Jim Wallace

I'm hoping someone can give me a few pointers. I have a 2012 E84 25D and recently I've been getting the following intermittent codes: 4862 Air System, Air to EGR Mass Flow, Plausibility 4873 Exhaust-Gas Recirculation Cooling, Plausibility 4530 Charing Pressure Control, Control Deviation The car drove fine, no loss of power. I removed the EGR and Cooler to check them and there was very little carbon and both clear. Both were replaced around 10k miles ago under the BMW recall. The car has now gone into limp mode and is making a weird noise when reved. It's quite at idle but makes a lowish pitched drone or whining noise when the engine is reved. It's not a high pitched whine that I would associate with the bearings in the turbo. I had a fondle of the turbo spindle when I had the intake pipe removed. It spins freely and I cant feel any play in the bearings. The car has only done 55,000 miles and has a full service history with oil changes every 4,000 miles so I'm hoping the turbo hasn't failed already. I thought I'd try and check out the control system first. I looked at the parts diagram for the turbo vacuum control and started trying to check things. Connected a vacuum gauge on the supply side and the vacuum appears steady so I don't think there is a leak on the supply side or vacuum tank. I removed the vacuum line from the part labelled Vacuum box (15) on the parts diagram and the droning/whining noise stops. I connected a syringe to the Vacuum box and as i draw a vacuum the noise returns. Turned the engine off and used the syringe to draw a vacuum while feeling the actuator arm under the vacuum box and the arms moves/returns freely when a vacuum is applied/released. I can't work out what this vacuum box operates. The actuator arm passes down through the exhaust manifold and is connected to the turbo. Can anyone tell me what this does or suggest any next steps to try and diagnose the problem? Thanks Jim

Thanks Dave

Hi Dave, there are a couple of dealers in my area but I've not used either before so choose the nearest one... I rang BMW UK customer service yesterday and the guy I spoke with explained that the decision lay with BMW warranty goodwill team rather that customer service but he did say that the goodwill team look favourably at cases relating to recall work. He rang the dealer while I was on hold and then said the dealer would call me today with an update. The dealer has just called to say they are fitting a new inlet manifold and the work is covered by BMW UK goodwill warranty 🙂 Relieved to be getting my car back in the state it was in before they did the recall work.

Today I spoke to a really helpful guy at the dealers where I bought the car and thought I'd share in case anyone else has similar issues. The guy I spoke with used to work for BMW and told me that BMW regularly provide a replacement inlet manifold as part of the EGR recall as it's not uncommon for manifold to be damaged/leak. The dealer who carried out my recall has not provided any update for two days so chased them and finally got a text message saying they are "still awaiting a reply from the warranty team at BMW in relation to goodwill" Emailed BMW UK customer service just now telling them the customer service provided by my local dealer is appalling and asking them to resolve the matter asap. All I want is my car back in the condition it was in before they carried out the recall work. Not much to ask in my opinion.

Thanks Dave I'm hoping they will do the right thing. I don't expect them to admit liability, as they made a safe car unsafe, but I do expect them to return my car to the condition it was in before they worked on it. I'll ask for the work schedule - good tip thanks.

Hi, new to the forum and hoping for some advice from the gurus. I recently took my 2012 X1 25D to a local dealer to have the EGR valve recall work carried out. Got the car back and everything seemed fine but after not a lot of use (100 to 200 miles) I noticed a smell of burning oil in the cabin. This disappeared overnight and couldn't see any obvious leaks. After that there was a smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin - enough to need to have the windows open while driving. Took it back to the dealer and they are claiming it is nothing to do with the recall work they carried out, that the inlet manifold has a leak and needs replacing. The car had no issues before they worked on it, has only done 46,000 miles and has been well looked after. Seems rather unlikely that the manifold coincidently started leaking shortly after they worked on the engine. I believe the inlet manifold is plastic (?) and I suspect they damaged something while working on the car. When I said I would take the car for an independent inspection they immediately offered to contact BMW UK to see what they suggested. I'm preparing myself for the continued "not out fault" proclamation and will collect it and take it elsewhere for inspection and repair if necessary. Would welcome any thoughts or advice. Thanks