Idle valve issue poll

[gr8000]

Seems that the idle valve issue hits more and more of us (here in Greece too as I hear). Hopefully it will not become the new "DCT lag" hot topic.

Anyway, I was interested to see how many of us got this and what sort of remedy actions have been taken by the dealer.

I hope this doesn’t go too complicated. Here is my example:
I got the idle valve problem and my car was built in June 08, thus I chose poll option 4. The dealer changed the idle valve and updated the software i.e. I also chose poll options 7 and 9.

Your time / response will be much appreciated.


Combined results
68.6% (24/35) of the sample is without idle valve malfunction
of which
37.5% (9/24) is cars built no later than 2Q08
45.8% (11/24) is cars built between 2Q08 and 4Q08
16.7% (4/24) is cars built after 4Q08

31.4% (11/35) of the sample experienced the idle valve malcunction
of which
36.4% (4/11) is cars built no later than 2Q08
45.4% (5/11) is cars built between 2Q08 and 4Q08
18.2% (2/11) is cars built after 4Q08

Idle valve fixes:
66.6% (6/9) of the cases were fixed by idle valve replacement
33.3% (3/9) of the cases were fixed by hose replacement
44.4% (4/9) of the cases were fixed by software updates
or by a combination of the above


Last updated as per below:

[mkoesel]

gr8000, as far as we (you) are aware, does the problem always cause an error light on the dash?

[Eliminator]

I got it. Build is July 08 so I checked no. 4 on the poll. Never got it fixed by dealer. It went away as the weather got warmer... still not sure it's related to cold weather, but seems to be a catalyst for the idle valve errors (ie. Emissions, Stability control disabled, hill assist disabled, etc.). Soft fault however -- just restart car and all was well.

[Jimmer]

What exactly happens with this issue? Mine is very rough at start up for approx the first 10 seconds or so after it's been sitting overnight. Jumping all over from like 500-1000rpm.

[JCtx]

My car just hesitates a little when first started cold, but supposedly all M3s do this. Hey, you should have added mileage on your poll buddy, to know approx. when they're likely to fail. I only have 1,700 miles, but with a June '08 build date, looks like I'm the perfect candidate to get it as well.

By the way, I don't believe the issue has nothing to do with the hose; I took the intake off and checked the hose, and other than the extremes of the hose which are plastic with a manual clamp, it's a regular rubber hose that I don't see it 'disintegrating' in 10K miles. It's either the valve itself (most likely scenario IMO), or debris from manufacturing left inside the plenum, hose, etc. It could be from breaking something, as the plenum is glued together, and maybe the channel gets chipped if not aligned properly before squeezing it together. Who knows. I'd like to hear exactly what was found inside one of those defective valves.

Hey OP, may I ask what kind of software update you're talking about? BMWMD says there's no update for our cars that he knows of (and he's a BMW tech). Is that an ECU update? Do you have anything written in your paperwork?

Hope you can add mileage, to have an idea when the valve is most likely to crap out on us. Thanks man.

[Dannys M3]

Mine is awaiting idle valve right now, I was told the valve should arrive today. I had the classic symptoms and signs - I-Drive lit up with DSC malfunction and dash had half engine light. Rev limited to 4500 rpm etc etc. So when I get the car back I'll vote.

[FrenchBoy]

Can you describe the issue? Do you get an error message?

My car also hesitates after a cold start for the first 10 seconds, although it is not at idle. More in low RPM in first and second gears while driving off. After the first 10 sec, it's fine. I am not even sure I would call this behavior an issue. Doesn't bother me really. The engine is just cold and needs to warm up.

[Dannys M3]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

Can you describe the issue? Do you get an error message?

My car also hesitates after a cold start for the first 10 seconds, although it is not at idle. More in low RPM in first and second gears while driving off. After the first 10 sec, it's fine. I am not even sure I would call this behavior an issue. Doesn't bother me really. The engine is just cold and needs to warm up.

Here are your error messages

[JMD0977]

I started getting it the last couple of weeks. It only happens the first time of the day when I start the car, every 3-5 days. 06/08 build, 10,300 miles. I took it to the dealer, they say the performed the bulleting(hose, Idle actuator circuit, etc) but it still happened once after. The only thing they did not do is re-flash the ecu.
It goes away when I shut off the car and re-start 10 secs after.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by JMD0977

06/08 build, 10,300 miles. I took it to the dealer, they say the performed the bulleting (hose, Idle actuator circuit, etc) but it still happened once after. The only thing they did not do is re-flash the ecu.

VERY interesting. That means it's not just the valve then. Hmmmm

Anyway, the $64K question is: Is BMW installing the same damn valve or a redesigned one? I wouldn't want to go thru the same crap 5 to 10K miles later. Glad I only have 1.7K. Hopefully when mine acts up there'll be a redesigned valve/hose/etc.

[BMWM.D.]

Originally Posted by JMD0977

I started getting it the last couple of weeks. It only happens the first time of the day when I start the car, every 3-5 days. 06/08 build, 10,300 miles. I took it to the dealer, they say the performed the bulleting(hose, Idle actuator circuit, etc) but it still happened once after. The only thing they did not do is re-flash the ecu.
It goes away when I shut off the car and re-start 10 secs after.

I am also curious as to what exactly they did. According to the bulletin, you are NOT supposed to do both the hose AND the idle control valve. It is supposed to be one or the other based on what is found and the symptoms the car has. Your invoice should have the list of part numbers that were charged out during the repair.

[BMWM.D.]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Hey OP, may I ask what kind of software update you're talking about? BMWMD says there's no update for our cars that he knows of (and he's a BMW tech). Is that an ECU update? Do you have anything written in your paperwork?

Did I say that?

While I am not aware of any software fixes for this particular issue, there are newer DME program versions available to fix other bugs. I have updated my car twice and both times the DME was programmed with a new software version. I performed the first update back in February because of a fault code stored for the oil temperature sensor that was caused by a software calibration problem. The second time was in late April and the DME got yet another update.

There are definitely newer versions available for 2008 cars, and most likely earlier 2009 models. Other than the oil temp sensor error fix, I am not sure what exactly is different in the software versions. Sometimes they are created to cure drivability issues or erroneous fault codes in the diagnostic software. In this case it is hard to say exactly why there are newer versions.

[skierman64]

Wow, I'm the only guy with a 1st or 2nd Qtr 08 build date who doesn't have the issue.

Nevermind, I miss read the poll.

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

gr8000, as far as we (you) are aware, does the problem always cause an error light on the dash?

Yes, actually multiple errors - some are unrelated (eg. DSC failure & flat tyre monitor failure)

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by Jimmer

What exactly happens with this issue? Mine is very rough at start up for approx the first 10 seconds or so after it's been sitting overnight. Jumping all over from like 500-1000rpm.

In my experience, car was absolutely smooth all round (and at startup) with no issues in throttle responce or anything. Then suddenly one evening the dashboard lit up with all sorts of funny messages and the car would go in limp mode. If I restarted it everything was fine again, but that lasted 5 minutes...

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

My car just hesitates a little when first started cold, but supposedly all M3s do this. Hey, you should have added mileage on your poll buddy, to know approx. when they're likely to fail. I only have 1,700 miles, but with a June '08 build date, looks like I'm the perfect candidate to get it as well.

Indeed. Milage is another indicator but I thought I should keep the poll as simple as possible (and it is already too complicated maybe). I felt that the date of build is a good enough indicator as far as the old vs new components are concerned.

Originally Posted by elp_jc

By the way, I don't believe the issue has nothing to do with the hose; I took the intake off and checked the hose, and other than the extremes of the hose which are plastic with a manual clamp, it's a regular rubber hose that I don't see it 'disintegrating' in 10K miles. It's either the valve itself (most likely scenario IMO), or debris from manufacturing left inside the plenum, hose, etc. It could be from breaking something, as the plenum is glued together, and maybe the channel gets chipped if not aligned properly before squeezing it together. Who knows. I'd like to hear exactly what was found inside one of those defective valves.

What you say makes perfect sense to me but who knows. I hope it was just initial manufacturing debris, otherwise whoever did not get a hose replacement (like myself) may face this issue again in the future when the car is out of warranty (2y here in Greece i.e. another year to go for me!).

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Hey OP, may I ask what kind of software update you're talking about? BMWMD says there's no update for our cars that he knows of (and he's a BMW tech). Is that an ECU update? Do you have anything written in your paperwork?

The tech confirmed that they installed thelatest software (as of Tuesday 7 July) which was/is 2.34.005. No paperwork proving this. Not sure if it is an ECU or TCU flash or a combo of both.

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Hope you can add mileage, to have an idea when the valve is most likely to crap out on us. Thanks man.

Not sure if this is a good idea in retrospect because everybody who voted already will not be able to vote again to complement their initial vote. THis will distort the results I am afraid.

[Mischievous M]

Mine M seems well behaved to date apart from the few updates at the dealership.