Four problems related to crankcase (pcv) have been reported for the 2002 BMW X5. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
2002 BMW X5;4. 6is sav. Check engine light appeared. Went to authorized dealer, who said that the code inspired ra fault in the vanos, system, and reset obdii computer. In two days, the entire engine broke down. Upon inspection, we were told that the timing chain and cam adjusters imploded possibly due to the formation of engine sludge. Estimated cost of repair is $8000. The X5 was properly maintained according to the maintenance schedule with BMW approved oil. The formation of sludge might have been caused by a failure of the crankcase ventilation system. Repair includes the installation of new cam sensors, actuators and new camshafts. Also the removal of metal particles in the lubrication system. This expensive repair may have been avoided if BMW had recalled the oil separator they determined was defective years ago. There is no mentioning of a maintenance schedule for the timing chain, and associated parts. We have already endured the expense of transmission replacement. Can you inspire a re-imbursement of damages incurred??.
On December 24, 2008, my wife was on her way to the BMW of darien dealership to have the windshield wipers replaced when our BMW X5 stalled in the middle of an intersection with her parents also in the car. She was nearly hit by another vehicle, but made it to the dealership. She spoke with saun, a service rep, and told him about the stalling incident. She scheduled a service appointment for December 30, 2008. We drove the car out of town for the holidays and the service engine light illuminated on December 26, 2008. It went off and we kept the appointment with BMW service department in darien, CT on December 30. They ran a diagnostic test and said we needed to update the computer software and replace the thermostat in the engine. We paid $657 for all suggested repairs and were assured this was why the engine stalled and the service light illuminated. We drove the car less than 6 miles before it stalled and stopped on the highway entrance ramp as three lanes merge on January 1, 2009 with my wife and me in it. BMW of darien was closed and the recording directed us to call BMW roadside assistance. After 45 minutes of unsuccessfully waiting for someone to pick up the phone, my wife hung up, because I had already contacted our insurance company and a tow truck. We sat on the highway for approximately two hours in 18 degree weather until the tow truck arrived. The tow truck took the X5 to the BMW of darien dealership. On January 2, 2009, a service rep, pat, told that the crankcase vent valve was broken due to the cold weather and that this problem is widespread and we were quoted $1,000 to repair it and the spark plugs. As we researched online, we found that this is a common problem across BMW models. Additionally, BMW has redesigned this part and added insulation to fix this design flaw. This seems to be a faulty design and BMW refuses to inform the consumer. Our car stopped twice and put my wife, her parents, and me in harm of bodily injury.
I replaced the oil separator at BMW dealership 1/10/08 because oil was becoming polluted with water even after I explained to dealership previous times the oil looked milky when I did a dipstick check. The dealer told me the part failed before it caused extensive damage and a condition known as hydrolock, which could cause engine to seize. Last week in very cold weather conditions,1/13,2015 my cars cabin filled with black smoke. I pulled over and found the engine spoiled with smoking oil, I took it to an independent repair shop and it was the oil separator again. The part is also known as the crankcase vent valve I had it changed/repaired, it is expensive and can cause serious vehicle damage and accidents. I think for this to happen twice points to a dangerous vulnerable part. This time my car could have easily caught on fire, thankfully I was close to the repair shop. Incidently they had three BMW's aside from mine with the same problem. Also the two separate incidents were repaired with cold weather/insulated kits. I could not even open my drivers side door window to get air it was inoperable when the cabin filled with smoke which was almost instantaneous.
My wife was driving her X5 on a very cold day in January. She heard a loud bang as if she had hit something. She stopped the car but saw nothing so she drove another 1/4 mile home. As soon as she stopped the car fumes started billowing from the engine. On opening the hood we found a shattered valve cover. She took the vehicle to the dealer who was very good about explaining what had happened and fixing the problem. Apparently, BMW decided not to insulate part of the oil separator valve for some of the X5 engines. In cold weather the valve can stick open or closed causing either engine failure or, as in my wife's case, a high crankcase pressure which explodes the valve cover. The vehicle was about 17 months old and had about 5 thousand miles on it when this happened, so the repair with replacement of the inadequate part was done under warranty. BMW knew that this problem could occur, they had already sent a bulletin to every dealer letting them know about it but have decided against issuing a recall.