2011 E70 X5 at 94k

[Jbonly21]

The car is my wife DD, it's been great for the last 3 years. But the last month or so has been a bit pain in the butt. Just sharing my experience. About a month ago the belt broke on me while driving on the freeway, took care of that. Then came the ccv problems and oil leak. I try the ccv fix, replacing the little valve on the valve cover, that didn't work. So I ordered a new valve cover, waiting on it from autohauzaz. I also replaced the oil filter gasket, but it turns out to be the front seal leaking, order that as well. I don't mind doing the work, I am a mechanic but so times it sucks when it's just one problem after another. Sorry had to vent a little.

[pearlpower]

They come in waves, I have learned. Just when you think all is perfect. POW! Happened to all of my cars. Porsche's, Lexus's, etc.... 67 cars in my life, none perfect. Some better than others. Our GX470 has been great in the 13 years of ownership with a few minor things such as radiators, cracked dasj (cheap Lexus plastic). . And crazy as it might sound, my 2013 328i is at 100k miles and has been the most reliable car I have owned. It is now taken apart for rod bearings and timing chain (preventive only). No car is impervious once close to 100k miles. Good luck on your fixes.

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by pearlpower

They come in waves, I have learned. Just when you think all is perfect. POW! Happened to all of my cars. Porsche's, Lexus's, etc.... 67 cars in my life, none perfect. Some better than others. Our GX470 has been great in the 13 years of ownership with a few minor things such as radiators, cracked dasj (cheap Lexus plastic). . And crazy as it might sound, my 2013 328i is at 100k miles and has been the most reliable car I have owned. It is now taken apart for rod bearings and timing chain (preventive only). No car is impervious once close to 100k miles. Good luck on your fixes.

Thanks, the valve cover just showed up. Went with URO, they offer two years warranty I could live with that, the quality seems good.

[Jbonly21]

4 hours later, valve cover is done. The URO VC comes with gasket pre set. That was helpful, the only problem with the VC is all the outer mounting holes are not threaded.

[BXMMMMMW]

My 2011 is at 75k miles and it's scaring the crap out of me. I am not a mechanic, but I can handle a lot of the repairs. However, my upper oil pan gasket just blew and you need a full shop w/ lift just to get to the oil pan. Dealer wants $2800 and I'm still waiting for a quote from my local indie shop. I hate the thought of spending $2k+ just to fix a gasket that shouldn't leak in the first place. It'd be different if it were in a spot where an upgrade could be made at the same time, but this is just to get back to even. I'm venting too. This car is only possible to own as a 2nd vehicle. Luckily my other car is a 2008 Toyota 4Runner.

[smass]

Was the front crank seal leaking? Those can be damaged when the belt comes off. Worst case, pieces of the belt get sucked into the engine and clog the oil pick up. It is good you pulled the valve cover. You would see belt pieces in the chain if you had that issue.

You have now fixed the 2 most common issues with the N55 engine.

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by BXMMMMMW

My 2011 is at 75k miles and it's scaring the crap out of me. I am not a mechanic, but I can handle a lot of the repairs. However, my upper oil pan gasket just blew and you need a full shop w/ lift just to get to the oil pan. Dealer wants $2800 and I'm still waiting for a quote from my local indie shop. I hate the thought of spending $2k+ just to fix a gasket that shouldn't leak in the first place. It'd be different if it were in a spot where an upgrade could be made at the same time, but this is just to get back to even. I'm venting too. This car is only possible to own as a 2nd vehicle. Luckily my other car is a 2008 Toyota 4Runner.

$2800 for oil pan gasket, that's a lot, hope you find a better deal and good luck.

Originally Posted by smassey321

Was the front crank seal leaking? Those can be damaged when the belt comes off. Worst case, pieces of the belt get sucked into the engine and clog the oil pick up. It is good you pulled the valve cover. You would see belt pieces in the chain if you had that issue.

You have now fixed the 2 most common issues with the N55 engine.

The engine looks clean, didn't find anything in the chain. Haven't done the seal, I am still waiting on the parts.

[Jbonly21]

Finally got around to changing my front seal today, and boy was it torn up, and a bitch to getting out.

[bmwx3805]

Originally Posted by Jbonly21

The car is my wife DD, it's been great for the last 3 years. But the last month or so has been a bit pain in the butt. Just sharing my experience. About a month ago the belt broke on me while driving on the freeway, took care of that. Then came the ccv problems and oil leak. I try the ccv fix, replacing the little valve on the valve cover, that didn't work. So I ordered a new valve cover, waiting on it from autohauzaz. I also replaced the oil filter gasket, but it turns out to be the front seal leaking, order that as well. I don't mind doing the work, I am a mechanic but so times it sucks when it's just one problem after another. Sorry had to vent a little.

Is this the n55?

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by bmwx3805

Is this the n55?

Yeah, if your belt breaks this is what next.

[Ryan5034]

Man that front seal looked bad. Why is there so much oil around there, is all that from the leaking seal?

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by Ryan5034

Man that front seal looked bad. Why is there so much oil around there, is all that from the leaking seal?

Yeah, the leak was that bad from the seal.

[Skers 05]

Originally Posted by BXMMMMMW

My 2011 is at 75k miles and it's scaring the crap out of me. I am not a mechanic, but I can handle a lot of the repairs. However, my upper oil pan gasket just blew and you need a full shop w/ lift just to get to the oil pan. Dealer wants $2800 and I'm still waiting for a quote from my local indie shop. I hate the thought of spending $2k+ just to fix a gasket that shouldn't leak in the first place. It'd be different if it were in a spot where an upgrade could be made at the same time, but this is just to get back to even. I'm venting too. This car is only possible to own as a 2nd vehicle. Luckily my other car is a 2008 Toyota 4Runner.

Although a hoist would be ideal to do this. It certainly can be done on the ground with jack stands with a little determination. I did it this way over the course of two days. Time consuming...yes, but certainly better than paying the dealership and also an opportunity to learn something new!