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Problem with valvetronic levers - anyone else?

38K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  akarro 
#1 ·
Hello,

On my 2004 X5 (60,000 miles) I am getting a rough idle and "service engine" light flashing when doing a cold start in very cold weather. I took it to two BMW certified mechanics

We were told by several repair places that we needed to have our "valvetronic intermediate levers" replaced as documented in service bulletin SI B 11 02 05. I read the bulletin and it is a big job and we were given rough estimates for over $3,000.

My questions for anyone out there is:

1) Did anyone have this problem and did they get it fixed. How much did it cost? Anyone have the same problem and not get it fixed?

2) I called BMW North America and asked if there was anyway they could help us with the cost? According to the bulletin, the faulty levers were a known problem in 2005. Everytime we took our X5 in for service while it was under warranty, we asked them to fix anything that might be a potential problem before the warranty ran out. They never informed us of these faulty levers. According to our non-dealer mechanics, they are not surprised given that it is a huge job to replace and the dealer probably didn't want to do it.

Has anyone had any luck getting help from BMW NA customer service? The person I spoke with didn't sound very optomistic.

Thanks for any help!
 
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#3 ·
Hello,

On my 2004 X5 (60,000 miles) I am getting a rough idle and "service engine" light flashing when doing a cold start in very cold weather. I took it to two BMW certified mechanics

We were told by several repair places that we needed to have our "valvetronic intermediate levers" replaced as documented in service bulletin SI B 11 02 05. I read the bulletin and it is a big job and we were given rough estimates for over $3,000.

My questions for anyone out there is:

1) Did anyone have this problem and did they get it fixed. How much did it cost? Anyone have the same problem and not get it fixed?

2) I called BMW North America and asked if there was anyway they could help us with the cost? According to the bulletin, the faulty levers were a known problem in 2005. Everytime we took our X5 in for service while it was under warranty, we asked them to fix anything that might be a potential problem before the warranty ran out. They never informed us of these faulty levers. According to our non-dealer mechanics, they are not surprised given that it is a huge job to replace and the dealer probably didn't want to do it.

Has anyone had any luck getting help from BMW NA customer service? The person I spoke with didn't sound very optomistic.

Thanks for any help!
Try your post over at Xoutpost.com as well. That's another active board with experienced BMW techs on it. M5James is a very knowledgeable person on this board as well as well as many others.
 
#5 ·
Also encountering problems on my 650i, which has now been diagnosed as a valvetronics issue...


October 2010
Engine Warning Light came on
Took to Garage who repaired the diaphragm breathers
Cost £120

November 2010
Engine Warning Light re-appeared
Took to BMW specialist
Told me faulty battery – replaced battery
Also changed the oil and pollen filters and replaced the shock absorbers
Cost £468

Engine Warning Light 3rd time…
Returned car to Amari Preston, UK (where bought car from)
Repaired faulty wiring test drove car and told me no problems

Next day - Engine Warning Light re-appeared – car went into Limp mode…

December 2010
Took car to BM specialist
Their auto-electrician downloaded a load of software and re-calibrated the engine & PDL system which took car out of limp mode and the engine warning light.
Cost £178

Next day...engine warning light and limp mode.
January 2011
Fault code came up with a faulty battery lead – replaced lead and IBS lead
Cost £172

2 days later - engine warning light and limp mode.
Took back to BMW specialist
Fault code now says problem with the valvetronics
 
#8 ·
I have the same problem on a 2006 X5 with 25,000 miles. 1 year out of warranty. As a result cannot pass emissions test in illinois and cannot renew my annual sticker as a result. BMW says $8800 to fix. I have not talked to BMW north america yet but plan on doing so soon.
 
#9 ·
Emission test

Did you try and pass the emission test or did the dealer just tell you that you couldn't. I just got a recall notice from BMW that there is a fix for a different emission problem that you need to have done. If you need the notice number, let me know.

In the meantime, I never got my valvetronic problem fixed. I went to the dealer today for the emission recall notice (no charge, of course) and when he read the key, he didn't see anything about it. I haven't had the problem recently although it has been cold outside. I had taken it to a local BMW expert (not a dealer) and he did something. I could find out what that was if you need.

GOOD LUCK! I certainly feel for you.

I now have another problem with my rear parking sensor. Will probably cost an arm and a leg to fix this one.....
 
#10 ·
My car stopped all together last week - engine wouldn't turn over. Had it towed to the BMW specialist garage who have now replaced the crank shaft sensor. Car now starts, but still getting the dreaded "engine fault - reduce power" message and it isn't even that cold at the moment! The car isn't in limp mode but isn't running properly.

My garage have told me the valvetronics is still coming up as an error message on the diagnosis and it will be around £1k to repair (but in all honesty, they said don't know what is wrong with it and don't know if this will cure the problem).

ccccdebbie - if you can find out what your expert did, please let me know!
 
#12 ·
Update!!

Mechanic removed the VVT control unit and there is no water damage.

To replace the unit will cost another £500, but it may NOT solve the problem.

He has told me however that another BMW that had all the same symptoms as mine (limp mode on start up which eventually goes when engine warms) replaced the VVT unit and now all is fine.

Do I risk another £500???
 
#13 ·
Risk more money?

Is your car runniing OK now? I wouldn't put another 500 into the car. We wound up trading our BMW in at a non-BMW dealer. If we would have fixed the car, they wouldn't have given us any more money for it. If the problem isn' t terrible and you plan to sell it in the summer -- to a dealer -- then I wouldn't fix it. You won't get your money back and it won't help the sale.
 
#14 ·
valvetronics levers

I have a 2004 X5 and have had issue with the check engine light coming on when engine is cold and then the car vibrates intensely. I contacted the dealer immediately who instructed me to not drive car and bring in for service immediately. The car has been at dealer for 2 weeks and the only description of the problem is that the levers and lifers were stuck and would need to be replaced which is expensive as they need to take the engine block apart. The diagnostics did not mention that the levers were valvetronics and did not describe issue in any detail. Currently the cost of repairs is $1600 labor and 1600 parts..... Description on service summary: REPLACING LEVERS AND LIFTERS AND BOTH BANKS????? When I requested additional clarification this is what was provided: "Replacing levers ad lifters inside the motor as well as the associated gaskets thatt seal the area"

When I contacted the North American BMW customer service number they offered little information, they would not even provide me with information on whether this problem was a known issue.

Needless to say I am very disappointed. Any additional feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
#16 ·
I have a 2004 X5 and have had issue with the check engine light coming on when engine is cold and then the car vibrates intensely. I contacted the dealer immediately who instructed me to not drive car and bring in for service immediately. The car has been at dealer for 2 weeks and the only description of the problem is that the levers and lifers were stuck and would need to be replaced which is expensive as they need to take the engine block apart. The diagnostics did not mention that the levers were valvetronics and did not describe issue in any detail. Currently the cost of repairs is $1600 labor and 1600 parts..... Description on service summary: REPLACING LEVERS AND LIFTERS AND BOTH BANKS????? When I requested additional clarification this is what was provided: "Replacing levers ad lifters inside the motor as well as the associated gaskets thatt seal the area"

When I contacted the North American BMW customer service number they offered little information, they would not even provide me with information on whether this problem was a known issue.

Needless to say I am very disappointed. Any additional feedback would be greatly appreciated.
What feedback are you looking to get? Don't buy old luxury cars. They are expensive to maintain.
They probably want to change parts at both banks so that you aren't going back to them any time soon. If it's a known issue - yes and no. The N62 has had problems with valvetronic, but not on E53 X5. Most problems are on E60 5th series. Mostly due to worn out valvetronic parts.
 
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