Inlet manifold leak after EGR recall

[Jim Wallace]

Hi, new to the forum and hoping for some advice from the gurus. 

I recently took my 2012 X1 25D to a local dealer to have the EGR valve recall work carried out. Got the car back and everything seemed fine but after not a lot of use (100 to 200 miles) I noticed a smell of burning oil in the cabin. This disappeared overnight and couldn't see any obvious leaks. After that there was a smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin - enough to need to have the windows open while driving. Took it back to the dealer and they are claiming it is nothing to do with the recall work they carried out, that the inlet manifold has a leak and needs replacing. The car had no issues before they worked on it, has only done 46,000 miles and has been well looked after. Seems rather unlikely that the manifold coincidently started leaking shortly after they worked on the engine. I believe the inlet manifold is plastic (?) and I suspect they damaged something while working on the car. When I said I would take the car for an independent inspection they immediately offered to contact BMW UK to see what they suggested. I'm preparing myself for the continued "not out fault" proclamation and will collect it and take it elsewhere for inspection and repair if necessary. 

Would welcome any thoughts or advice. 

Thanks

[Greydog]

Morning Jim

Welcome to the Forum

Not Good. Your action so far is spot on I would ask for schedule of the work carried out during the recall that will help understand what was "disturbed" during the work.

Hopefully the BMW Tech will decide in your favour but have the independent in the wings just in case

Dave

[Jim Wallace]

Thanks Dave

I'm hoping they will do the right thing. I don't expect them to admit liability, as they made a safe car unsafe, but I do expect them to return my car to the condition it was in before they worked on it. 

I'll ask for the work schedule - good tip thanks. 

[Jim Wallace]

Today I spoke to a really helpful guy at the dealers where I bought the car and thought I'd share in case anyone else has similar issues.

The guy I spoke with used to work for BMW and told me that BMW regularly provide a replacement inlet manifold as part of the EGR recall as it's not uncommon for manifold to be damaged/leak. 

The dealer who carried out my recall has not provided any update for two days so chased them and finally got a text message saying they are "still awaiting a reply from the warranty team at BMW in relation to goodwill" 

Emailed BMW UK customer service just now telling them the customer service provided by my local dealer is appalling and asking them to resolve the matter asap. All I want is my car back in the condition it was in before they carried out the recall work. Not much to ask in my opinion. 

[Greydog]

Morning Jim

A step ? Not sure in which direction but you are gaining knowledge, I just wonder why some Dealers seem to bend over backwards and others are the complete opposite?? It can only come from the top.

My nearest BMW Dealer I have found to be in the first group always polite and helpful but then they have 2 excellent BMW Specialists within 10 miles who are roughly half the cost hourly rate wise maybe that keeps them sharper.

Good Luck

Dave

[Jim Wallace]

Hi Dave, there are a couple of dealers in my area but I've not used either before so choose the nearest one...

I rang BMW UK customer service yesterday and the guy I spoke with explained that the decision lay with BMW warranty goodwill team rather that customer service but he did say that the goodwill team look favourably at cases relating to recall work. He rang the dealer while I was on hold and then said the dealer would call me today with an update.

The dealer has just called to say they are fitting a new inlet manifold and the work is covered by BMW UK goodwill warranty 🙂

Relieved to be getting my car back in the state it was in before they did the recall work. 

[Greydog]

Whoop Whoop well done Jim perseverance pays, now you can enjoy your BMW again

Dave

[Jim Wallace]

Thanks Dave

[PAW]

Hi Jim, I have had a similar issue dropping my 730d into the dealer in November only for them, to hold onto it for about 2-3 weeks (saying there was a shortage of parts in the UK which may or may not have been a legitimate excuse) then to give me my car back and the engine error light being on. I called and explained or asked why it was still on and he said it would go off soon as it just needs to reset. 

I then called back again a few days later and he looked at the notes and said there was a flag on it that the inlet manifold needed replacing and that it would cost me £1537 + VAT (plus possible further costs). To make matters worse, my 3yr service warranty ceased in December only for me to realise that it had lapsed and now I am out of my cover. 
I am following your advice and I am speaking to BMW UK (waiting to lodge a complaint) and also escalating it to BMW Service at the Dealership (I will go down and take a copy of the paperwork as I do not trust them). They are saying the Inlet manifold light was already on before they got the car, but surely if it was faulty then apparently a replacement is covered under the EGR replacement apparently. 
What was the resolution of your issue? Was it solved?