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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 8 of 8

#69 of 78 BMW fix for oil separator failure? by bethlen

Jan 03, 2011 (2:33 pm)

I currently have a 2004 X5 that has had oil separator issues EVERY winter. I take it to the dealership and every winter they claim to fix it. Obviously, these are just band-aid fixes since they don't actually work. Does anyone know of a 'true' fix? I'm so very frustrated with this vehicle. You'd think I bought a used Kia. The fact that BMX basically ignores the issue tells me a lot about the company.

#70 of 78 Re: BMW fix for oil separator failure? [bethlen] by dhr48864

Jan 03, 2011 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: bethlen (Jan 03, 2011 2:33 pm)
Bethlen--
to me it sounds like the only true fix is to have the oil separator replaced and not fixed. I had the dealership pick up the tab on the repairs after a report from the bmw field representative. I called BMW of North America and asked for one to look at my x5. It is a MANUFACTURER defect whether they admit it or not. One doesn't pay that much for a car to have a manufacturer balk at simple repairs.

#71 of 78 Re: Oil Separator [salemo] by kiogothe

Jan 21, 2011 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: salemo (Apr 08, 2010 9:20 pm)
I don't believe is oil separator from my experience, i had the same problem and i was told that, that would be due to cold build up in engine esp. in cold weather and improves when you take a long drive which i did and the problem resolved. I hate to see pple lose money like this esp. females

#72 of 78 2005 X3 Hydro locks by fmvinny

Jan 27, 2011 (7:02 pm)

On December 26th, 2010 my daughter was driving our 2005 BMW X3 when it stopped in the middle of a street about a block from our house. There was a lot of smoke and for a moment she thought that the vehicle was on fire. We got it towed to a local service station that diagnosed the problem as hyrdo-locking. They cleaned it up ($280 with towing) but did not have a fix for the problem. I called Motorwerks BMW in Minneapolis and they asked me to bring it to the dealership and the earliest appointment was January 27th, 2011.
 
On January 20, 2011, my wife was driving the same vehicle home from work at 11:30 pm when it stopped in the middle of a busy and dangerous intersection in Fargo, North Dakota. The temperature outside was -22F. She must have driven the car about 2 miles when she saw a huge white smoke coming out of tail pipe and within a few minutes the vehicle completely stopped. We got it towed to the same service station as before and called my insurance agent the next morning. The agent did some investigation and advised us to get it towed to another service station in Moorhead MN that works mostly on imports. This service station knew what the problem was as they had fixed five to six others in the last couple on months. They got the parts from the BMW dealership, fixed the probelm and I got the vehicle back yesterday. They also mentioned that somebody had tried fixing the problem earlier but did not finish it. We are the original owners of it and have always taken it to Motorweks BMW in Minneapolis for all work. The total without the two towing was $1084.
 
I have read that other BWM owners living in cold places with high humidity have the same problem. I am scared to have any family member drive the vehicle. Have others had the same problem? Can it happen again? What should be done?

#73 of 78 Re: 2005 X3 Hydro locks [fmvinny] by slwagner

Feb 09, 2011 (1:08 pm)

Replying to: fmvinny (Jan 27, 2011 7:02 pm)
Where in Moorhead did you take it? I'm from Fergus Falls and had the same problem yesterday with my X5. I need to get serviced asap.
Thanks.

#75 of 78 Re: 2005 X3 Hydro locks [slwagner] by fmvinny

Feb 15, 2011 (6:59 am)

Replying to: slwagner (Feb 09, 2011 1:08 pm)
All Sports Engineering in Moorhead

#76 of 78 2001 BMW X5 OIL SEPERATOR by wr1224

Feb 19, 2011 (5:13 am)

I was driving one morning, when all of sudden my car started rocking back and forth, then a big white cloud of smoke came out of the exhaust and the car broke down. I took it to one mechanic who told me I needed a new engine. I wanted to get a second opinion so I had it towed to another shop and that mechanic told me it was the oil seperator and he just fixed 3 other X5's with the same problem. This is a defect and BMW should do something to rectify it. I was also told that the cold weather and not being driven enough was the cause. This is suppose to be the ultimate driving machine and it can't handle cold weather.

#78 of 78 Re: 2001 BMW X5 OIL SEPERATOR [wr1224] by class_action

Feb 24, 2011 (7:52 pm)

Replying to: wr1224 (Feb 19, 2011 5:13 am)
Everyone that is having a problem with their oil separator call the National Highway Safety Administration hotline or file a complaint online: http://www.nhtsa.gov
 
Also call BMW of North America – ask for a supervisor in customer care. I apologize but I cannot post phone numbers or names on this blog.
 
I have filed a formal complaint with the NHSA. You need to have your VIN number, the approximate mileage when the problem first occurred and the current mileage on your vehicle.
 
I have also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and the Ohio State Attorney General's office.
 
Make no mistake about it: this is a design flaw with BMW and a major safety issue.
 
I have had 4 oil separators go bad over the last 4 years. The only way this issue is going to be escalated from a "service bulletin" to a full blown recall is to call the National Highway Safety Administration! Please do it NOW!
 
 This problem greatly depreciates the resale value of our vehicles not to mention the out of pocket costs due to repairs, lost wages, and towing to mention a few. None of us in good conscience could sell our vehicles in a Northern Climate and pass this problem on to the next owner - we need to unite and pass the problem back to the source: BMW.

Messages Page 8 of 8

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