Here we go - Engine malfunction: Reduced Power

Originally Posted by ard

no codes?

Papers are at home, but IIRC, its cylinders 2 & 3 misfire.

Originally Posted by patrnflyr

We had this happen with our 7 and after many times of the engine going into "drivetrain malfunction" and replacement of injectors, BMW stood behind their product and made it right. We got the line of bad fuel also, but we ONLY use Shell premium. I honestly think BMW got the short end of the stick with a bunch of faulty fuel injector systems from a subcontractor and is getting jacked around too. I'm sure they're not happy either. They'll get to the bottom of this...

That's good to hear. As much as changing the cars opens up possibility of adding some options that I had time to think about I like this car a lot too - so I will be happy either way.

Who would have guessed - took the car for a drive past weekend and 20 minutes later - boom, same Engine malfunction error. I don't know how they were test driving it for a week without getting the error, but this time I will request that I test drive it with their tech inside the car once they hook up all the computers to it. Back to the dealer tomorrow.

Don't you think it is issue with "real" test driver here
May be BMW should hire you for final Engine sign0ff...
Kidding..

Originally Posted by ard

I'll post here as starting a new thread is a poor idea....

Be VERY careful about "bad fuel"...this is BMW setting you up to take the fall, financially. I would fight them hard if they ever bring that up, and mst importantly if they ever put it in writing. Do you use a credit card for all your fuel purchases? (I think I could prove to them every tank of fuel I purchase came from Chevron, 76 or shell). BMW seems to believe that 'amerian fuel is bad', or maybe they hide behind it...but interestingly, they have a legal obligation to ensure that the cars they sell in america can run on the fuel that is sold in america. Just saying.

Something is wrong with THIS motor, otherwise they'd all be doing this.

A

I totally agree about the "bad fuel" run around. That is total BS that would p*ss me off for sure.

For the record, I recently went through a series of 3 engine malfunction low power warnings on my '11 X5 50i. One happened just as they started it to bring it up to me after a routine visit for state inspection. They wouldn't give it to me and kept it for 3 days. Replaced an injector. Happened again and they said it was another injector. Third time in the span of 3 months and this time they said that some hoses were worn out and had collapsed. All of this in only 23K miles over 25 months.

I certainly love driving it when it's working, but this thread is making me think twice about what's going on here. Obviously they don't know the solution yet and the same issue sounds like it's showing up on both the 35i and 50i engines.

The only upside is that I've had the chance to test drive nearly every model in the lineup. Wondering if I will go this route again next June when the lease it up.

Has anyone sent this thread to BMW customer service?? Is that something that they would respond to or want to see? Assuming they don't read this.

Good point on the fuel, thanks for the info. They are not insisting on it, and actually the first time mentioned that could be just a possibility, which is feasible, and replaced spark plugs, just in case, as there were carbon deposits. At this time they recognize the issue is somewhere else, so we will see. This makes me think about diesel if I end up changing the car, but that is a whole other discussion Another thing that bothers me is that the SA did say they had to open a PUMA case which usually means that some expensive and unusual repairs are involved that require BMW authorisation, yet nothing other than moving injectors around and driving the car is reported. I will talk to the SA when I bring the car in and request all the paperwork I can get on it...

Has anyone heard of this same issue on the X5M?

Originally Posted by bxmxwx

Good point on the fuel, thanks for the info. They are not insisting on it, and actually the first time mentioned that could be just a possibility, which is feasible, and replaced spark plugs, just in case, as there were carbon deposits. At this time they recognize the issue is somewhere else, so we will see. This makes me think about diesel if I end up changing the car, but that is a whole other discussion Another thing that bothers me is that the SA did say they had to open a PUMA case which usually means that some expensive and unusual repairs are involved that require BMW authorisation, yet nothing other than moving injectors around and driving the car is reported. I will talk to the SA when I bring the car in and request all the paperwork I can get on it...

The time to get the paper work is before you sign the papers to pick up the car...they will not get paid, and will not give you the car back, until you sign where it says- essentially-"The work was done to my satisfaction".

PUMA is simply when they cannot figure it out locally- it is not "expensive" or "serious", necessarily... (although it usually gets to be). Sadly, BMW (and others) are seeking to reduce repair to a software program...pull codes, look up codes, run tests the computer says you need to do for those codes...when THAT doesn't work, the flowchart says "open a puma"... (I'm generalizing of course) The good news is that over time, the BMW database 'learns' and a failure that would be a PUMA on a new model is simply part of the routine TSBs they have.

Personally I think a PUMA is good, it means serious people are working on the car. Not that local techs can be very, very good...but the PUMA guys have access to so much more info.

GL

A

Originally Posted by ard

The time to get the paper work is before you sign the papers to pick up the car...they will not get paid, and will not give you the car back, until you sign where it says- essentially-"The work was done to my satisfaction".

Very true. What is interesting, they did not need me to sign anything that time. The first time I went through a few pages and requested copies of everything I needed to sign or initialized, this time they gave me a printout with listed work and 0 charge and that was it, no signature. It was late in the day so the SA was not there to talk to... Is that normal or do I need to smell for a fish?

Update: got the car back. The same cylinders' 2 and 3 misfire codes recorded, and this time per bmw PUMA they replaced all 6 injectors, coils, and spark plugs, close to 3k in repairs (warranty). I test drove it over the weekend, although not as intensily, and no errors appeared. I also feel the engine got a bit of lighter feel - faster rpm increase, great response, very nice and clean sound. Wonder if they reset the accelerator program or something else? Will have to drive more to see for sure. Thanks everyone for their input!

Originally Posted by bxmxwx

Update: got the car back. The same cylinders' 2 and 3 misfire codes recorded, and this time per bmw PUMA they replaced all 6 injectors, coils, and spark plugs, close to 3k in repairs (warranty). I test drove it over the weekend, although not as intensily, and no errors appeared. I also feel the engine got a bit of lighter feel - faster rpm increase, great response, very nice and clean sound. Wonder if they reset the accelerator program or something else? Will have to drive more to see for sure. Thanks everyone for their input!

Let me know when we are placing bets.

Originally Posted by pa50i

Let me know when we are placing bets.

Which way will yours go?

Originally Posted by bxmxwx

Which way will yours go?

Like me, I predict that won't be your last visit with this issue.

Originally Posted by pa50i

Has anyone heard of this same issue on the X5M?

Anyone?

Just purchased a 2011 X5 35i two weeks ago, 40,000 miles, drove for 4 days when an engine malfunction reduced power notice flashed up, turned off vehicle and notice was gone, took to the dealership 100+ miles away and they have had the vehicle for 10 days as of today. I have been told the turbo is building too much pressure and is why its throwing the code. The BMW factory tech said it was a air pressure sensor, replaced and it threw the warning again. They ordered another part but I have a strong feeling no one knows what is going on. Can someone shed some light on this. I know when Turbos build too much pressure engines go bad and I am very worried about what happens when warranty runs out. I believe they should offer extended warranty for this problem or at least half off! I love the vehicle but am real close to going back to Acura.

ashcar... has this been an ongoing issue? ie did someone knowingly dump a problem on you?

If yiou have the actual codes we could help you understand what might be going on...

ard,
I have a feeling that it was an ongoing concern prior to my purchasing the vehicle. I have not been told anything regarding the vehicle codes. After reading these posts I am going to request an itemized list of all codes that have been shown. I don't know what PUMA is but the BMW direct technician has been contacted to come over twice and I am still without the vehicle. Thanks for any help that can be provided

Originally Posted by ashcar

ard,
I have a feeling that it was an ongoing concern prior to my purchasing the vehicle. I have not been told anything regarding the vehicle codes. After reading these posts I am going to request an itemized list of all codes that have been shown. I don't know what PUMA is but the BMW direct technician has been contacted to come over twice and I am still without the vehicle. Thanks for any help that can be provided

I could copy directly but did not want to steal the line - here it is about PUMA:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=349739

Getting codes and detailed paperwork is important on multiple levels. I also learned that dealers may resist providing "too much" detail, but with some persistence that may be overcome. Good luck. My car still works and sounds like a swiss (should I say german) clock after the repairs, even after more testing. Will see if it holds up.

Originally Posted by bxmxwx

Update: got the car back. The same cylinders' 2 and 3 misfire codes recorded, and this time per bmw PUMA they replaced all 6 injectors, coils, and spark plugs, close to 3k in repairs (warranty). I test drove it over the weekend, although not as intensily, and no errors appeared. I also feel the engine got a bit of lighter feel - faster rpm increase, great response, very nice and clean sound. Wonder if they reset the accelerator program or something else? Will have to drive more to see for sure. Thanks everyone for their input!

Mine was doing the weak coughing upon a few (not all) cold strarts and warm starts the past two weeks. This is what had happened prior to the low power warnings I experienced twice earlier this year.
I took it in and explained as such, they kept it for two days. No findings.

Wondering when the warning will show up again...??

Originally Posted by pa50i

Mine was doing the weak coughing upon a few (not all) cold strarts and warm starts the past two weeks. This is what had happened prior to the low power warnings I experienced twice earlier this year.
I took it in and explained as such, they kept it for two days. No findings.

Wondering when the warning will show up again...??

Those intermittent errors are the worst b/c it is so hard to isolate the cause. And, you can statistically prove they have some mysterious intelligence behind them since as soon as you bring it to the dealer, it hides Luckily, in my case I had a very simple procedure to trigger the effect. And, not to jinx it, no issues so far - it still drives like it should, pure joy, after the repairs.

This one doesn't seem to be having any low power warnings...




Oh man.