CEL came on immediately after purchasing a N57

E90angeleyes · 08-22-2019, 01:36 AM

I just bought a 2016 535D (I know this isF30 post but there was no N57 community in F10post) and as soon as I got on the highway the CEL was on. It wasn't on during the test drive, so it literally came on after I signed the papers. It had 51k miles and I bought it from a used car lot. It was a BMW fleet vehicle and then only had one owner. The good news is that I have 36k mile warranty.

I dropped it off at the shop and although I was expecting a simple "read the code" error, they fed me some bs about how they still had to diagnose it. So they said that the diesel exhaust fluid pump had failed. I am BRAND new to diesels and have not even heard of that. The car has been running fine (I have been driving it regularly and put probably a little under 500 miles on it). Now we are waiting for the part to come in. So what exactly is going on here? Should I be worried? Again, I'm brand new to diesels so I really have no idea.

And while we're at it, I told the dealer that I don't know anything about diesels and if there is anything I should know. He said the only thing he could think of is Adblue but I didn't get what that was all about. Also, the HUD has gone missing.

Enabled · 08-22-2019, 07:46 AM

Sounds like they're taking care of the problem. Without the code list we won't know if they're changing the right things, but it does sound like it. I don't think you need to be worried, especially since you have warranty. Most of the emissions and an important fueling component have extended warranty on top, so you'll be ok.

AlpineX · 08-22-2019, 02:23 PM

About diesels, get those check engine lights dealt with immediately, or else you could clog your exhaust system. Use brand name fuel, B5 only!

E90angeleyes · 08-23-2019, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineX

About diesels, get those check engine lights dealt with immediately, or else you could clog your exhaust system. Use brand name fuel, B5 only!

What's B5?

Enabled · 08-23-2019, 07:05 AM

B5 is 5% blend of biodiesel.

E90angeleyes · 08-24-2019, 12:25 AM

Today the shop said the DEF had gotten into the tank or something and so they will have to drop the tank to see if there if any DEF in there. They could be more confident when they talk to me (And they don't call me. I only hear from them IF I call them when I get off work. So I'm already tired and just want an update, and they don't seem to be able to explain it very well and confidently). I am not a dumbass when it comes to cars so dealers/mechanics usually can't fool me but with diesels I have no idea.

Also, this isn't a diesel specific mechanic. It is the shop directly next to the dealership. I'm starting to get a little worried. Is this a thing with diesels? Even so, at 52k miles?

Enabled · 08-24-2019, 09:12 AM

No it isn't a constant problem.

If someone put def in the diesel then that is a problem that was caused by someone.
Is the def in tank idea just a guess?
Do you have codes that you can post?
I would take it to a BMW specialist and not just any mechanic, however.

E90angeleyes · 08-24-2019, 03:54 PM

Unfortunately it is too late to take to a BMW mechanic because since the light came on IMMEDIATELY after purchasing the car, the first thing I did was call the dealership that sold it to me. They told me to bring it in on Monday to have their mechanic shop look at it. So now it is being serviced by them.

I just called for an update and he said the tank it "sludgy" and whatever is in there is barely moving. He said he will call BMW on Monday to see if it can be cleaned or if it will have to be replaced. He is assuming that DEF has been poured in for fuel.

Enabled · 08-24-2019, 04:30 PM

That's a really bad scenario if true.

It will require the whole fueling system to be changed out.

Assassin · 08-26-2019, 07:16 PM

Diesel exhaust fluid (commonly known as AdBlue®) is an aqueous solution of urea made with 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water. It is sprayed in a controlled manner into the exhaust gas flow through a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SRC) catalyst fitted to diesel vehicles to help reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx).

These cars use very little DEF and it only needs topping up every 9000 miles on my F31 335d. You should be able to check the level on your I-drive. Once it get to certain level you will get a warning to top it up. If you get to a dangerously low level the engine will go into limp mode and if you run out it simply will not start. You would have to be silly to get to that level.

It is cheap but corrosive so be careful topping up and there are easy fill leak proof bottles available.

If it has been added to your diesel the tank may be corroded inside. Also it crystallises so the fuel pump [high pressure and lubricated by the diesel itself] may well be damaged or prematurely worn as may the injectors. I would be insisting that BMW checked them all out on their dollar or extended your warranty for the fuel supply system components [they are expensive to replace]....... assuming of course that they accept they sold you the car with the cr*p in the tank.

Other than that these engines are superb, reliable and powerful. Keep to the oil change programme and only use recommended fully synthetic oils / good quality fuel and you will be fine. I'm in my 3rd 35d engine, hundreds of thousands of miles all tuned to over 350+hp / 520+ lb/ft and scarcely a problem.

E90angeleyes · 09-08-2019, 03:00 AM

They took the car back

08-22-2019, 01:36 AM	#1
E90angeleyes Private 7 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: california iTrader: (1)	CEL came on immediately after purchasing a N57 I just bought a 2016 535D (I know this isF30 post but there was no N57 community in F10post) and as soon as I got on the highway the CEL was on. It wasn't on during the test drive, so it literally came on after I signed the papers. It had 51k miles and I bought it from a used car lot. It was a BMW fleet vehicle and then only had one owner. The good news is that I have 36k mile warranty. I dropped it off at the shop and although I was expecting a simple "read the code" error, they fed me some bs about how they still had to diagnose it. So they said that the diesel exhaust fluid pump had failed. I am BRAND new to diesels and have not even heard of that. The car has been running fine (I have been driving it regularly and put probably a little under 500 miles on it). Now we are waiting for the part to come in. So what exactly is going on here? Should I be worried? Again, I'm brand new to diesels so I really have no idea. And while we're at it, I told the dealer that I don't know anything about diesels and if there is anything I should know. He said the only thing he could think of is Adblue but I didn't get what that was all about. Also, the HUD has gone missing.
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08-22-2019, 07:46 AM	#2
Enabled Lieutenant Colonel 1406 Rep 1,799 Posts Drives: 328xd Wagon, M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Sounds like they're taking care of the problem. Without the code list we won't know if they're changing the right things, but it does sound like it. I don't think you need to be worried, especially since you have warranty. Most of the emissions and an important fueling component have extended warranty on top, so you'll be ok. __________________ -2014 328d Wagon, 8HP. Self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs. -2019 M2 Competition MT, Alpine White. Self-tuned 560hp -2016 Mini Cooper S, MT. Many plans. Others: -E36 328is. 2000 Z3 Roady. 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual. Estoril Z3M Coupe.
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08-22-2019, 02:23 PM	#3
AlpineX Captain 246 Rep 776 Posts Drives: Diesel Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: US iTrader: (0)	About diesels, get those check engine lights dealt with immediately, or else you could clog your exhaust system. Use brand name fuel, B5 only!
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08-23-2019, 07:05 AM	#5
Enabled Lieutenant Colonel 1406 Rep 1,799 Posts Drives: 328xd Wagon, M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	B5 is 5% blend of biodiesel. __________________ -2014 328d Wagon, 8HP. Self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs. -2019 M2 Competition MT, Alpine White. Self-tuned 560hp -2016 Mini Cooper S, MT. Many plans. Others: -E36 328is. 2000 Z3 Roady. 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual. Estoril Z3M Coupe.
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08-24-2019, 12:25 AM	#6
E90angeleyes Private 7 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: california iTrader: (1)	Today the shop said the DEF had gotten into the tank or something and so they will have to drop the tank to see if there if any DEF in there. They could be more confident when they talk to me (And they don't call me. I only hear from them IF I call them when I get off work. So I'm already tired and just want an update, and they don't seem to be able to explain it very well and confidently). I am not a dumbass when it comes to cars so dealers/mechanics usually can't fool me but with diesels I have no idea. Also, this isn't a diesel specific mechanic. It is the shop directly next to the dealership. I'm starting to get a little worried. Is this a thing with diesels? Even so, at 52k miles?
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08-24-2019, 09:12 AM	#7
Enabled Lieutenant Colonel 1406 Rep 1,799 Posts Drives: 328xd Wagon, M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	No it isn't a constant problem. If someone put def in the diesel then that is a problem that was caused by someone. Is the def in tank idea just a guess? Do you have codes that you can post? I would take it to a BMW specialist and not just any mechanic, however. __________________ -2014 328d Wagon, 8HP. Self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs. -2019 M2 Competition MT, Alpine White. Self-tuned 560hp -2016 Mini Cooper S, MT. Many plans. Others: -E36 328is. 2000 Z3 Roady. 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual. Estoril Z3M Coupe.
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08-24-2019, 03:54 PM	#8
E90angeleyes Private 7 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: california iTrader: (1)	Unfortunately it is too late to take to a BMW mechanic because since the light came on IMMEDIATELY after purchasing the car, the first thing I did was call the dealership that sold it to me. They told me to bring it in on Monday to have their mechanic shop look at it. So now it is being serviced by them. I just called for an update and he said the tank it "sludgy" and whatever is in there is barely moving. He said he will call BMW on Monday to see if it can be cleaned or if it will have to be replaced. He is assuming that DEF has been poured in for fuel.
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08-24-2019, 04:30 PM	#9
Enabled Lieutenant Colonel 1406 Rep 1,799 Posts Drives: 328xd Wagon, M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	That's a really bad scenario if true. It will require the whole fueling system to be changed out. __________________ -2014 328d Wagon, 8HP. Self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs. -2019 M2 Competition MT, Alpine White. Self-tuned 560hp -2016 Mini Cooper S, MT. Many plans. Others: -E36 328is. 2000 Z3 Roady. 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual. Estoril Z3M Coupe.
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08-26-2019, 07:16 PM	#10
Assassin First Lieutenant 142 Rep 338 Posts Drives: M340d MHT xDrive Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Diesel exhaust fluid (commonly known as AdBlue®) is an aqueous solution of urea made with 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water. It is sprayed in a controlled manner into the exhaust gas flow through a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SRC) catalyst fitted to diesel vehicles to help reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). These cars use very little DEF and it only needs topping up every 9000 miles on my F31 335d. You should be able to check the level on your I-drive. Once it get to certain level you will get a warning to top it up. If you get to a dangerously low level the engine will go into limp mode and if you run out it simply will not start. You would have to be silly to get to that level. It is cheap but corrosive so be careful topping up and there are easy fill leak proof bottles available. If it has been added to your diesel the tank may be corroded inside. Also it crystallises so the fuel pump [high pressure and lubricated by the diesel itself] may well be damaged or prematurely worn as may the injectors. I would be insisting that BMW checked them all out on their dollar or extended your warranty for the fuel supply system components [they are expensive to replace]....... assuming of course that they accept they sold you the car with the cr*p in the tank. Other than that these engines are superb, reliable and powerful. Keep to the oil change programme and only use recommended fully synthetic oils / good quality fuel and you will be fine. I'm in my 3rd 35d engine, hundreds of thousands of miles all tuned to over 350+hp / 520+ lb/ft and scarcely a problem.
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09-08-2019, 03:00 AM	#11
E90angeleyes Private 7 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: california iTrader: (1)	They took the car back
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