B58 PCV valve failure - replace valve cover

niju321 · 10-20-2023, 01:30 PM

Hi, apologies in advance for the long post.

I am the original owner of a 2019 540i xDrive with approximately 84000 miles. I suppose this is my first real issue with the car--while parked I noticed a rough/erratic idle, check engine light, and drivetrain malfunction warning ("You can continue driving. Reduced power"), accompanied by a loud squealing/whistling sound. I shut the car off immediately and let it sit for a few minutes. On restart, the idle was still rough, I still had the check engine light/drivetrain malfunction, but there was no squealing sound--instead, a large cloud of white/blue smoke (I was in the middle of Manhattan at night so it was hard to tell which)--during the course of my drive home, the smoke disappeared, the idle became completely smooth again, and the drivetrain malfunction/check engine light disappeared.

I called BMW roadside assistance, and eventually got followup from one of their mechanics, who told me there was a catalytic converter fault code and that he was concerned the catalytic converter was "fried." The next day, I started the car to drive straight to the dealer--no smoke, no check engine light, no drivetrain malfunction message, and completely smooth/normal engine operation. The car has been exclusively dealer maintained per CBS intervals (with the exception of transmission/transfer case/differential fluid changes at 60k) and until approximately 350 miles ago, my driving was 95% highway. Since then I have moved to NYC, with much more stop and go traffic, and more idling, though I have made it a point to go on a 40-50 mile highway round trip every couple of weeks at least.

The highlighted codes from the dealer are as follows:
101F01, 120408, 140001, 140010, 140101, 140110, 140201, 140210, 180001, 190F08.

There are also codes 0304D1, 800A01, 800ABE though these were not highlighted.

The dealer is stating there is a problem with the PCV valve, and therefore the entire valve cover must be replaced. From my reading I see that PCV valve issues are a "known" issue with B58 engines, and that the PCV valve is integrated with the valve cover.

My questions are:

-Is PCV valve failure a reasonable diagnosis based on the symptoms and codes described?
-The dealer is NOT recommending catalytic converter replacement, to my relief. I am concerned by the roadside assistance folks telling me the converter is dead, but while it was a higher level tech (not the initial rep who answered the phone) who made this diagnosis, I am hopeful that because there is no more error message/check engine light the converter may actually be OK. Is it possible that they may replace the valve cover thinking everything else is fine, and subsequently tell me I do need to replace the catalytic converter? Or, can the dealer tell from the codes that there is no current catalytic converter fault, just a transient issue?
-I read through the valve cover replacement procedure - 47 pages long! I note it seems to require removal of the VANOS solenoids, as well as ignition coils. Should I ask the dealer to perform any other service in addition to the valve cover, to save on labor costs in the future?

This is not the only issue--I also hit a huge pothole a few days ago with apparent control arm/strut damage, but that is for another thread. Also, I was surprised that despite my BMWCCA membership, no discount was available!

Thanks in advance for your help!

RonronEG · 10-20-2023, 11:43 PM

What you describe is literally textbook B58 PCV failure. Check out SIB110308 for just about everything you need to know about it. That whistling is air being sucked in past your main oil seals which can damage them- cheap part but the amount of work to get to them is astronomical. All the oil you consumed likely was not burned completely and fouled sensors downstream which later got burned up in normal driving.

When a B58 gets to a certain age, you really want to avoid idling it excessively. If you're sitting any longer than 10-15min, turn it off. Very well known issue, indeed.

I wouldn't do any other work unless you're due. Coil packs and VANOS solenoids are light work. Your plugs might not have liked the oil bath and are if they are the original plugs they're probably coming due- consider that. Really that's very light work as well.

niju321 · 10-21-2023, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonronEG

What you describe is literally textbook B58 PCV failure...

Thank you for the detailed and helpful reply! I will have them replace the valve cover and will be mindful of my idling in the future--surprised it is so harmful! Plugs were changed at 60K per CBS but I will hold off on coils for now.

niju321 · 11-17-2023, 06:56 PM

Had the car fixed a few weeks ago--valve cover was replaced and the car is back to running like new. With serendipitous timing, I received a letter today from BMW, indicating that the warranty on the PCV/valve cover is being extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, including a provision for reimbursement for customer pay repairs such as what I did. Looking like a great possibility to get this covered by BMW after all! Anyone else get this letter? Hopefully this goes a long way towards removing one potential worry point with the B58.

admranger · 11-17-2023, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niju321

Had the car fixed a few weeks ago--valve cover was replaced and the car is back to running like new. With serendipitous timing, I received a letter today from BMW, indicating that the warranty on the PCV/valve cover is being extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, including a provision for reimbursement for customer pay repairs such as what I did. Looking like a great possibility to get this covered by BMW after all! Anyone else get this letter? Hopefully this goes a long way towards removing one potential worry point with the B58.

I have not received this letter for the 2019 x3 m40i, but will now await it!

Glad you’ll be getting reimbursed! My guess this is like the active shutters in that it affects emissions so BMW has to cover it or the feds get involved and things get less fun for BMW’s legal team.

ezaircon4jc · 11-20-2023, 06:47 PM

Got the letter today. For some inexplicable reason the letter was addressed to my wife, even though I am the (well, we both are) registered owner and the purchaser of record.

jdavault · 11-29-2023, 07:38 PM

I had a dealership her in phoenix try to take my EVAP isssue (code 190F08 Tank ventilation system: malfunction code) and turn into a $3200 PCV problem. EVAP is not a serious issue ... you can drive forever on an EVAP issue. Another dealership fixed my vent value for $500 and confirmed I had no PCV issue. And if you do actually have a PCV issue .. it cover under limited warranty upto 150k miles ..my car has 53k miles

Tpriest7893 · 12-15-2023, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdavault

I had a dealership her in phoenix try to take my EVAP isssue (code 190F08 Tank ventilation system: malfunction code) and turn into a $3200 PCV problem. EVAP is not a serious issue ... you can drive forever on an EVAP issue. Another dealership fixed my vent value for $500 and confirmed I had no PCV issue. And if you do actually have a PCV issue .. it cover under limited warranty upto 150k miles ..my car has 53k miles

This is good to know. The PCV valve went on my 2012 335i I had before my 540i around 110k miles.

That’s great if bmw covers it till 150k.

10-20-2023, 01:30 PM	#1
niju321 Private First Class 85 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 540i xDrive Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	B58 PCV valve failure - replace valve cover - anything else to do simultaneously? Hi, apologies in advance for the long post. I am the original owner of a 2019 540i xDrive with approximately 84000 miles. I suppose this is my first real issue with the car--while parked I noticed a rough/erratic idle, check engine light, and drivetrain malfunction warning ("You can continue driving. Reduced power"), accompanied by a loud squealing/whistling sound. I shut the car off immediately and let it sit for a few minutes. On restart, the idle was still rough, I still had the check engine light/drivetrain malfunction, but there was no squealing sound--instead, a large cloud of white/blue smoke (I was in the middle of Manhattan at night so it was hard to tell which)--during the course of my drive home, the smoke disappeared, the idle became completely smooth again, and the drivetrain malfunction/check engine light disappeared. I called BMW roadside assistance, and eventually got followup from one of their mechanics, who told me there was a catalytic converter fault code and that he was concerned the catalytic converter was "fried." The next day, I started the car to drive straight to the dealer--no smoke, no check engine light, no drivetrain malfunction message, and completely smooth/normal engine operation. The car has been exclusively dealer maintained per CBS intervals (with the exception of transmission/transfer case/differential fluid changes at 60k) and until approximately 350 miles ago, my driving was 95% highway. Since then I have moved to NYC, with much more stop and go traffic, and more idling, though I have made it a point to go on a 40-50 mile highway round trip every couple of weeks at least. The highlighted codes from the dealer are as follows: 101F01, 120408, 140001, 140010, 140101, 140110, 140201, 140210, 180001, 190F08. There are also codes 0304D1, 800A01, 800ABE though these were not highlighted. The dealer is stating there is a problem with the PCV valve, and therefore the entire valve cover must be replaced. From my reading I see that PCV valve issues are a "known" issue with B58 engines, and that the PCV valve is integrated with the valve cover. My questions are: -Is PCV valve failure a reasonable diagnosis based on the symptoms and codes described? -The dealer is NOT recommending catalytic converter replacement, to my relief. I am concerned by the roadside assistance folks telling me the converter is dead, but while it was a higher level tech (not the initial rep who answered the phone) who made this diagnosis, I am hopeful that because there is no more error message/check engine light the converter may actually be OK. Is it possible that they may replace the valve cover thinking everything else is fine, and subsequently tell me I do need to replace the catalytic converter? Or, can the dealer tell from the codes that there is no current catalytic converter fault, just a transient issue? -I read through the valve cover replacement procedure - 47 pages long! I note it seems to require removal of the VANOS solenoids, as well as ignition coils. Should I ask the dealer to perform any other service in addition to the valve cover, to save on labor costs in the future? This is not the only issue--I also hit a huge pothole a few days ago with apparent control arm/strut damage, but that is for another thread. Also, I was surprised that despite my BMWCCA membership, no discount was available! Thanks in advance for your help!
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10-20-2023, 11:43 PM	#2
RonronEG Lieutenant 336 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	What you describe is literally textbook B58 PCV failure. Check out SIB110308 for just about everything you need to know about it. That whistling is air being sucked in past your main oil seals which can damage them- cheap part but the amount of work to get to them is astronomical. All the oil you consumed likely was not burned completely and fouled sensors downstream which later got burned up in normal driving. When a B58 gets to a certain age, you really want to avoid idling it excessively. If you're sitting any longer than 10-15min, turn it off. Very well known issue, indeed. I wouldn't do any other work unless you're due. Coil packs and VANOS solenoids are light work. Your plugs might not have liked the oil bath and are if they are the original plugs they're probably coming due- consider that. Really that's very light work as well.
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11-17-2023, 06:56 PM	#4
niju321 Private First Class 85 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 540i xDrive Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Had the car fixed a few weeks ago--valve cover was replaced and the car is back to running like new. With serendipitous timing, I received a letter today from BMW, indicating that the warranty on the PCV/valve cover is being extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, including a provision for reimbursement for customer pay repairs such as what I did. Looking like a great possibility to get this covered by BMW after all! Anyone else get this letter? Hopefully this goes a long way towards removing one potential worry point with the B58.
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11-20-2023, 06:47 PM	#6
ezaircon4jc Major General 4484 Rep 5,365 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Got the letter today. For some inexplicable reason the letter was addressed to my wife, even though I am the (well, we both are) registered owner and the purchaser of record.
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11-29-2023, 07:38 PM	#7
jdavault Registered 2 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	Don't get ripped off I had a dealership her in phoenix try to take my EVAP isssue (code 190F08 Tank ventilation system: malfunction code) and turn into a $3200 PCV problem. EVAP is not a serious issue ... you can drive forever on an EVAP issue. Another dealership fixed my vent value for $500 and confirmed I had no PCV issue. And if you do actually have a PCV issue .. it cover under limited warranty upto 150k miles ..my car has 53k miles
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