Fault found using OBD reader

[Dan1502]

I bought the Carley software and interface and found a fault which remains after clearing.  It's to do with the glowplug on cylinder 1.  I have the BMW insured warranty and it is due to go in for something else shortly.  So my question is do I just say to them that I've read the fault codes and there's a fault showing or is my having read the codes likely to cause an issue?

[kjb1]

no. tell them.  And say you are getting cold start troubles.


Sent from my iPhone

[Dan1502]

Thanks.  I just found an article on testing the wiring so I might do that first just to avoid being charged loads of diagnostics time for a loose wire or similar.

[X5Sport]

Some Dealers will class the plugs are a wear & tear item.  Beware!  You may have to persuade them otherwise....

[Dan1502]

Thanks, I was thinking that however they are mentioned as an excluded item on the lower level (named component I think) warranty but not on the comprehensive level so that might aid my argument.  I'll make sure they confirm before doing any diagnostics although getting them to do that tends not to be easy.

[Dan1502]

Also, for some reason I can't seem to find the answer very easily but is number one cylinder on the 3.0d straight six the one nearest the front of the car?

[Dan1502]

Reading up on this a bit more I am wondering whether it might be worth replacing all the plugs as mine does seem to show symptoms.  It starts very easily but there has been a smell of diesel on start up for some while and it is smokier on start up too.

[Steamyrotter]

Yes 1 is at the front (unless i have been doing it wrong for many a year!!!)

IMHO best to change all at the same time as the rest will most probably follow exactly when you need them most!!

But thats just me.....

[Dan1502]

Yes, I agree.  I shall speak to the dealer and ask them their view on this as in whether they will replace one or all under warranty and if they'll only replace one, whether they'd replace the others at a significant discount as it shouldn't be that much work.  Otherwise I'm tempted to do them myself though I am a little concerned about the risk of snapping one or more.

[Dan1502]

I've booked it in.  Assuming the glowplug has failed and needs replacing it will be covered.  If I want the other five replacing I would have to pay the parts cost and £32.76 labour.  Whilst I could wait for the others to fail and claim for them I'm minded to get them all replaced.

[Dan1502]

A bit of an update.  Thanks to Turks I had it confirmed that the £100 excess on my BMW Insured comprehensive warranty is for each claim no matter how many faults are invovled (the wording is ambiguous in this respect).  The drivers door mechanism failed so I booked it in and told them about the glow plug fault at the same time.  I also pointed out that one of the mirror glasses has failed (brown discoloured patches).  It has been in almost a week now having only supposed to have been in for the day but to be fair I think this is primarily down to the warranty claims side of things.  They agreed the door mechanism issue and the glow plug.  Although one plug has failed and as I have the warranty I could just wait for others to fail and claim for them I decided to pay for the other five to be replaced as the additional labour cost is very little.  They initially refused the glass but that has now been approved.

They found a split CV joint boot and the warranty claim in this regard has been refused but I'm pushing again for this as the car's only covered about 42,000 miles so I believe it to be an early failure rather than wear and tear.  If I don't get anywhere with this it will be just under £300 to replace the boot. Apparently the grease is all still inside and they believe the joint to be fine.  Does anyone have any experience with this, particularly regarding successful claims?

[Dan1502]

Some good news.  The claim was turned down again with the reason given being that the part is made out of a material which deteriorates with age irrespective of mileage.  I called customer service and argued that the part has split and therefore failed, that they should last for double the mileage or more and that it should be covered.  I also explained that it has been in for a week.  I was told they would talk to claims then later received a call back to say that they hadn't managed to get hold of claims but she had spoken to her manager whose view was that it would be impossible to proove whether it was wear and tear or a failure so as I am a loyal customer they would authorise the claim as a gesture of good will.  That's a relief as it would have been a big bill to change a boot.

[Dan1502]

Just an update for anybody interested.  I got it back yesterday after almost 2 weeks (it was supposed to be in for a day).  Everything was done and I just had to pay the excess and the parts cost for the five extra glowplugs for which I negotiated 15% off.  Although I've only started it a couple of times since I think the smell of fuel and smoke on start up have gone.  I think the problem must've been there for a while.  I always wonder why dealers don't check the codes in every time cars are in.  It takes hardly any time and surely would result in more work.

[X5Sport]

They don't do it because they would have to pay for the repairs.  Once it's sold, the warranty side of AUC pays - one reason the policies are expensive to buy.. >:(

[Dan1502]

But if a car is out of warranty or under an insured warranty the dealer would get additional paid work.  Presumably the dealer also gets paid for BMW warranty work (though my understanding is the rates they get for warranty work are less than customers are charged).