Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » EGR valve failure seems common on my BMW engine - do BMW offer assistance with this issue?

EGR valve failure seems common on my BMW engine - do BMW offer assistance with this issue?

I bought new a BMW Tourer 520d in July 2016, it now has covered 11,000 miles. However, drivetrain fault indication recently appeared and the car fell into limp home mode. On contacting my local BMW dealer, they couldn't see the car for a week and advised me to contact BMW Assist. A BMW Assist technician came to my home and replaced the EGR valve. On inspection, I found that the valve was seized through a build up of soot. I also noted that the technician had a small pile of these valves in his vehicle. I asked why he carries these valves, he replied that he is always replacing this valve. It's clear that this valve is not fit for purpose and with a little engineering, it could be designed not to fail due to soot build up. Do you know of any action that BMW is planning to assist owners of this problem? I could not get an answer to this issue from BMW.

Asked on 6 September 2017 by

Answered by Honest John
First I've heard of this on the B47 2.0 litre diesel engine. The engine probably needs to be run on Superdiesel such as Shell V-Power and the engine oil and filter needs to be changed at least every year or every 10,000 miles whichever comes first. Private hire cab firm Addison Lee found that the optimum mileage to change the oil and filter and avoid problems on a diesel engine with EGR and DPF was 7000 miles. For reasons such as this, N47 timing chain failures and failures of the centre bearings on its new 1.5 litre 3 cylinder engines, BMW is switching from Longlife oil services to 10,000 mile/12 month oil services.
Similar questions
I own a 2004 Skoda Fabia 1.4 and I drive about 3000 miles per year. For the last three years the engine management light has stayed on, fault showing as EGR valve. This has happened three times and been...
The emissions fix was done on my 2010 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI in January 2017 and it now drives very differently. The DSG gearbox changes up into seventh gear much earlier than before (at around 40mph)...
I own a Volkswagen Golf Estate Mk6 1.6 TDI. I bought it a year ago as a family estate and I like the car a lot. Recently the EGR valve failed, luckily under main dealer warranty. At the same time as this...
Related models
Seven-seat practicality, navigation as standard, fuel-efficient engines, the best people carrier to drive.