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

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

@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.

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.

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?

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 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?

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

Chuck

My 2011 has 5000 miles and I've had 2 system faults, and one prolonged Check Engine light.

The Check Engine light set some codes - basically saying there was a communication fault. BMW (and BMWUSA) could reproduce nor find nothing, so I'm waiting for it to leave me stranded at some point.

-- Lee

Originally Posted by ChuckGr

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

Chuck

Hurray for you!

I just threw my 4 or 5th light this morning. Could be related to the ERG valve that is getting replaced next week?...or it could be tied into the -26 C weather last night.

Either way, I'll see next week when it gets worked on.

The reliability of these vehicles is pathetic. I've been back for DEF Issues, Air Sensor, Nav System Problems, Battery/Electrical Issues, EGR Leakage, Induction Problems. I like the vehicle, but I've spent the last 2 years making regular trips back to the dealer. Many of my problems took 2 trips back to the dealer to fix properly. Dealer treats me good though. For one of my loaner cars I got a 335d. That little car is a monster. The extra weight of the X5 35d really dampens the performance. Not complaining as the 35d has plenty of power on tap regardless.

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

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.

Is anyone not having these sorts of problems? I was thinking about getting a 35d for my wife, but we are coming off an Audi A4 that was a code throwing machine, and I am not up for a repeat performance. Anyone with an encouraging 35d experience?

Originally Posted by 997 Dude

Is anyone not having these sorts of problems? I was thinking about getting a 35d for my wife, but we are coming off an Audi A4 that was a code throwing machine, and I am not up for a repeat performance. Anyone with an encouraging 35d experience?

Many diesel owners are happy including myself. Over a year and $15K miles. Great driving performance and highly efficient engine. Has been very reliable. Only been to the dealer a couple of times including the scheduled maintenance at 10k miles. Do a forum search...

This is my first BMW, 7 months and 11500 miles on it. Never had a problem, got the first service done last week. The least temp I've faced is -7, day before yesterday.