2004 BMW X3 Engine cooling Problems

“I have a 2004 330ci with a 6 spd transmission. This has happened in the past but this past weekend my car was in idle in traffic. My vehicle would do rough idling and the engine RPM would dip then surge eventually leading the car to lose engine power and die. This can be a safety concern when there is a possibly of someone rear ending you if the car just loses engine power. It's not a human problem but engine defect.”

“Dear NHTSA, I am writing today to tell you my personal epxerience with my car. I bought a brand new Bmw 330ci on july 18, 2003. One week after the purchase, the transmission stopped to engage when I start up the car. After I brought it in for a fix, I was told it was fixed. Two months later, the same transmission problem came back again, and it was diagnosed to need replacement. In december 2003, the transmission is replaced after a few month's waiting for the new transmission. In may 2004, the car's engine stopped in traffic. And Bmw told me it can not be diagnosed. …”

“August 1, 2010 took car to local Bmw dealership northpoint to have air conditioner checked prior to 100,0000 mile warranty expiring. Told by dealership could not repeat diagnosis of why air was not cooling. On 11-15-2010 at 107,215 after warranty has expired a 3rd party diagnosed car as needing a evaporator coil which is a $2000-$2500 replacement. In addition to another problem of the engine burning and leaking oil which is $6000 to replace.”

“1. No advance warning. 2. Failure of pcv valve system, with resulting immediate consumption of engine oil through combustion process. Engine stalls and vehicle is brought to complete stop. The failure has occurred three times in the past 3 years. 3. Pcv related hardware replaced in first incident, with claim that redesign would prevent recurrence. Same in second and third incident. This is not only an inconvenient problem, it is also safety related, as the problem can result in the vehicle being immobilized in traffic. …”

“Failure of crankcase ventilation valve in 2004 3 series Bmw. This failure was caused by moisture build up in the valve, which then froze at an extremely cold temperature, causing the engine to seize. Apparently, Bmw has known about this problem, as the replacement valve is re-engineered . Apparently, this problem only occurs in the six cylinder engine, at extremely low temperature, and in cars which are used only in short trips . The car has been down for over two weeks, awaiting parts.”