X5 E70 40d glow plug controller.

X5 E70 40d glow plug controller.

Author
Discussion

crispian22

Original Poster:

962 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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I need to replace the glow plug relay on my X5 E70 40d, there seems to be a few brands to choose from,are any better than others and has anyone any experience in fitting one?

Many thanks.

helix402

7,824 posts

181 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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Go for gen BMW or Beru. A bit fiddly to change but not the end of the world.

Zener

18,925 posts

220 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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What Helix said , fitted many online sourced Beru ones Inc customer supplied and only ever one dealer part (same) don't go pattern you will regret it iits not a trouble free part as is , never been incorrectly diagnosed plug and play clear DTC sorted

crispian22

Original Poster:

962 posts

191 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
quotequote all
Thank you for your time to reply, appreciated.

I've read conflicting reports regards fitting,some say the intake manifold needs to be removed ,others say not.

Anyone actually fitted one?

Many thanks again.

Zener

18,925 posts

220 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
quotequote all
Never needed to remove intake on 4 cyl or 6 cyl variants like Helix said its fiddly , 10mm socket and 1/4 drive socket set is your friend here , and be patient with both multi-plugs removal the worst bit in situ

helix402

7,824 posts

181 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
quotequote all
Zener said:
Never needed to remove intake on 4 cyl or 6 cyl variants like Helix said its fiddly , 10mm socket and 1/4 drive socket set is your friend here , and be patient with both multi-plugs removal the worst bit in situ
As above, no need for manifold removal.

crispian22

Original Poster:

962 posts

191 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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Many thanks people smile

Shedding

602 posts

249 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
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Hello, I think I have the exact same car (E70 40d). Last winter, it was a little difficult to start on a cold day and then would run rough for the first 30 seconds or so. I assume there's a problem with either the glow-plug controller or glow plugs themselves although I've never seen a check engine light. Through the summer, the car has been perfect so I haven't done anything about it.

I too read online about having to remove the intake manifold to change the controller and also horror stories of the glow plugs snapping when removed with the tips either stuck in the head or falling into a cylinder. I'd be very grateful if you would update this thread with your experience once you've done the work.

As an aside, just in case you're unaware, I'll mention the recall on the front drive-shaft / prop-shaft. This is a weak point and if it fails, it can destroy the engine and gearbox. There is / was a recall and mine was replaced by BMW, with a redesigned part, late last year.

crispian22

Original Poster:

962 posts

191 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
I've got the replacement beru part,just waiting for a dry couple of hours to install it.

I had the recall work done back in February,thanks for the heads up though.

Cheers.

crispian22

Original Poster:

962 posts

191 months

Saturday 31st October 2020
quotequote all
Just to close this off,I changed the controller today,took around 2 hours start to finish,its probably the fiddliest job I've done on a car,you need hands like a babies and the patience of a angel,it is indeed do able without the manifold removed,just a bh of a job!

Shedding

602 posts

249 months

Friday 6th November 2020
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Thanks for updating this. Did you have to change any of the glow plugs and do you reckon they could be accessed without manifold removal?

crispian22

Original Poster:

962 posts

191 months

Friday 6th November 2020
quotequote all
Shedding said:
Thanks for updating this. Did you have to change any of the glow plugs and do you reckon they could be accessed without manifold removal?
Non of the glow plugs were showing as being faulty so I let sleeping dogs lye.

Marasp02

3 posts

38 months

Monday 25th January 2021
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Hey!

I Will try to do this..
Do you not need to remove inlet man..!?
Any pictues? Or DIY

helix402

7,824 posts

181 months

Monday 25th January 2021
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No need to remove the inlet manifold.

Marasp02

3 posts

38 months

Monday 25th January 2021
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Need to remove anything else?

helix402

7,824 posts

181 months

Monday 25th January 2021
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Marasp02 said:
Need to remove anything else?
It’s a while since I did one. As far as I remember just take the plastic engine cover off. It’s a fiddly job.

Marasp02

3 posts

38 months

Monday 25th January 2021
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Fiddly? 😥I am ready to give up already🤭

6cylGolf

700 posts

189 months

Tuesday 26th January 2021
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dont need to remove the inlet, but then that just makes an easier job a hard job.

Removing the inlet just gives better access and its not difficult.