DEF Fluid Help

Originally Posted by rmorin49

Do the caps just twist off by hand or do u need a special wrench? I noticed they had a torx like indentation on each cap. Under one of my caps there is a label but I haven't removed the cap to read what it says. I also confirmed that my local Pilot truck stop does have bulk def for 2.59/gallon. Will they allow it to be dispensed into any type of container?


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Use the screwdriver handle that came with the car. It's dual purpose on purpose & listed in the manual.

I believe the X5 tool kit has the special adapter/wrench, but mine simply screws-off by hand and didn't require to special wrench..

Originally Posted by DC-IT

I've had 2 oil changes on my D so far......

Did you have fuel filter changed at the second oil service as well?
335d produced after 3/09 should have diesel fuel filter changed every 2nd oil change according to SIB000408 updated July 2009, just wonder if that happened
Thanks

Originally Posted by Mbretl

Use the screwdriver handle that came with the car. It's dual purpose on purpose & listed in the manual.

Thanks, I plan to do some investigation tonight.


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Originally Posted by tlak77

Did you have fuel filter changed at the second oil service as well?
335d produced after 3/09 should have diesel fuel filter changed every 2nd oil change according to SIB000408 updated July 2009, just wonder if that happened
Thanks

In my case they didnt change diesel fuel filter after 2nd oil change. I enquired and talked around but didnt get definitive answer. If any of you gets it or has info on when it will be changed or cleaned please post it here

Originally Posted by tlak77

Did you have fuel filter changed at the second oil service as well?
335d produced after 3/09 should have diesel fuel filter changed every 2nd oil change according to SIB000408 updated July 2009, just wonder if that happened
Thanks

I'm not sure if they did.
I'll have to look for the work order and verify that.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by tlak77

Did you have fuel filter changed at the second oil service as well?
335d produced after 3/09 should have diesel fuel filter changed every 2nd oil change according to SIB000408 updated July 2009, just wonder if that happened
Thanks

Is there a way to get a copy of that SIB? I asked specifically about fuel filters during my second change and they had no answer as to when it is ever done.

And as luck would have it, my car was made before that date. So my mystery of fuel filters will probably continue.

Originally Posted by Snipe656

And as luck would have it, my car was made before that date. So my mystery of fuel filters will probably continue.

If your car was made before that date, it needs fuel filter replaced every 3rd oil change.
Attached SIB, I'm gonna remove it shortly, don't want to get in trouble... also there could be newer version out there.....
I just realized Service Warranty Booklet for 2010 model on page 9 states the fuel filter needs to be replaced every 2 oil change. Any owner should have that document, if not in hard copy, soft copy can be downloaded from bmw website....

This is interesting, from that pdf:

"Use of B10 or higher biodiesel, kerosene, or mixing with small
amounts of gasoline
is not permitted!"

Originally Posted by tlak77

If your car was made before that date, it needs fuel filter replaced every 3rd oil change.
... also there could be newer version out there.....
I just realized Service Warranty Booklet for 2010 model on page 9 states the fuel filter needs to be replaced every 2 oil change. Any owner should have that document, if not in hard copy, soft copy can be downloaded from bmw website....

Thanks, I asked two different dealers about fuel filters and neither one knew the answer as to when they should get replaced. I wonder why the 09s have a longer life on the filter, I'd thought it is the same filter for the entire run of the model. One thing I noticed that was not done during my 2nd oil change is this:

The ventilation system microfilter must be replaced at every 2nd engine oil change

I called up BMW customer relations again because I just recently had my 2nd scheduled oil change (~20400mi) and my dealer mentioned that the fuel filter is changed every 3rd scheduled oil change -My warranty booklet says every 2nd oil change (pg9 my2011 X5d).

BMW customer relations said they have documented my complaint and will go in review process. I told them I have not received an official document or addendum describing the changes to the BMW Maintenance Program, I told them that This was what I agreed to when I purchased my vehicle and you are now changing those terms of the contract. They also cannot provide me any current documentation of the changes at the time I called them. They did call the dealer to verify why they did not perform the service -the dealer mentioned that they are going by my key-fob information through the computer and it tells them what is due. My air filter was not changed either.

All of this is making me wonder where the heck my warranty booklet is. Will have to go searching for it this weekend.

Chip4, you're in AZ? Phoenix area? If you don't mind saying, which dealer are you working with: Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale?

Originally Posted by Snipe656

All of this is making me wonder where the heck my warranty booklet is. Will have to go searching for it this weekend.

You may have not gotten it, I did my ED in Dec 09 and they gave me 335i booklet - since 335d was not available yet . Get it off bmw web print it and bring it to the dealer. Interesting thing is that car manufacturers can try to deny warranty repair for not fallowing recommended maintenance when there is an issue but they don't fallow their own guidance in this case.

Originally Posted by SteveGu

This is interesting, from that pdf:

"Use of B10 or higher biodiesel, kerosene, or mixing with small
amounts of gasoline
is not permitted!"

And from page 4, ULSD with minimum 51 cetane. I know I don't have 51 cetane fuel available anywhere near me. The vast majority of us in the US are violoating that BMW fuel standard.

Originally Posted by TDIwyse

And from page 4, ULSD with minimum 51 cetane. I know I don't have 51 cetane fuel available anywhere near me. The vast majority of us in the US are violoating that BMW fuel standard.

I thought that was the case for a long time. But if you really go digging you will find elsewhere that BMW says you can run a lower cetane and that the car adjusts for it. I do not have the page on their website bookmarked that states that but it is out there if anyone wants to go searching for it.

Originally Posted by Snipe656

I thought that was the case for a long time. But if you really go digging you will find elsewhere that BMW says you can run a lower cetane and that the car adjusts for it. I do not have the page on their website bookmarked that states that but it is out there if anyone wants to go searching for it.

I've seen that too. Just curious to me that some of their (and other manufacturer's) documentation states very restrictive fuel requirements (whether biodiesel % or cetane rating) that are then relaxed depending on the places they are selling their vehicles (manual says B5 max, fuel cap says B7 max, certain docs say >51 cetane, etc). Just makes me wonder how and why they say the things they say.

People often talk about biodiesel and cetane. Don't forget that USA fuel standard is also below BMW/Bosch spec wrt lubricity.

Originally Posted by Snipe656

When you get the warning you have a 1000 miles before it will not start again from being low on fluid. I think with that being the case that you are probably then running just on the active tank, but maybe someone knows for certain.

My mechanic confirmed this understanding. The level sensor in the big passive tank has coarse resolution: empty, not empty, overfilled. The smaller active tank has a finer grained level sensor. The countdown begins around the time that the big tank goes empty.

I've twice encountered the warning between oil changes. 1000 miles is plenty of advanced notice. Both times my dealer topped me off at no charge. They eat this cost, which is minor labor doubled as training, plus near nothing for parts.

The second time I drove away as soon as they were done topping off DEF. I was told the warning would go away in approx 8 miles and to call if it did not. It went away in 9 miles give or take 1/2 mile. Apparently the normal procedure is for them to drive the car for 8-9 miles so that it is returned to the customer with no warning light. I thought that was unnecessary.

Originally Posted by autoJeff

My mechanic confirmed this understanding. The level sensor in the big passive tank has coarse resolution: empty, not empty, overfilled. The smaller active tank has a finer grained level sensor. The countdown begins around the time that the big tank goes empty.

I've twice encountered the warning between oil changes. 1000 miles is plenty of advanced notice. Both times my dealer topped me off at no charge. They eat this cost, which is minor labor doubled as training, plus near nothing for parts.

The second time I drove away as soon as they were done topping off DEF. I was told the warning would go away in approx 8 miles and to call if it did not. It went away in 9 miles give or take 1/2 mile. Apparently the normal procedure is for them to drive the car for 8-9 miles so that it is returned to the customer with no warning light. I thought that was unnecessary.

Since my nearest dealer is about an hour away I plan to keep a couple gallons at my house so I can fill it if it becomes necessary between oil changes and visits to the dealer. At $2.59/gallon from Pilot, it's not an issue but I do need to figure out a way to get it into the tanks from the containers. I am taking from your post that once you get the warning the passive tank is completely empty. Which one is that with respect to the two caps on the car? What is the capacity of each tank? I didn't read this entire thread so I apologize if it is in an earlier post.

Originally Posted by rmorin49

Since my nearest dealer is about an hour away I plan to keep a couple gallons at my house so I can fill it if it becomes necessary between oil changes and visits to the dealer. At $2.59/gallon from Pilot, it's not an issue but I do need to figure out a way to get it into the tanks from the containers. I am taking from your post that once you get the warning the passive tank is completely empty. Which one is that with respect to the two caps on the car? What is the capacity of each tank? I didn't read this entire thread so I apologize if it is in an earlier post.

Check out the diesel technology document I posted elsewhere; it has a big section regarding the DEF tanks and system, with really good diagrams.

Originally Posted by Pasa-d

Check out the diesel technology document I posted elsewhere; it has a big section regarding the DEF tanks and system, with really good diagrams.

This is quite a nice document. Thanks for the info. It will take a couple days to digest all the details.

Hey guys & gals I know this is an old post and don't know if anyone is still following it but I'm new to owning a 335d. I haven't even got the car tagged yet and the low def light is on. My question is simple I know how to via other forms what to use and how to refill both def tanks. But how do I pop off the circular cover? Do I push it in or get something thin like a flat head and pull it out? I don't want to break it off and drive around with a hole on the side of my car :/

Push on it with your hand.