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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

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Bumpy
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by Bumpy » Tue Feb 12, 2019 5:20 am

I'm in Canada and I don't recall any discussion here about the Recall Campaign # 2017 - 470.
It appears to affect vehicles equipped with a 6 cylinder N52K or N52T engines.

It has been going on for quite a while, starting in Nov 2017 with a notification of fault, replacement delayed due to part shortage.
Parts became available in August 2018 and when I inquired to book a service appointment was told that the next available appointment was in February 2019 (!!!) That's 6 months even though parts were apparently available.
The Service Person recommended that as a February appointment would probably be problematic, because the Zed would most likely be in winter storage, and if I did choose to drive in February, snow and slush could complicate road conditions on such a low clearance car.
Her recommendation was to wait til February to book an appointment in the Spring. I did that today and am scheduled for April 15 20019.

I have no problems or disputes with my dealership. I can only speak very positively about their treatment of any concern I have had and have provided me with many incentives / benefits of dealing with them. I'm posting this to discover if any Z4 Forumsters are aware of this recall / issue.

According to the recall letter this is "What could happen" ?

The PVC blow-by heater incorporates a heating element, which is designed to prevent the PVC valve from freezing in cold ambient temperatures, due to condensation that can form in the PVC system during engine operation. The subject PVC blow-by heater could overheat due to component production inconsistencies, which could result in a short in the heating element, caused by a build up of moisture in the associated electrical components.

If the PVC blow-by heater overheats, the surrounding plastics could melt and potentially cause a fire, which could increase the risk of injury and / or damage to property.

This potential overheating of the PVC blow-by heater typically occurs while the vehicle is being driven, however it is possible that this could also occur after the vehicle has been parked, with the engine turned off. (The next sentence is underlined ) For this reason, BMW recommends parking your vehicle outdoors until the recall repair has been performed.

If the PVC blow-by heater fails the driver will, in most cases, be informed by illumination of a warning telltale in the instrument cluster.


So fellow Z4 Formsters, at least consider this as a FYI to be aware of. If you hear of any fellow enthusiasts that have experienced this condition, please pass on this information. It does appear to be more prevalent in colder climates, but Canada isn't that much more extreme than many areas covered by the Forum. ie Cold enough to snow ! Maybe a PVC blow-by heater is one of those local BMW design accommodations limited to cars destined for certain geographical areas ? I don't know. But I wasn't prepared for such a long delay for this repair. And I wasn't prepared to leave my Zed parked outside for the better part of 21 months.

Please note that any BMW model with the previously identified N52 engines are included in this recall.

I hope this helps
Cheers from Canada
Bumpy

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srhutch
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by srhutch » Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:50 am

April 15 20019, now that is a long wait :lol:
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ph001
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by ph001 » Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:42 am

I wonder if the PVC heater is actually a PCV heater (positive crankcase vantilation). If so I’d place a small bet that it’s not fitted to UK cars.
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by Smartbear » Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:45 pm

ph001 wrote: Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:42 am I wonder if the PVC heater is actually a PCV heater (positive crankcase vantilation). If so I’d place a small bet that it’s not fitted to UK cars.
I don’t think it is, i seem to remember it’s for cold climate countries only as the low temps stop the oil vapour mist from travelling through the engines breather system correctly :thumbsup:
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ph001
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by ph001 » Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:56 pm

Sounds about right. PVC heater would come in handy when getting into my weekend attire though....
pvc.jpg
pvc.jpg (73.36 KiB) Viewed 2407 times
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Bumpy
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by Bumpy » Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:47 pm

ph001 wrote: Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:56 pm Sounds about right. PVC heater would come in handy when getting into my weekend attire though....

pvc.jpg
Calling "it' a PVC Heater is a new one on me.
I'll mention this to the Wife. She knows so much more than me.
I do try to learn something new every day.
Being from the New World posting on a Forum populated from over the Pond,
I was bound to have days like this.
I say "Vive La Difference " :)

Bumpy

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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by Piper1 » Wed Feb 13, 2019 3:44 pm

03 Z4 2.5i
ESS VT1, Racing Dynamics SS headers ceramic coated, Full Super Sprint system, 4.10:1 LSD, K Sport BBK, Koni yellow/eibach combo, and lots of other bits
07 e86 3.0si stock for the moment

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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by DSCOFF » Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:36 pm

I think the PCV heater valve might be fitted to some UK cars. My (07) 3.0si Coupe experienced the very issue Bumpy is describing.
There is no UK recall for this problem - BMW( UK)
were ‘ very supportive’.
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ph001
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by ph001 » Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:31 pm

Still have the car? Can you post a pic?
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by DSCOFF » Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:40 pm

Yes. I do still have the car and which was fully repaired by BMW and after a full investigation.
The damage was to the wiring loom - located beneath the inlet manifold.
I understood this to be related to the PCV.
BMW(UK) made a good will gesture - As ‘could not dertermine whether this might be a manufacturing
Melted PCV wiring. N52 Engine.
Melted PCV wiring. N52 Engine.
A51126A2-1662-4AA8-AC77-A3441809B64C.jpeg (231.66 KiB) Viewed 2201 times
defect’.
E86 Sport. Ruby Black/Red Leather, ZHP, Stubby, LED sidelights etc.SOLD

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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by DSCOFF » Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:44 pm

Bl**dy typos!!! Hope that made sense...
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Recall - Engine PCV Blow-by Heater N52K or N52T Engine

Post by g3org3y » Sun Feb 28, 2021 6:49 pm

Just to resurrect this thread...yes, this is a thing as it happened on my E91 this morning.

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Info here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/top ... &t=1919270

HTH anyone researching this issue.
2007 Z4 3.0Si Sport. Manual, Montego Blue :driving:

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