

Update - just fixed the charge air sensor for the 5th time - had enough...contacted BMWNA for the lemon law buy back. We'll see how that goes. So far no call back in a week. You'd think they could do some root cause evaluation and stop whatever it is that's causing this after a few years. I've had mine for 2 years now so every 5-6 months I need to get the intercooler sludge cleaned out and sensors replaced (sometimes the EGR, always the air temp sensor).

Originally Posted by ResidentStrange

Update - just fixed the charge air sensor for the 5th time - had enough...contacted BMWNA for the lemon law buy back. We'll see how that goes. So far no call back in a week. You'd think they could do some root cause evaluation and stop whatever it is that's causing this after a few years. I've had mine for 2 years now so every 5-6 months I need to get the intercooler sludge cleaned out and sensors replaced (sometimes the EGR, always the air temp sensor).

I posted my lemon story. http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...5alj98900.html

BMW is trained to deal with verbal complaints and just hold you off...if you have reached the statutory requirements for a lemon in WA, document it and send them a certified letter- they will respond. One thing that DOES take some time is that they need to get your local dealer to say "yes, it is a lemon"..if the dealer is being difficult- (ie they are partially to blame, or they are just being dicks) it may be more of a challenge. Have they already asked that you document your issues and why it is a lemon?

GL

A

Originally Posted by ard

I posted my lemon story. http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...5alj98900.html

BMW is trained to deal with verbal complaints and just hold you off...if you have reached the statutory requirements for a lemon in WA, document it and send them a certified letter- they will respond. One thing that DOES take some time is that they need to get your local dealer to say "yes, it is a lemon"..if the dealer is being difficult- (ie they are partially to blame, or they are just being dicks) it may be more of a challenge. Have they already asked that you document your issues and why it is a lemon?

GL

A

At pickup of this 5th fix the dealer (service advisor) told me to call BMWNA when I told him I wanted to pursue a lemon law buyback. On the 4th fix I told them that was the last shot at this and it better work - so they had the regional eng and BMWNA weigh in and did their best...didn't work obviously. Called BMWNA told me they'd need 3-5 days....after 5 days...silence...so I called on day 5 and they wanted 3-5 more days so I mailed them certified mail per the WA lemon law requirements. I had thought BMW would be cooperative to resolve this without putting the screws to them...maybe not.

I would not be surprised if the dealer was being difficult but I haven't heard anything so don't know. They haven't asked me to document anything - the dealer told me they all have all the records (but I do as well). Told them I want the buy back as I don't have confidence that this won't happen with the next one. Dealer's 80 miles from my house so frequent trips are a royal pain and with the loaner every time....2 trips so 320 miles of driving...not acceptable.

Originally Posted by ResidentStrange

At pickup of this 5th fix the dealer (service advisor) told me to call BMWNA when I told him I wanted to pursue a lemon law buyback. . . . Dealer's 80 miles from my house so frequent trips are a royal pain and with the loaner every time....2 trips so 320 miles of driving...not acceptable.

Curiosity question - does the lemon law/buy back have to go through the dealer you bought the car from, or can it go through the nearest BMW dealer? What happens if you move and the dealer is now a plane ride away?

Reason for asking - for my last two vehicle purchase I PDF the exact options I want, indicate the MSRP and invoice price for that particular vehicle, indicate the price I am will to pay (invoice price + $XX). I send an email to about five dealers and see what happens. Most of the time the large volume dealer will bite - reason - even if he doesn't make much money on this particular sale, it helps to keep the sales volume high and that has positive repercussions for the dealer. For me, it saves the trouble of listening to an ill-informed sales guy telling me things that I know are not true! But it also means I picked up my X5d nearly 400 miles from where I live! Service was never an issue - a good sales experience does not necessarily translate to good service experience - I find the largest volume dealer in my area and use them for service - logic - even if the techs are not particularly sharp, sheer practice will "hopefully" make them reasonably good!

You were right on about verbal vs written....as soon as they got my letter I was "escalated" to someone who would really do something. Now they're working on it - before was pretty much lip service as you noted.

@sbbx5d: In every German car I've owned (Porsche, Audi, MB and BMW), sensors are always an Achilles heal. There are just so darned many of them! Wish I had $100 for every throttle position sensor, steering wheel position sensor, intake temp sensor and MAF (mass air flow) sensor I've replaced over the past 20 years. I don't know if American, Japanese and Korean cars have similar issues, but it is definitely not unique to BMW.

@zz6938: Why do you assume you have a "problem"? There are lots of completely normal fan and relay noises after shut down in every BMW. E.g. the climate control system shutting the vents some 15 to 30 seconds after you power down the car. Happened with my E60, all 3 E70's and my E93. On the X5D, there is probably also a pump that circulates coolant around the turbocharger until the temp drops to a certain level - don't know this for a fact, but I strongly suspect there is.

@Cdnrockies: Sounds like your dealer is forgetting to reset the service interval in your iDrive. Not that uncommon. If you're otherwise happy with the service experience, I would look at it as a minor annoyance - unless they've changed things in the 2011's, it's very easy to go into iDrive yourself and reset.

1. Why change oxygen sensors FIVE times in THREE years? Does not make sense.

2. early X5s are known to have tranny issues....

3. Hope you have better luck with your diesel. Mine had some of the issues the OP had. BUT.... I was meticulous in managing the service process (admittedly you should not have to) and pressed them to deal with the issue compeltely and thoroughly- in fact I suspect my car and the PUMA case was part of the 'evidence' that was used to decide on the subsequent recall/correction they had to do.

Enjoy

A

ARD the issue here is you are paying for a 60K vehicle and in 3 years you have it in the shop over 10 times. That is just not right for a company like BMW. Yes they have a great loaner program and yes they bring the car to my house to pickup but there are certain expectations I have from my money and IMO BMW has fallen short with my latest car. So I am giving them my business one more time but that it.

Wait! Your dealer drops off your loaner at your door and picks up your truck for service? Who are you using? BMW of Alexandria?

Originally Posted by pod13

Wait! Your dealer drops off your loaner at your door and picks up your truck for service? Who are you using? BMW of Alexandria?

no Passport BMW in Md.

Question: what grade & brand of fuel do you consistently use

93 octane usually ExxonMobil

The 'issue' for me is how one has FOUR oxygen sensors in 3 years and then bring it back and get told "Oxygen sensor again"...and swallow that.

Look in an ideal world you pay your money and get concierge service... but when that doesn't happen do you just change hotels hoping to find better? OR do you demand the service you've paid for?

Look, it is just a car- just money- so no big deal....but do people have the same sort of response when they get bad medical advice? Or legal advice?

One last thought-You let them drive the car to and fro? You do understand that if there is an accident it is YOUR insurance that is on the hook, right?

A

PS ard, not ARD. They are not initials either.

Originally Posted by ard

The 'issue' for me is how one has FOUR oxygen sensors in 3 years and then bring it back and get told "Oxygen sensor again"...and swallow that.

Look in an ideal world you pay your money and get concierge service... but when that doesn't happen do you just change hotels hoping to find better? OR do you demand the service you've paid for?

Look, it is just a car- just money- so no big deal....but do people have the same sort of response when they get bad medical advice? Or legal advice?

One last thought-You let them drive the car to and fro? You do understand that if there is an accident it is YOUR insurance that is on the hook, right?

A

PS ard, not ARD. They are not initials either.

the issue for me is I have had way too many problems with this car and since I have been a BMW owner for over 15 years now this was a HUGE surprise to me. In addition I do expect the service to be above what you get in a honda dealership since i am paying a lot of money for the vehicle. Let me ask you something. if you get bad medical advice to you keep going back to the same doctor? You do if you had a history and he/she made one mistake. but two mistakes? Nope I will go to someone else. Thus with BMW. If I have similar problems with the 35d BMW will lose my business, at least for a while.

As for your last point, I don't have time to take the car to the dealer, especially with all the issues I have had so yes its very nice that they can pickup and drop off a loaner. And if there is an accident thats why you have insurance in the first place.

Originally Posted by windsor027

As for your last point, I don't have time to take the car to the dealer, especially with all the issues I have had so yes its very nice that they can pickup and drop off a loaner. And if there is an accident thats why you have insurance in the first place.

+1. While I never let the dealership's valets drive my M3, it's much more convenient to have them come to the house or the office when the X5's need service.

At the end of the day, the X5 is just a car, not a priceless, irreplaceable piece of art.

I have 12,000 miles on my 2010 X5 35D and I have never had a check engine light.

Chuck