PCV engine bay fire

G

GJ1

Member
Hi,

Has anyone in the UK experienced a fire due to the PCV short circuiting? This has caused a recall in USA but can't see anything from UK.

"BMW of North America is recalling 184,505 model year 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles -- expanding an earlier recall.
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
What to do
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin May 28, 2019."


This happened to my 3.0si coupe yesterday but the only recalls appear to have happened in USA. Luckily I caught it quick as the car was stationary. Small flame and lots of smoke!
 
Yikes!
I replaced my whole system when I bought mine.
The components looked to be original and the plastic tubing literally disintegrated in my hands.
Had a good look at the valve and while the rubber diaphragm had ruptured I didnt notic any sign of arcing, sparking, melted plastic etc.
Replaced with febi bilstein winter system and its been aiiight for 3years.

Are there any particular conditions which have been identified for susceptibility of shorting?
Is the recall restricted only to cars with original bmw components?
 
Hi Chris D,

I'm really not sure at this moment. Just trying to gather information about this issue. I've identified another thread from 2017 from a UK coupe owner that had the same issue. BMW appear to have covered the repair work. I understand it would take a few labour hours to get to and replace the offending part.
 
Interesting.
What if car has changed hands -which probably has-, how will BMW track & notify current owners?
 
This has come up several times in the past, the conclusion being that uk cars dont have a pcv heater (its part of the cold climate pack). Which makes the op’s post quite puzzling!
 
ph001 said:
This has come up several times in the past, the conclusion being that uk cars dont have a pcv heater (its part of the cold climate pack). Which makes the op’s post quite puzzling!
Click to expand...

That's what I understood too from reading about it before - I just hope that information is correct! :?
 
Mr Tidy said:
ph001 said:
This has come up several times in the past, the conclusion being that uk cars dont have a pcv heater (its part of the cold climate pack). Which makes the op’s post quite puzzling!
Click to expand...

That's what I understood too from reading about it before - I just hope that information is correct! :?
Click to expand...
Another of the same opinion. :?
 
Hi all,

Thanks for all your comments.

I have to admit I have an untrained eye when it comes to engines but here are some photos that explain why I think it is the same issue. Happy to be corrected and learn more though.

Cheers
 

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If you go onto the DVLA page there is a link to check any outstanding recalls.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.5428019.1633684171.1566937136-326633398.1566937136
 
Sorry for a late reply to this topic - As hadn’t spotted these posts. But have replied to PM’s from GJ1.
I originally replied to a thread, after my car suffered, what I believed to be a PCV combustion issue.
But little interest was shown.
My incident was identical to GJ1’s and occurred to my 2007 E86. So an N52 3.0SI engine.

I note Ph001’s comment and happy to stand corrected, on the actual designation of the part concerned.
My combustion occurred to wiring entering the crank case, from below the inlet manifold.
The combustion began melting the underside of the inlet manifold.

If our cars do not have a PCV system - that might explain why there are no UK recalls.
Which was the first thing checked by my BMW dealer.
Thereafter I dealt with BMW( UK) and my car was investigated by their technician.
The fault was deemed to be a ‘ manufacturing defect’. Because they could not determine otherwise.

At no time was I told whether this was PCV- related and originally drew that conclusion from my own investigations.
Maybe I had been looking at North American cars?

Trust me: At the time of the incident I was in shock and desperate for answers!
BMW( UK) told me not to drive the car and it was recovered to the main dealer, for investigation.
I was helped with the cost of repairs, under their goodwill scheme.
This can’t be a common issue in the UK: As BMW’s
technician took some time investigating.

Hope this is helpful and that GJ1 might be receiving support too.
 
That is bad news, as I understood UK cars weren't affected as they had a different PCV fitted - but your experience and that of GJ1 suggests otherwise. :o

I'd like to find out though as my daily has the same engine as my E86!

There are no recalls showing for either of them n the DVLA, but that may just be because BMW are more worried about US owners being a bit more litigious.
 
Mr Tidy said:
That is bad news, as I understood UK cars weren't affected as they had a different PCV fitted - but your experience and that of GJ1 suggests otherwise. :o

I'd like to find out though as my daily has the same engine as my E86!

There are no recalls showing for either of them n the DVLA, but that may just be because BMW are more worried about US owners being a bit more litigious.
Click to expand...

Mr Tidy,
Your last paragraph sums it all-up nicely.
But BMW (UK) did me and my 12 year old car proud.
 
Thanks. :thumbsup:

I'm glad BMW did you proud, but there must come a time when they stop doing that. My E90 is 14 years old now, and neither of my 2 had more than a couple of services at BMW dealers which does seem to affect their genorisity!

I wonder if it's possible to just disconnect the wires to the heater? And if so, whether that would cause any issues.
 
Mr Tidy said:
Thanks. :thumbsup:

I'm glad BMW did you proud, but there must come a time when they stop doing that. My E90 is 14 years old now, and neither of my 2 had more than a couple of services at BMW dealers which does seem to affect their genorisity!

I wonder if it's possible to just disconnect the wires to the heater? And if so, whether that would cause any issues.
Click to expand...
My car doesn’t have a full BMW history...

Not sure about that disconnection -prior to the incident, to me it was just another cable.
But hoping there is a ready solution.
Although our cars are ageing: For most of us, they are still our pride and joy.
 
Slightly related to this thread. Any help welcome. Has anybody replaced the pcv on their z? And was it expensive? My bmw garage says its part of the rocker cover and to change it is £300+ just for the cover. Not sure about that? Any suggestions or pointers to threads welcomed. Zfourever :|
 
Mr Tidy said:
...
I wonder if it's possible to just disconnect the wires to the heater? And if so, whether that would cause any issues.
Click to expand...

Mr Tidy,
I don’t have the technical knowledge to answer that.
But suspect any changes could result in fault codes.
As this is all about emissions.
We seem to have some talented forum members, who may have a better feel for this...
 
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