Hi,

I'm relatively new and have a problem with my 525d e61. I have looked to see a post that may contain this, but can't find one.

The car has done 71k miles now (10k being mine in 5 months). It has just had a thorough service (oil, main drive belt, and vehicle inspection, so lots of new bits and bobs - at a fine BMW main dealer price!), and i mentioned this problem which they have looked for (twice) but no luck. I pointed once to the transmission and once to possible software, although latest service says check for software updates, so I presume that is all fine.

The symptoms:
It happens with no obvious pattern, but on average every 500 miles. I become aware of the engine note gradually becoming intrusive in the form of a low groaning/booming noise, no grinding though, which can be heard with the radio off, or on quietly. Fuel consumption changes visibly on the miles to next fill, dropping quite significantly and quickly until it levels out, and gear changes (auto) become delayed, the car waiting for higher revs as if something is dragging and causing more load/later changes. It can continue for as much as 70miles and gradually fades and disappears, car becoming normal again, and mpgs rise. If I change mnually, this seems to make it pass quicker, but not really sure. If it I pull up while this is happening, the car seems to be very hot, with an unusual smell, a little like old-fashioned clutch smell we knew when we were young(!). Stopping and starting the engine does not cure the problem.

BMW technicians first of all reckoned they detected something in the transmission, but weren't really sure. The second time I asked them to investigate they reckoned a faulty starter and wanted to change it. I couldn't believe that it was that as it seems perfect in every way so have put that on hold.

I wondered if anyone has had similar experiences or any clever fellow out there may know what is going on. It really spoils the feelings I have towards the car.

Thanks for any help

 

What year is the car? Does it have a diesel particulate filter?
If yes, then it will be that regenerating. It does it between every 180 to 1,200 miles. When it does it it will use the S program for the throttle map and gear changes (for automatics). Throttle response on a light throttle may be a bit sluggish and if you turn the car off while it's in the middle of doing it you may hear a sizzling noise from the exhaust. That's because it gets very hot while regenerating (600C). Should only do it for about 10 to 15 minutes every 180 to 1,200 miles (depending on when it thinks it needs to do it).
How do I know this? Well, my car has a problem and the dealer thought it might be to do with the particulate filter. He showed me the BMW bulletin that said all of the above was normal behaviour. Unfortunately for me, that didn't solve my issue but it should solve your mystery. BMW will not do anything if it does as per this bulletin.

 

No, it won't. If you turn off while it is regenerating, it will continue where it left off when you restart it.
Do you get any stuttering or delayed throttle response on a slight throttle while it's doing it? That's my problem and I think it's basically trying to regenerate the DPF all the time rather than just when it needs to. About once every 3 or 4 weeks my car suddenly sounds like it's got a hole in the exhaust - is that the noise you get?

 

Haven't noticed delayed throttle or stuttering, but will take note. Yes hole in the exhaust is it exactly. Mine does it more often than 3/4 weeks, I reckon once every tank full generally, which works out every 500 miles. What is DPF?

Thanks for your reply, makes me feel less alone (aorry to be dramatic!)

 

Guys,

Whilst on the subject of DPF, are they fitted to all E61 diesels or say LCI onward, my July 2005 535d has covered about 3k miles so far and I don't think I've seen the symptoms mentioned.

thanks

carlo

 

DPF = Diesel Particulate Filter.
The stuttering and juddering I mentioned is the problem I have with my car (and one other person) and I'm trying to see if it is related to the DPF regenerating. It would be helpful when your one next does it if you can come on and off the throttle gently and see how it reacts. If yours is fine then I know it's nothing to do with the DPF.

Re every 3/4 weeks - I tend to do about 1,000 to 1,500 miles a month. When I was towing a caravan recently it did it once on the journey down there and once on the way back. I'd probably driven only a couple of hundred miles in between. It did it again last night and I've probably used about a tank full of diesel since the last time.

According to the BMW bulletin, they were fitted on 525d and 530d from March 2004 onwards. The bulletin did specifically name the 525d and 530d as showing these symptoms so I guess the 535d doesn't. CarloTT - your experience seems to bear this out.

Gravissima - what year is your car?

 

Hi Gravissima!
I had 525dA E60 from 2005 with Diesel particular filter (DPF). She made regeneration average 750 - 1000 km with very similar symptoms as you describe,
so no need to worry (I got the car as brand new and I drove her 3 years and 85000 kms, I noticed every regeneration during those years ).

Currently I have LCI 520dA (1 month old), and the DPF regeration is very hard to notice in that car. Maybe later when I know her better...

Best Regards,
Pekka