2009 E70 3.0D XDrive cutting out

[Exodus61]

After four years of using this site to fix the various maladies on my X5 I've finally been stumped for a solution and now need some help. I've searched as best I can but can't find a solution. It's got 120k miles on it but has been well looked after.

Driving normally in town, raining but otherwise nothing unusual and it just cut out. Engine stopped and refused to re-start. 1/4 + tank of fuel and no warning lights. After approx 20 minutes it suddenly started and I managed to get it to a local specialist.
Interrogation of the car showed a fault code on all six injectors. Which he reckons is not the cause, his view was that all six don't suddenly stop working simultaneously and then start working again.
Went through the following possibilities;
1. Faulty fuel supply. Filter was checked and fine. Then thought it might be the transfer between the two halves of the tank, no fault codes on HP or LP fuel line sensors so he discounted Fuel supply.
2. Replaced the plastic bulkhead under the bonnet incase it was water getting onto the injectors.
3. Checked the ECU box - no evidence of water ingress.

Specialists advice was to drive it again as once the faults were cleared they didn't come back.

Today, 300 km later it cut out again. This time there is 3/4 tank of fuel. And after 20 minutes it started again.

Right now I am at a complete loss, the car is back with the specialist but any help would be really appreciated.
Replacing the Injectors here in Norway is going to be £3000 so any alternative that might work has to be a good idea

THanks

[Alan Gunn]

I had a very similar problem but on my 320d.
Cant remember exactly what the code reader said.
Cut a long one short it was a this wire under the engine cover near the back fed the injectors.
It had over time rubbed on the No4 steel injector pipe and shorted out all injectors.
Just put a cloth under the wires at first and the car started first turn so i then wrapper them one by one with self-amalgamating tape.
Was a temp fix but 4 years later still going strong.
Worth lifting the covers and the wires to the injectors and turning the key.

[Exodus61]

Thanks - it makes sense, just trying to locate the right wire I guess.

[Alan Gunn]

There is a bunch of them that run in a track along the injectors but open over the back of the engine if you get what i mean.
It was one going over the back touching the steel injector pipe.
You will see what i mean when you get the engine covers off.
I never really looked to close as i could see dust on the pipe and just lifted the wires up off the steel and away it went and a quick tape up job done as a temp but got forgotten about as all has been well since lol.

[Exodus61]

Update; Specialist has read the fault codes and no surprise but they are the same as last time. All six injectors have faults reported at the same time. Nothing else of note reported.

Car starts and runs normally.

He has called BMW support and they, so far, have no ideas.

He still can't belief that all injectors are faulty simultaneously and now all work normally.

He has checked the wiring and can't find any shorts or obvious corrosion.

And I'm at a complete loss. If anyone knows anything or knows anyone I can call, please let me know. Right now I'm stuck with at 2 tonne piece of scrap I can't trust to drive and can't fix.

The options are mostly to replace all the injectors for £3k, then maybe an ECU for £1.5k and no guarantee of success.

Appreciate any suggestions.

[Alan Gunn]

I couldn't really see any damage to the wires but on lifting them off the steel pipe the car started and not had a problem since.
When it happened my Audi was in the garage (bmw indi) and i went to get my tool's out of it.
I told him the fault codes (something like 4011 4021 4031 4041 on a 4 pot) and he just said "it's a wire shorting" and walked off well he is a grumpy b@st@rd lol but he was right in my case anyway.

[Exodus61]

I'll get the car back on Monday and give it a proper investigation. Whilst the indie is a good bloke I suspect you're right in that the issue may not be apparent and could be inside the loom

Just have to remember to disconnect the battery before I get started so I don't end up with injectors that need re-coding

[Alan Gunn]

I just lifted them and taped never thought about the battery but i did have a cloth over the steel pipes.

[Exodus61]

Alan, thanks for the info, I pulled the intake manifold of yesterday and checked the wires. No damage I could see anywhere. Might try replacing the part of the loom to be sure. Although I'm getting to the point that I'm just going to take to an auction and sell if for whatever I can get.

The X5 has been the best and worst car I've owned, it's great to drive but after four years of fixing it I might just have had enough.

Cheers

[AdamsX5]

[quote="Exodus61"]
Alan, thanks for the info, I pulled the intake manifold of yesterday and checked the wires. No damage I could see anywhere. Might try replacing the part of the loom to be sure. Although I'm getting to the point that I'm just going to take to an auction and sell if for whatever I can get.

The X5 has been the best and worst car I've owned, it's great to drive but after four years of fixing it I might just have had enough.

Cheers
[/quote]
Four years of fixing ... what other issues have you had with car.? I’ve just about to take delivery of similar age E70.

Just found this link

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showt ... 739?page=4

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[Exodus61]

Thanks Adam.
Couple of options there to look at.

Reckon I've spent £8k on running it in 4 years. Includes Tyres but not fuel or servicing.
With depreciation of £2k per year it's cost me £16k to own. Which for me is a lot.
And now I've got to get it home and sell it which will cost another £2k - my choice but selling it where I am is not an option, it's worth nothing in Norway, esp as it's the wrong side driver.

So Far;

Electric Parking Brake - replaced twice. £2.5k
Rear Suspension air bags needed replacing £500
Headlight washer - requires removal of front bumper £300
Screen-wash motor - requires removal of front wing. £300
Glow Plugs and Actuator Relay £250
A/C Condenser - £300
Battery replaced and coded £200
Front Brake discs and pads - twice. The discs warped for no apparent reason £600
EGR needed removing and cleaning - £250
Scuttle cover set - £200
And now the engine electrical gremlin that leaves me stranded with no notice as it just cuts out.

And then there is the tyres that only last 12k and cost over £1k per set - 3 sets I think in 4 years.
Locking wheel nuts replaced - some idiot in a tyre shop used a windy gun on them, apparently BMW make theirs out of cheese - £200 to get them off in a local welding shop and now replaced with McGuard nuts

Took out the Swirl Flaps - not considered really necessary in the 3.0sd model but I wanted to run it to high mileage.

I've not looked at the issue I have with the steering wheel buttons - randomly re-dials the last number on my phone. I just avoid using the volume button

There is some other stuff but that's the worst of it.

[marti]

Sounds like a fuel pump relay failing to me??, which will throw up all 6 injectors as they are not getting the fuel so throw a code...could be wrong!

[AdamsX5]

[quote="Exodus61"]
Thanks Adam.
Couple of options there to look at.

Reckon I've spent £8k on running it in 4 years. Includes Tyres but not fuel or servicing.
With depreciation of £2k per year it's cost me £16k to own. Which for me is a lot.
And now I've got to get it home and sell it which will cost another £2k - my choice but selling it where I am is not an option, it's worth nothing in Norway, esp as it's the wrong side driver.

So Far;

Electric Parking Brake - replaced twice. £2.5k
Rear Suspension air bags needed replacing £500
Headlight washer - requires removal of front bumper £300
Screen-wash motor - requires removal of front wing. £300
Glow Plugs and Actuator Relay £250
A/C Condenser - £300
Battery replaced and coded £200
Front Brake discs and pads - twice. The discs warped for no apparent reason £600
EGR needed removing and cleaning - £250
Scuttle cover set - £200
And now the engine electrical gremlin that leaves me stranded with no notice as it just cuts out.

And then there is the tyres that only last 12k and cost over £1k per set - 3 sets I think in 4 years.
Locking wheel nuts replaced - some idiot in a tyre shop used a windy gun on them, apparently BMW make theirs out of cheese - £200 to get them off in a local welding shop and now replaced with McGuard nuts

Took out the Swirl Flaps - not considered really necessary in the 3.0sd model but I wanted to run it to high mileage.

I've not looked at the issue I have with the steering wheel buttons - randomly re-dials the last number on my phone. I just avoid using the volume button

There is some other stuff but that's the worst of it.
[/quote]
Now your scaring me[emoji19]
I’m just in dealer buying this thing!


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[Exodus61]

Like I said, Best / worst car I've ever owned. Loved it from the first minute I drove it.
Trying to find a replacement even half as good is going to be difficult.

Mine's at 125k miles now and if you look at the list there are a lot of things that could and will happen to a lot of cars.

Brake discs? Wear and tear?
AC condenser - stone damage?
Glow Plugs - It's a diesel, they all do it.
Battery - ditto

It just comes down to being savvy buying the bits, finding a good indie and having a savings plan  ) ) )

[AdamsX5]

[quote="Exodus61"]
Thanks Adam.
Couple of options there to look at.

Reckon I've spent £8k on running it in 4 years. Includes Tyres but not fuel or servicing.
With depreciation of £2k per year it's cost me £16k to own. Which for me is a lot.
And now I've got to get it home and sell it which will cost another £2k - my choice but selling it where I am is not an option, it's worth nothing in Norway, esp as it's the wrong side driver.

So Far;

Electric Parking Brake - replaced twice. £2.5k
Rear Suspension air bags needed replacing £500
Headlight washer - requires removal of front bumper £300
Screen-wash motor - requires removal of front wing. £300
Glow Plugs and Actuator Relay £250
A/C Condenser - £300
Battery replaced and coded £200
Front Brake discs and pads - twice. The discs warped for no apparent reason £600
EGR needed removing and cleaning - £250
Scuttle cover set - £200
And now the engine electrical gremlin that leaves me stranded with no notice as it just cuts out.

And then there is the tyres that only last 12k and cost over £1k per set - 3 sets I think in 4 years.
Locking wheel nuts replaced - some idiot in a tyre shop used a windy gun on them, apparently BMW make theirs out of cheese - £200 to get them off in a local welding shop and now replaced with McGuard nuts

Took out the Swirl Flaps - not considered really necessary in the 3.0sd model but I wanted to run it to high mileage.

I've not looked at the issue I have with the steering wheel buttons - randomly re-dials the last number on my phone. I just avoid using the volume button

There is some other stuff but that's the worst of it.
[/quote]
You mention the electric parking brake. Is that the button or the P on the gear lever?


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