BMW Announces Voluntary N54 Engine (HPFP) and X5 Recall

[pinmagic]

Originally Posted by rsjean

I'm sorry to inform you that the issues are not N54 or N55 issues. They are 933 HPFP issues and your N55 fuel pump is most likely model #13-51-7-613-933. Welcome to the party.

Yeah, it's bizarre that ABC could do a month-long investigation, and conclude it only affected cars up to 2009. That's not very good investigative reporting, in my book.

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by rsjean

I'm sorry to inform you that the issues are not N54 or N55 issues. They are 933 HPFP issues and your N55 fuel pump is most likely model #13-51-7-613-933. Welcome to the party.

Lol don't be so sorry, I knew that much. Many times, a component fails not because of its build or quality, but because of the way it interacts with other components in a system. In short, the fact that they are using the same hpfp is not an indication that the problem may not have been targeted from another angle. This could include a change in the voltage provided to it, a change in other fuel system components, or any given combination of such things - and let's by forget that there is also a chance that many of the new cars could have a different fuel pump.

Proof of this is that not as many cases have come to surface regarding this issue in an n55 engine. Personaly I don't know of any first hand, other than the 1-2 threads around this forum. Also, n55's have already been around long enough for failures to begin to surface, and as I just stated, the rate of incidents is not anywhere nearly as high as that of n54 cars.

Cheers!

[JHOOPS2]

There is no direct power feeding the HPFP. So it wouldn't be anything such as a change in voltage.

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

Proof of this is that not as many cases have come to surface regarding this issue in an n55 engine. Personaly I don't know of any first hand, other than the 1-2 threads around this forum. Also, n55's have already been around long enough for failures to begin to surface, and as I just stated, the rate of incidents is not anywhere nearly as high as that of n54 cars.

Cheers!

I hope you are right. For peace of mind, safety and resale value. However keep in mind that it took 4 years and over 130K in-market N54's to create the level of issue that prompted the investigation and recall. How long and how many N55's are out there....

Approximately 130,000 vehicles are potentially affected with about 40,000 expected to require a new high pressure fuel pump. Affected BMW models include:

MY 2007–2010 335i models.
MY 2008–2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes
MY 2009 – 2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

[Ser1es]

No 2009 135i? Not that Im having a problem but what if i do?

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by Ser1es

No 2009 135i? Not that Im having a problem but what if i do?

MY 2007–2010 335i models.
MY 2008–2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes
MY 2009 – 2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

[Mr. Clarkson]

Originally Posted by rsjean

MY 2007–2010 335i models.
MY 2008–2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes
MY 2009 – 2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

and probably 2011

[Adam_NCNN]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

Lol don't be so sorry, I knew that much. Many times, a component fails not because of its build or quality, but because of the way it interacts with other components in a system. In short, the fact that they are using the same hpfp is not an indication that the problem may not have been targeted from another angle. This could include a change in the voltage provided to it, a change in other fuel system components, or any given combination of such things - and let's by forget that there is also a chance that many of the new cars could have a different fuel pump.

Proof of this is that not as many cases have come to surface regarding this issue in an n55 engine. Personaly I don't know of any first hand, other than the 1-2 threads around this forum. Also, n55's have already been around long enough for failures to begin to surface, and as I just stated, the rate of incidents is not anywhere nearly as high as that of n54 cars.

Cheers!

Isn't the HPFP engine driven?

[JHOOPS2]

Originally Posted by Adam_NCNN

Isn't the HPFP engine driven?

Yep.

[Ser1es]

Originally Posted by rsjean

MY 2007–2010 335i models.
MY 2008–2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes
MY 2009 – 2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

Yep... Missed it!

[2thDoc]

I solved my HPFP issues over the summer. Sold the car. Bought a 2011 Shelby GT500. Don't regret it for a second. It's faster, handles better, out brakes, out accelerates and is more comfortable than the 135. Tought to argue with 550hp....

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by 2thDoc

I solved my HPFP issues over the summer. Sold the car. Bought a 2011 Shelby GT500. Don't regret it for a second. It's faster, handles better, out brakes, out accelerates and is more comfortable than the 135. Tought to argue with 550hp....

Ford? No thank you lol even if it had 1000hp...I'll take my underpowered 135i!

I like your avatar though, UF class of 06 here!

[Ser1es]

Originally Posted by 2thDoc

I solved my HPFP issues over the summer. Sold the car. Bought a 2011 Shelby GT500. Don't regret it for a second. It's faster, handles better, out brakes, out accelerates and is more comfortable than the 135. Tought to argue with 550hp....

Booo get out of here. 1addict life is a love hate relationship. Any "tuner" knows that. Your just weak hahaha. Plus I would never trade a BMW no matter what year or condition for a Ford. Good luck with it....

[Mr C]

Originally Posted by RGM135i

"Based upon the individual service history of the vehicle, the action will entail replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump and/or a software update."

So, I have a 2009 with 4,500 miles and no problems to date...is that my service history?
Not much piece of mind in that type of "recall" language.

I also have 4500 miles on my 1er, and no problems with the pump, YET. It starts right up!

I did have the Tail Light and Seat Belt Recall done, and everything is fine. I did pass on the Software Flash after reading that several people noticed a loss of power after the Flash.

[2thDoc]

LOL! SNOBS! I felt much the same way too...then I drove the Shelby...nav smokes the iDrive (and I *like* iDrive)...I had to depend on my 135 as my DD and after 10 months of ownership, 12k miles, ~1 full month in the shop and it was on it's 3rd HPFP...I couldn't take it anymore. Good luck with the recall...hope it works out! (and Go Gators!! even though we suck right now!)

[x5mad]

Oh great so I have both vehicles involved in the recall - 135 and x5.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Adam_NCNN

Isn't the HPFP engine driven?

It's chain driven off the oil pump, which is engine driven.

Keep in mind that the N55 is a recent engine, and most failures have a few miles on them. Some N54's had very early failures, under 5k miles.
But, that's in the group total.
We'll have to give the N55 more time to see if the problem is as common.
Plus, there have already been a couple of N55 HPFP failures under 10k miles.
It doesn't bode well at all that there is even 1 failure in the N55.
Why? Because if the problem were truly fixed by a new pump, and/or some other components, then it obviously didn't work. If it worked then there would 0 failures on such a new engine design.

I am not one to jump to conclusions so quickly. In fact, I was quite optimistic that this problem was not as wide spread as people claimed over a year ago. But, evidence shows that the HPFP problem is much more common than some, like me, believe originally.

It's true that we can't or shouldn't jump to conclusions based on forum data, which tends to attract owners with a problem. Forums tend to amplify a potential problem by potentially skewing numbers upward.
However, the HPFP issue has been shown to be larger in scope than once believed. Is the failure rate as high as has been suggested and promoted by some on this forum? I don't think so, as some have suggested that failure rate is as high as 80% based on forum data.
It's probably not that high.

However, it's high enough that the potential is there so that it has to include 100% of N54 engines.
Again, that doesn't mean that 100% of the pumps will fail. It may only be 30% or 50% failure rate. But, the problem is still too big even at those numbers, such that 100% of the vehicles need to have the pump replaced with a pump that at least brings the failure rate below 1 in 20 engines, or it's still too big of an issue falling outside of "acceptable" failure rate.

What is an acceptable failure rate? Is it 1 in 10 engines, 1 in 50, 1 in 100?
It would be ideal if it were 0, but if were only like 1 in 100, it wouldn't be so widespread that BMW would extend the warranty on the pump, or have a major network do a story on it, or have lawsuits.

Right now BMW may be able to get away with not including the N55 engines, as there are to that many N55's out there, yet. Plus, it's possible that the 933 has reduced the failure rate. However, it doesn't seem that BMW have completely fixed the problem such that no failures occur in the N55, because they already have.
Combine that with the big failure rate of the N54 and it just doesn't look good for total optimism or confidence.

BMW needs to FIX the N54, and hope that gives them enough time and data to know if the N55 failure rate can be said to be acceptable.

I knew of the HPFP problem before I bought my 135i. It was a risk I am willing to accept, as long as BMW honors it's legal obligation to fix a failure.
Would I buy a turbo from BMW now that I know how widespread the HPFP issue is? For me, I can confidently say that I would. I think the 135i is that good. Others will not feel this way as they place more weight on complete reliability. I place more weight on performance, and on the warranty being honored. Some may say I'm a fool or stupid to accept that.
But, that's their problem.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by 2thDoc

I solved my HPFP issues over the summer. Sold the car. Bought a 2011 Shelby GT500. Don't regret it for a second. It's faster, handles better, out brakes, out accelerates and is more comfortable than the 135. Tought to argue with 550hp....

I nominate this for "most pointless post that serves NO purpose for the topic being discussed."

Your comment is about as poignant to the topic as describing your hairstyle.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by 2thDoc

LOL! SNOBS! I felt much the same way too...then I drove the Shelby...nav smokes the iDrive (and I *like* iDrive)...I had to depend on my 135 as my DD and after 10 months of ownership, 12k miles, ~1 full month in the shop and it was on it's 3rd HPFP...I couldn't take it anymore. Good luck with the recall...hope it works out! (and Go Gators!! even though we suck right now!)

Actually, your comments are snobbish, as you seem to claim some level of superiority.

Go way now, shoo...

[Ser1es]

^^^^^^ LOL

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by thez99

Honestly? If this was the case, id be hard pressed not to go back to my dealer and demand money back for a car that now has less power than when I purchased it all from the factory installed hardware and software.

You cant just update software that reduces power on a car to "fix a problem" and expect that to be okie dokie, sure as shit wouldnt be for me. I bought a 300hp 300tq twin turbo i6, if any software bullshit lowered that, itd basically be like downgrading to a weaker car which would = lesser money. So maybe theres warrant to people doing dyno's right before and after these "fixes" to determine whats really happening to power here. If it was a mount, or suspension piece, or something with body structure itd be a diff story, this is different.

Those of us that have had the software upgrade, most that is, do not claim that power is reduced to any appreciable level. My 135i feels as strong as before. Initially, after the update my car felt a bit lower in overall power.
But, it felt normal after a few driving sessions.

What some of us have experienced is an increase in power lag at higher rpm, and a decrease in throttle response. Meaning, it feels like the power comes on softer and takes longer to build, though it still builds up to the same power as before.

It would be great if we had some post update dyno's on stock cars to see if indeed there has been some power decrease. But, I can say that there isn't in my car, at least none that I can feel with the butt dyno.

The stated purpose of the update was mainly to address long crank issues by activating the low pressure pump to prime the system before you hit the start button. There was also some software change to address a no sound condition from the audio system even though the system is powered on.

There is speculation that BMW also altered how the engine responds, and maybe that was done to decrease the demand on the HPFP in hopes of extending it's life. But, that is speculation on my part, cause something has to explain why there is such greater lag and a distinct lack of throttle response. My engine no longer has "near 0" lag with excellent throttle response as BMW claims, and it doesn't perform like it did before the update. I do NOT like what has happened.
I want a new pump and properly tuned software so that my engine feels at least like it did before the update.
Those that have had both the new pump and new software seem to be the happiest.
I don't think that's too much to ask for considering that's what I paid for.

[hangover]

You definitely need the latest pump. Performance is like new. For how long? That's the $54 question.