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BMW X5 Cold Temp Problems

78 messages,  Last post on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:52 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X5, Auto Repair, Engine, Oil, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 7 of 8

#58 of 78 BMW X5 Recent Cold Temp Problems by ericksom

Mar 22, 2009 (7:59 pm)

I have a 2001 X5 4.4i and have the same problem(failed oil seperator). My first broke down was in Jan 2008. I had a repair done and costed me $2200.00. Just one week later, my car broke down again with the same problem. The dealership repaired at no cost. Jan of 2009, it broke down again three times in two years. It was still under two years service warrenty. They told me about the moister in the engin and offered a solution to the problem. they said there is an upgrade for the oil seperator that wraps around the unit keeping moister away and will cost about $950.00. Has anyone been given this service advice? I did not have the work done yet. Afraid of a scam.

#59 of 78 cold temp.engine problemsBMWX5 by ganges

Apr 11, 2009 (1:55 pm)

I am new to this forum but I learned that many owners of bmwx5 in colder parts of country have had similiar problems as I had in Dec.2008.Sudden engine stall while driving in below zero degree in Wisconsin similiar to owner in Alaska deado3bmwx5.I was told that this happened because water condensation froze breathing hose shut, engine cylinders got flooded with oil" locking up motor".Oil also leaked to other parts under hood requiring lot of cleaning replacement of damaged parts.Total cast over $1600.I wrote to BMWNA Customer Relations regarding this problem to see whether they can help me with the expenses and the person called me to say that they cannot do anything because 1) it is out of warranty. It has done 97000 miles and it is 2001 BMW X5 3.0i. 2) There is no recall for this problem and he did not seem to acknowledge that this is a real problem. He would not give me any wirtten response. I find that many car owners with the similar problems have similar response from BMW N.A. I believe it is potentially serious problem and one can have serious injury or even fatality due to sudden stalling of the engine in cold weather and I wonder if anybody has communicated this problem with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and what has been their experience. I just wrote a letter to the U.S.Dept. of Transportation. I will keep you posted with the response.

#60 of 78 oil separator failure for cold winter month by kspokane

Dec 11, 2009 (3:55 pm)

I have 04 BMW X3 42000k miles, engine oil separator failure. it was happened on Dec 7, 09. So that will cost me $1500.00 to fix. there is a bulletin 11 08 03 issue on Feb 2009 but dealer never notify the owner. BMW suck, next car will not be BMW.

#61 of 78 BMW X5 Oil Leak Issues due to Cold weahter by desirohit

Dec 13, 2009 (11:44 pm)

Hi there,
 
It was very cold this morning when I started my vehicle - 40C and let it run for 10 minutes. After driving for about 10 minutes. I saw smoke coming from the vents and oil dripping from the bottom of the car. My mechanic has taken all the covers off from the bottom of my car and came to the conclusion that it is a gas kit.
I am driving it now. He wants me to drive it in to find out if it repeats it again. Burning smell has definatley decreased. Do you think this is a oil separator issue??
I usually park my car in a under ground heated parking but unlucky me the coldest night I park it outside the North Agricom in Edmonton Alberta, Canada.
Please help. Thanks

#62 of 78 Re: BMW X5 Oil Leak Issues due to Cold weahter [desirohit] by paule

Dec 18, 2009 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: desirohit (Dec 13, 2009 11:44 pm)
I believe you mean "gasket".
 
It does sound like it could be the oil separator issue. The easiest way to tell is to place a piece of cardboard or similar under your engine after you park your car. When you come out in the morning, you will be able to see how much oil you are leaking and where it is leaking from. Give your mechanic a general area where it is leaking from and he will know where to look.
 
It is also possible that the very cold weather caused the gasket to shrink enough to cause a leak and once it warms up it will no longer leak. This would surprise me a bit if this was the case but it is possible.
 
By the way, a little trivia for you: -40C is the same as -40F. After that the temperatures diverge again.

#63 of 78 Re: BMW X5 Oil Leak Issues due to Cold weahter [paule] by desirohit

Dec 19, 2009 (10:09 am)

Replying to: paule (Dec 18, 2009 8:30 pm)
Thanks for the tip. I will try this tonight or over the weekend. My mechanic has taken the bottom covers off from the bottom in order for me to figure out if it's still leaking.
 
To be honest when ever I park the car for a longer period of time in my parking area I always check for the oil drops when I move the vehicle. It is little bit dirty to begin with, I will try this Card Board technology which you suggested.
 
Yeah, one more thing he tightened the gasket bolts. Just in case.
 
It surprised me a bit too but metal could shrink little bit in this kind of cold weather. Actually it went to -46C with chill I heard that night.
So you think I should just sell this or don't worry about it??
This is a great website and I have started to like it lot. Thanks

#64 of 78 Re: BMW X5 Oil Leak Issues due to Cold weahter [desirohit] by kspokane

Dec 21, 2009 (11:04 am)

Replying to: desirohit (Dec 19, 2009 10:09 am)
When it was happened to my BMW x3 04, there are Lots of white smoke was billowing from the back, Engine became very sluggish. there are no oil leak below the engine, I love X3 but I'm considering to trade in my X3.

#65 of 78 Oil separator problem on diesel x5? by misterkenj

Dec 27, 2009 (12:10 pm)

I've read quite a few posts about the oil separator problem, but I've not seen any information about whether or not this can occur on a diesel.
 
Just yesterday I bought a 2010 X5 xDrive35D, and it will be delivered next month. We live in Utah, and have a heated garage, but it sometimes gets pretty cold here. Rarely below 10 F, but sometimes below 0 F. Our shortest drive would be 15 minutes or so one way, down, then up the mountain.
 
So, is the diesel engine subject to the OS problem? Will the sort of driving we do ... perhaps to go out for dinner on a cold night ... be a problem?
 
Thanks ... and wish me luck with my new car!

#66 of 78 Re: oil separator failure for cold winter month [kspokane] by roogam

Jan 04, 2010 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: kspokane (Dec 11, 2009 3:55 pm)
Same problem with my 2004 X3.(42000 miles) Very cold overnight : vehicle started to smoke very much, then died. BMW said condensation, oil separator blown. It will cost 1300 to fix. Should I fix, or should BMW fix at no cost, since this seems like a very common problem among BMW vehicles.
Please advise.
Thank You.

#67 of 78 Re: oil separator failure for cold winter month [roogam] by kspokane

Jan 05, 2010 (11:18 am)

Replying to: roogam (Jan 04, 2010 6:15 pm)
you need to contact BMW dealer or BMW of North America, LLC, they may help you with the cost. but for me I have to put up with my bill since my warranty has been expired. I have spoke with BMW Customer Relationship REP but they can not help me because I took my X3 to independent repair shops.
Goog Luck

Messages Page 7 of 8

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