EGR cooler recall

[Cadwell Parker]

I had the letter notifying me of the new recall on my car. It had its original cooler replaced 4 years ago shortly before my ownership. I hadn't been noticing and symptoms so was happy to just keep an eye on the coolant level and be aware of any smell of fumes and see what developed. The dealer started sending emails gradually increasing in urgency before ringing to invite me in so I arranged an appointment for this week with the inclusion of a courtesy car.

There was no mention in the letter about any ECU software update being included with the recall although some others on here seem to have had one ( @Neilos100 @Percha?) In conversation with the dealer on the phone they confirmed there was no need to update my ECU which was a relief as I didn't want to loose my remap. I neglected to ask why mine didn't need it. Maybe it's only pre lci cars...?

Anyway I got the car back yesterday and all seems well, remap still intact 🙂

I'll keep an eye on the coolant level over the next few days in case any air got left I  the system.

The courtesy car was an X4 2.0d M-Sport with just over 5000 miles on the clock. Not really my thing at all but but it was nice to get to play with something different and sample some up to date technology.

[Andrew]

Did the courtesy car come with a brown paper bag to put over your head while driving it?😆

 

[Percha]

@Cadwell ParkerMine was EGR + Cooler replacement (BorgWarner, looked to be all one unit), no ECU SW update in the end, even though I had it checked/inspected I think the previous year.

My wifes 116D also went in for the same recall, again both EGR + Cooler was replaced for new, and coolant topped up. It had actually been using a little coolant every few months, which I hope was actually via the EGR Cooler as I couldnt see any visible signs of it leaking and it was such a small amount. I am now just going to keep an eye on it for peace of mind and hope it was that.

I have good experience both times with BMW, no courtesy car as I drop off with my bike in the boot and ride home and back to collect it. Both cars needed a few minor bits done anyway (fuel filter on mine, and brake fluid change on my wifes).

[Cadwell Parker]

3 hours ago, Andrew said:

Did the courtesy car come with a brown paper bag to put over your head while driving it?😆

 

Sadly not 😆  Our daughter called it a 'mum car'.

[Andrew]

7 hours ago, Cadwell Parker said:

Sadly not 😆  Our daughter called it a 'mum car'.

Footballers wives car more like 🤭

[0011718]

I had the egr cooler replaced today on my 2014 F11 520d. On checking the car when I got home I noticed there is a lot of space now at the front of the engine and the rubber hoses that were there have now been removed? I thought these were for the air con?

Can anyone confirm that they have had their pipes removed? It's the black ones in this photo at front of the engine.

[Cadwell Parker]

This is my 530d after its recent recall.

The pipes are still there. They definitely look like air con pipes. Is your air con still working?

[0011718]

Sorry for not getting back sooner as not been well but now all sorted. Apparently they were damaged during the egr cooler replacement and because they were so busy the cooler work was carried over to Saturday. They couldn't complete the a/c as didn't have the parts and the technician forgot to pass on the info. 

[Bavarian Cortina Fan]

*bump* 

I had this recall back in September (520d pre LCI) 

Prior to the new EGR, it had mega fuel economy.  Consistent low 60s on my long motorway commute. Steady cruising never over 80mph. Need my licence…

Hovers around high 40s/ Low 50s now - that’s like a 15% drop. same driver, same commute, same traffic, so it has to be that EGR. I was wondering if the recall involved a reflash at the dealer to cause this?

So im mulling over an Indy reflash to switch off the EGR, not for power gains, and to see see if the economy returns. 
 

My worry would be the consequences of higher combustion temperatures without EGR (whole point of the cooler is cool exhaust gases before spitting them into the engine).

Also hearing rumours that EGR delete has to be matched with DPF delete???

 

Any comments on these points ?

[Cadwell Parker]

19 hours ago, Bavarian Cortina Fan said:

Any comments on these points ?

I'd read about cars getting an ECU update as part of this recall. When I had mine done I asked the dealer if they'd include that as my car has been remapped (reflashed) and I wanted to keep it that way. They said some cars would get the ECU update but mine didn't need it. I didn't ask what the deciding factor was. After the recall my car is returning the same kind of fuel economy as before. I'm guessing yours has been updated and that's what's causing the drop in mpg. If you still have your recall notice it might say on there whether an ECU update was included. You could ask the dealer to confirm exactly what was done. If they didn't update the ECU there might be something wrong with the EGR replacement which needs looking into.

Edited April 21, 2023 by Cadwell Parker

[Bavarian Cortina Fan]

Thanks CP.

No signs of any other issues with the new EGR (leaks, coolant ok etc) so I think it’s software related, hence my idea of a remap.

Anybody else experienced this mpg phenomena?

Anybody have any advice ref reputable remaps on N47? Seems to be a fad for removable dongle type hardware, rather than just re-flashing the old unit.

 I’m just concerned ref potential higher operating temperatures with EGR switched off in the remap.

[Greenfingers]

My wife's 320d (b47) was recalled for the 'EGR software update' late last year and the cooler had already been replaced under the previous recall. No immediately apparent performance difference, but it has since been throwing EGR/MAF/air pressure codes at random intervals. I thought I had fixed it a while back after clearing a blocked exhaust pressure sensor pipe, but when the drivetrain warning came back last week, I decided it was time to clean the EGR valve along with the part of the intake manifold where the soot deposits tend to be worst (at the junction with the EGR pipe). I've done the inlet manifolds on 2 n57s and 1 m57 before, so had an idea what to expect.

I did the job yesterday and actually this one wasn't too bad, which in a way is disappointing, but it has left me wondering if the BMW 'software update' has resulted in a more sensitive system. BMW said the update was to enable closer monitoring of the EGR and I suspect this involves more constraints on the normal operating parameters, so that fault codes are generated when smaller deviations are detected.

In any case, if these codes reappear, my next plan of action is to get the EGR and swirl flaps deleted. This is probably the easiest way to prevent any future soot problems and if done in conjunction with a remap, will give you a much more driveable car and significantly better mpg. I know a guy near Milton Keynes who specialises in BMWs and has remapped 3 vehicles for me - all with excellent, problem free results  My Xdrive 530d now produces 325bhp/700NM and returns 40mpg from everyday driving with no more soot deposits.

FYI Bavarian, disabling EGR reduces air intake temp and no need for DPF delete.

[Bavarian Cortina Fan]

Thanks green fingers

Reputable remaps seem to be around £500, that takes a lot of fuel saving to break even…

[Andy5150]

Interesting reading this thread, I had my F11 (2015 B47 520d) in for the recall at Jardine Milton Keynes back in December. They asked if I had a) a remap and b) an update to the idrive in the car when they called to confirm the vehicle was going to the work workshop. As I had neither modification I guess this simplified the process. 
 

So for me it was just a simple software update, no hardware changes. From what I recall without checking my service history, the EGR replacement(s) were carried out back in 2017-18 so perhaps they were too recent to warrant another replacement?

Could I tell any difference to the car after the software update? I don’t think so to be honest. I kidded myself that it was a little bit more responsive but to be honest its smoothness and responsiveness are so sensitive to weather conditions that it changes from day to day anyway! As an aside, does anyone else find this with the 5?

 

So all in all the whole recall was kind of something and nothing in the end. One thing that Jardine made very clear is that whilst they would pick up the car from home, they absolutely wouldn’t give me a loan car for the day as they’re apparently not offered for recalls. I though that seemed a bit mean and clearly isn’t a universal policy as others here had been given a courtesy car for the day it seems.

Not sure if my experience of the recall is consistent with others but all in all it was pretty painless and I was impressed with the fact that Jardine sent me a video overall health check report which was rather in depth and gave the car a clean bill of health. Nice!

[BobA]

5 hours ago, Andy5150 said:

One thing that Jardine made very clear is that whilst they would pick up the car from home, they absolutely wouldn’t give me a loan car for the day as they’re apparently not offered for recalls. I thought that seemed a bit mean and clearly isn’t a universal policy as others here had been given a courtesy car for the day it seems.

I think the courtesy cars are really down to the individual dealer and just depend on how many they happen to have available (and their view on customer care). Not a cost BMW cover. When mine was in the service manager commented that it’s a bit of a loss maker for them as it takes a lot longer on average than BMW allow for it once you include a few software update failures and cluttering up the workshop and kit while BMW only cover the bare cost of a single software flash so not their favourite job. (My dealer gave me a courtesy car though 😉).

Edited April 30, 2023 by BobA

[bee]

I have just had a BMW recall letter regarding my LCI 520d F11. It has had two EGRs replaced in the past following dealer visits but these were just precautionary replacements - never experienced and leaks/overheating I was aware of. I subsequently had the software update too.

The new letter says they are doing another round of EGR replacements and I will be contacted in due course but in the meantime they are offering a safety check at the dealer to ensure all is well!

Interestingly, they say they will continue monitoring and warrant the EGR for 15yrs (not clear whether this means until the car is 15 yrs old) including all parts/labour 😉

[Andrew]

My dad got similar for the B47 in his G01.

They are clearly sh!tting themselves over this one and want to make sure all affected cars are sorted.

[VPCAPTAIN]

15 year warranty on new EGR cooler they fit

[Bavarian Cortina Fan]

Wow this must be costing BMW a fortune. It’s pretty poor that they didn’t resolve this with the 1st recall, and quite worrying.

Possibly they’re paranoid about USA litigation, but then again, I didn’t think they sold diesel BMWs in the USA?

in my understanding the root cause of the EGR failure/fire was very high under bonnet temperature caused by very specific circumstances

when the car is left idling for prolonged periods (eg a police incident where the engine is idling as all lights are on etc) and then driven really hard, (eg a police high speed chase) causing the EGR to fail, leak & combust. This resulted in the unfortunate police fatality, which lead to most police forces switch from bmw.

I guess as long as that’s not your driving pattern, then it’s relatively low risk…

We have to assume that the previous recalls have all offered some improvement to EGR coolers, as BMW must have tested the revised parts to ensure a new target is achieved. 

 

 

[HandyAndy]

Out of curiosity with my F11 being a former Kent car, I just ran the recall check to find 0011350700 and 001158600 shown as outstanding . No idea what they're related to though...

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by HandyAndy

[Bavarian Cortina Fan]

Worth a call to the dealer and getting it done

its free and they’ll do a vehicle health check which will warn of forthcoming issues

No car manufacturer issues a recall unless they absolutely have to, as it’s expensive and bad PR, so I would get them done.

[HandyAndy]

When I get a chance I plan on popping into the local BMW filiale for a check.... failing that I'm back in the country for a few days shortly so I may stop by the local stealer then.

DVSA reports the only two possible cover cooler and airbag, both being freebies 😜

[davyayr]

Hi all

Just joined and already have a question.

Car is a 2015 F10 and has about 115k miles.

Early 2023, I received a letter about getting the EGR software updated. Done in October. (First slot dealer had available apparently).

Couple of days ago I received another letter from BMW about getting the EGR Cooler getting replaced. Not sure if this as a result of something found during the software update. I was never told anything by dealer.

In the letter, it says a "software based  protective function" was installed in my vehicle, designed to monitor the performance of the EGR Cooler and Check Control messages to look out for.

It also gives several symptoms to look out for. 5 in total in my letter.

Only one I suspect I might have is slight loss of power and reduced MPG.

The scary bit is the comment that its to avoid catastrophic engine failure. 🫨🫨

Has anyone had a "Catastrophic Engine Failure" or know of one and did BMW cover the full cost of a new (replacement) engine.

[davyayr]

On 09/08/2023 at 10:00, HandyAndy said:

Out of curiosity with my F11 being a former Kent car, I just ran the recall check to find 0011350700 and 001158600 shown as outstanding . No idea what they're related to though...

 

First code is for the EGR software update and cooler replacement. Second code is for the drivers airbag. Metal particles possibly in airbag.

[HandyAndy]

 

11 hours ago, davyayr said:

First code is for the EGR software update and cooler replacement. Second code is for the drivers airbag. Metal particles possibly in airbag.

Interesting to know... thanks.