Something's Wrong with My X3 Drivetrain...Ideas?

cohenfive · 12-14-2019, 01:34 PM

I have a 2012 X3 3.5 M sport with 98k miles....Until today it has been pretty flawless. The car exhibited some sort of problem that I can't yet figure out, would love to hear your thoughts.

I drive the car up to the Sierra frequently this time of year. It is normally a pleasure to drive...until today's return trip down the hill. The car started acting very sluggishly, hard to put a finger on it. No fault messages at any time. On climbs, even minor ones, when I had the cruise set (81mph) it could not hold speed..so I turned it off. I had real trouble holding speed on anything other than a descent. It felt like the car when 'holding back' when I tried to accelerate. It would have to downshift a couple of gears to hold speed or to get back to speed, something I have not experienced before. In trying to describe it, 'holding back' on acceleration is the best I can come up with...almost like the turbo is not working or barely. Looks like worse mpg on the trip than normal, which I guess would be expected as the engine was working much harder than normal.

Any thoughts before I bring it in would be much appreciated.

Wgosma · 12-14-2019, 01:43 PM

Look at basic engine stuff first-

Proper combustion requires

- air and fuel delivery
- proper spark

So look at age/condition:

-proper fuel delivery pressure (car has 2 pumps..hi/low pressure)
- carbon buildup can occur on intake valves in your direct injected engine- often shows issues at / around 100K mile mark.
-spark plugs....age.

If you have a scan tool, look for any fault codes.

najnad · 12-16-2019, 07:18 AM

vanos solenoids

TheCoolX3 · 12-16-2019, 08:03 AM

Vanos issues or one hell of a boost leak

Bufalo · 12-16-2019, 08:50 AM

It's possible the plastic charge pipe from the intercooler to the throttle body may have ruptured.

najnad · 12-16-2019, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bufalo

It's possible the plastic charge pipe from the intercooler to the throttle body may have ruptured.

This...check this first

epiphone3 · 12-16-2019, 02:07 PM

It's also possible you were getting the start of limp modes related to higher than normal coolant temperatures if the water pump is starting to fail.

If so, you'd have avoided any warning lamps likely because you are travelling at highway speed and going down hills and lifting and coasting so the temperature didn't go into the yellow warning zone.

I've seen this before. The suggestions above are also worth looking at and fairly easy to investigate.

12-14-2019, 01:34 PM	#1
cohenfive Lieutenant 108 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 space grey dct Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: sf bay area iTrader: (0)	Something's Wrong with My X3 Drivetrain...Ideas? I have a 2012 X3 3.5 M sport with 98k miles....Until today it has been pretty flawless. The car exhibited some sort of problem that I can't yet figure out, would love to hear your thoughts. I drive the car up to the Sierra frequently this time of year. It is normally a pleasure to drive...until today's return trip down the hill. The car started acting very sluggishly, hard to put a finger on it. No fault messages at any time. On climbs, even minor ones, when I had the cruise set (81mph) it could not hold speed..so I turned it off. I had real trouble holding speed on anything other than a descent. It felt like the car when 'holding back' when I tried to accelerate. It would have to downshift a couple of gears to hold speed or to get back to speed, something I have not experienced before. In trying to describe it, 'holding back' on acceleration is the best I can come up with...almost like the turbo is not working or barely. Looks like worse mpg on the trip than normal, which I guess would be expected as the engine was working much harder than normal. Any thoughts before I bring it in would be much appreciated. __________________ 2015 M235i, MW/Bl, all packages 2012 x3 m sport, carbon black, prem, tech, conv, etc evil the following 29'er, specialized carbon stumpjumper s works fsr, trek madone 5.2 nikon d500, d810, d750, 14-24, 24-70, 80-400vr, 500vr
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12-14-2019, 01:43 PM	#2
Wgosma Lieutenant Colonel 806 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Northern Nevada iTrader: (0)	Look at basic engine stuff first- Proper combustion requires - air and fuel delivery - proper spark So look at age/condition: -proper fuel delivery pressure (car has 2 pumps..hi/low pressure) - carbon buildup can occur on intake valves in your direct injected engine- often shows issues at / around 100K mile mark. -spark plugs....age. If you have a scan tool, look for any fault codes. Last edited by Wgosma; 12-14-2019 at 03:09 PM..
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12-16-2019, 07:18 AM	#3
najnad General of the Space Forces 171 Rep 721 Posts Drives: 11 X3 35i M-sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elkridge, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 x40i [0.00] 2011 BMW X3 35i M-s ... [0.00] 2017 BMW 330 GT (Wi ... [0.00]	vanos solenoids __________________ Current: 2020 X5 x40i M-Sport, Arctic Grey Metallic / Ivory White, Executive Package, Luggage Compartment Package, Integral Active Steering, Tow Package, Parking Assist Package, Driving Assist Package, M-Sport brakes, Tux Mats
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12-16-2019, 08:03 AM	#4
TheCoolX3 Lieutenant 174 Rep 540 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X3 35i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2019 Tesla Model X [0.00] 2016 BMW X3 [0.00]	Vanos issues or one hell of a boost leak __________________ 2016 X3 35i \|M-Sport\|Megan Racing Coilovers\|FBO+\|BM3\|Jordan Tuned\|Valvetronic Designs\| 1998 750iL V12\|2017 440i\|2019 991.2 GT3RS Weissach\|2019 Model X\|...and some others Instagram @TheCoolX3
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12-16-2019, 08:50 AM	#5
Bufalo Second Lieutenant 124 Rep 288 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Harrisburg, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW X3 35i [0.00] 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	It's possible the plastic charge pipe from the intercooler to the throttle body may have ruptured.
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12-16-2019, 02:07 PM	#7
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	It's also possible you were getting the start of limp modes related to higher than normal coolant temperatures if the water pump is starting to fail. If so, you'd have avoided any warning lamps likely because you are travelling at highway speed and going down hills and lifting and coasting so the temperature didn't go into the yellow warning zone. I've seen this before. The suggestions above are also worth looking at and fairly easy to investigate.
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