XSeries-forum

Had our X3 for a few weeks now and a couple of annoying foibles have come to light, I'd welcome thoughts and ideas if anyone has them. It's a 2007 2.0d SE, 55k, FSH and new star rated tyres all round.

First one...at 1400 to 1800 rpm I get a little 'misfire' which is most noticible in the lower gears accelerating at normal traffic speeds. Beyond 3rd gear it can't be noticed. Its rpm related and not road speed related.

The second is difficulty engaging first or reverse gears when stationary especially when cold.  There's no crunching, no jolting no clutch slip just difficult to put into gear. Engine not running it goes into gear, engine running it will only go in if I select third, second then first or reverse. I've got into the habit of starting the car with the clutch in and the gear selected. Selecting first just before stopping eg at a junction also helps. Once warm or hot the gears select fine

Thanks all

What is the history of the car?

First checks I would do are:

Have the swirl flaps been removed?
How clean is the EGR?
Has it had the fuel filter changed?
Have you checked it is getting to temperature via hidden computer?


I think the gear issue is just a BMW manual gearbox trait. My old 2.0d sometimes seemed stiff going into first. All I did was put it in neutral and release clutch pedal then it would work.

thanks for the reply.

the first four points - no idea the car has full SH main dealer then BMW independent. The 'misfire' occurs at all temperatures and is no better or worse hot or cold. I've had EGR issues on other diesels and the symptoms are different, EGR problems led to loss of power and 'bogging', this is a definite miss as it goes up the rev range.

the gear selecting issue only happens when the engine is cold. It is reluctant to go into first or reverse from neutral but will go in if I select second then first the reverse (clutch in all the time)

Well guess there's not much interest but just in case there is I have a follow up.

The supplying dealer has been terrific. Initially he was stumped so contacted a gearbox specialist who suggested it could be early signs of DMF failure. So changed the DMF and clutch and hey presto it's great. What's more he found a dodgy gasket and duff reversing sensor. All changed. He can't diagnose the missing though as nothing shows up on the OBD2.

2 out of 3 ain't bad in my books and I think I can live with the SLIGHT misfire unless it gets worse.

So there we are - difficulty getting into first and reverse when could could be DMF issues.

About the only thing I can think of for a diesel misfire is a bad electrical connection to an injector, especially as it's across the temperature and rev range.  It's been that in the X5 before, hence wondering it it might be the same for you.

Could just be a bad loom with an intermittent pin on one of the plugs between the injector and controller.  You could ask them to swap out the injector loom/harness and see if that cures it?  It is a quick job if the E53 was anything to go by.  A few plugs and half a dozen screws.