Recall for N20 engines issued 11/15/2021

[C0D3M4N]

Does anyone have more information on what exactly will the dealer do to the ECU to "fix" the issue? I don't want them to somehow "calibrate" my engine out of power...

You can check your VIN here:
https://www.bmwusa.com/safety-and-emission-recalls.html

I should also mention I have a 2014 X1 28i and I received a letter from BMW a few days ago (my VIN also came back affected per link above).

--------------------------------------
RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.
20E-A01

STATUS
Remedy Available

ISSUED
Nov 15, 2021

LAST UPDATED
Nov 26, 2021

Description Of Problem

As Part Of Ongoing Quality Analyses Carried Out By BMW, It Was Discovered That Due To An Imprecise Calibration Of The Engine The Vehicle May Produce Increased CO Emissions. To Correct This Error In Calibration, BMW Is Conducting A Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign.

Safety Risk

No Safety Impact

Description Of Repair

BMW Has Decided To Conduct An Emission Recall To Fix The Affected Vehicles With A Software Update To Implement The Corrected Software.
--------------------------------------

[orca4wd]

Originally Posted by C0D3M4N

Does anyone have more information on what exactly will the dealer do to the ECU to "fix" the issue? I don't want them to somehow "calibrate" my engine out of power...

You can check your VIN here:
https://www.bmwusa.com/safety-and-emission-recalls.html

I should also mention I have a 2014 X1 28i and I received a letter from BMW a few days ago (my VIN also came back affected per link above).

--------------------------------------
RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.
20E-A01

STATUS
Remedy Available

ISSUED
Nov 15, 2021

LAST UPDATED
Nov 26, 2021

Description Of Problem

As Part Of Ongoing Quality Analyses Carried Out By BMW, It Was Discovered That Due To An Imprecise Calibration Of The Engine The Vehicle May Produce Increased CO Emissions. To Correct This Error In Calibration, BMW Is Conducting A Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign.

Safety Risk

No Safety Impact

Description Of Repair

BMW Has Decided To Conduct An Emission Recall To Fix The Affected Vehicles With A Software Update To Implement The Corrected Software.
--------------------------------------

Thank you for passing on this information. My vehicle is in the recall list but haven't received an official letter yet. I'm thinking you may be correct this emission is a 'de-tune' campaign. I'm not convince to fix this at this point, jury is not out.

[Gamb1t]

De-tune? I ain't going in then. No way no how!

[jdh212]

I work at a BMW Dealership here in Santa Barbara, CA. Spoke to my service manager and he said it will not have any affect on performance or detune the vehicle. They've already done it to a bunch of E84's. It's a super simple fix that on most cars and will only take the shop 5 minutes to do.

I'm going to have it done on my car later this week and will report back.

[Gamb1t]

I just received the recall letter. Looks like they are going to lean out the fuel mixture to save the cat.
Also indicated if it's not done, emission coverage will be jeopardized.

The recall seems exclude 2 & 3 series N20.

[Michael Z.]

Originally Posted by jdh212

I work at a BMW Dealership here in Santa Barbara, CA. Spoke to my service manager and he said it will not have any affect on performance or detune the vehicle. They've already done it to a bunch of E84's. It's a super simple fix that on most cars and will only take the shop 5 minutes to do.

I'm going to have it done on my car later this week and will report back.

I just received my letter as well. If they are leaning out the fuel mixture, theoretically, it may improve performance. Are they pulling the timing though?

Waiting to hear back on this...

[5mall5nail5]

I noticed after a hard drive our E84 N20 car does have some smell (stock tune) of fuel out the exhaust. Just had this recall done today, drove home, noticed nothing. Kind of wish I logged AFRs before/after. So far so good no obvious issue.

[jrdavis805]

2015 X1 s28i owner here in SB!! glad the tune/performance hopefully not effected, may bring it by the dealership for fix

Originally Posted by jdh212

I work at a BMW Dealership here in Santa Barbara, CA. Spoke to my service manager and he said it will not have any affect on performance or detune the vehicle. They've already done it to a bunch of E84's. It's a super simple fix that on most cars and will only take the shop 5 minutes to do.

I'm going to have it done on my car later this week and will report back.

[orca4wd]

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

I noticed after a hard drive our E84 N20 car does have some smell (stock tune) of fuel out the exhaust. Just had this recall done today, drove home, noticed nothing. Kind of wish I logged AFRs before/after. So far so good no obvious issue.

Yea, notice black color residue in the tail pipe which may explain the rich fuel mixture. Glad to hear no issue or performance change after this recall. I'm going to schedule an appointment once received the recall letter. Thank you for your input.

[andy_06xi]

I paid to have some coding done to my X3 -- auto lock once moving, wireless music, actual tire pressures shown on iDrive + some other misc changes.

If I get this recall done -- will I lose my coding?

[5mall5nail5]

Originally Posted by andy_06xi

I paid to have some coding done to my X3 -- auto lock once moving, wireless music, actual tire pressures shown on iDrive + some other misc changes.

If I get this recall done -- will I lose my coding?

This recall pertains to the ECU flash, not sure they'd touch any of the other modules or not

[Ne0Nick]

Originally Posted by andy_06xi

I paid to have some coding done to my X3 -- auto lock once moving, wireless music, actual tire pressures shown on iDrive + some other misc changes.

If I get this recall done -- will I lose my coding?

Yes, Unfortunately, I lost all my coding. 2013 F10

[mjc1994]

Just got my E84 (28i, 2015) back from the dealer to have this done. I can confirm I lost all my custom coding, which is fine, but curious I know have the front radiator fan is kicking in a lot more often now. I scanned for codes but there's none, everything is green.

Maybe this is one of the behavior differences in the new coding as part of the recall? Surely if it was my water pump or thermostat it would be throwing a code..

[wheela]

Hopefully it's not your water pump. Mine did that fan thing for 1-2 weeks, no codes. Then one day driving home from work the display posted the warning, and within 5 minutes it pulled power and I had to pull over to let it cool off... Actually, I should say it didn't throw any check engine lights for those 1-2 weeks, I never actually scanned it for codes, just assumed the fan was because it was hot outside.

[orca4wd]

Oh man, I wish this recall did not erase all the custom coding! Well, when I bring my vehicle in next week, will ask advisor if there is way to keep/maintain my custom codes. Also, I would like to confirm the recall will not mess up the cooling system activating the fan.

[mjc1994]

Water pump is confirmed to be fine, did a coolant bleed process. Let it run for ~10 minutes and there were no odd noises from the pump and the coolant pressure was solid.

Photo:

View post on imgur.com

[orca4wd]

Originally Posted by mjc1994

Water pump is confirmed to be fine, did a coolant bleed process. Let it run for ~10 minutes and there were no odd noises from the pump and the coolant pressure was solid.

Photo:

View post on imgur.com

Thank you for your posting. Good to know the recall did not mess up the coolant system, strange to hear your observation that the fan is kicking in more often than norm. I am going provide my custom coding list to service department hoping they can re-code it.

[Gamb1t]

Like to know how the car drives after the recall? I have a Dinansport tuner, am concern if it would mess it up.

[Kevlar74]

Originally Posted by mjc1994

Just got my E84 (28i, 2015) back from the dealer to have this done. I can confirm I lost all my custom coding, which is fine, but curious I know have the front radiator fan is kicking in a lot more often now. I scanned for codes but there's none, everything is green.

Maybe this is one of the behavior differences in the new coding as part of the recall? Surely if it was my water pump or thermostat it would be throwing a code..

Had my 2012 X1 recently done.
Noticed rad fan running more.

Hopefully what ever they adjusted helps engine. I've always thought engine ran little lean. Exhaust pipes always black and O2 sensor was black.

Fingers crossed

[orca4wd]

Originally Posted by Kevlar74

Had my 2012 X1 recently done.
Noticed rad fan running more.

Hopefully what ever they adjusted helps engine. I've always thought engine ran little lean. Exhaust pipes always black and O2 sensor was black.

Fingers crossed

I have not performed the recall and not sure if I will as my understanding lesser engine damage on an engine running rich in compared to lean air-fuel mixture. Heavy black carbon on the exhaust tailpipe would tell me the air-fuel mixture is rich. A lean air-fuel mixture would run hotter which could activate the radiator fan more?

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by Kevlar74

Had my 2012 X1 recently done.
Noticed rad fan running more.

Hopefully what ever they adjusted helps engine. I've always thought engine ran little lean. Exhaust pipes always black and O2 sensor was black.

Fingers crossed

I think you meant rich. Rich mixture would result in unburnt fuel dumped into the exhaust (and cat) resulting in soot accumulation in the exhaust pipes.

Since mine's a Sportline, the pipes are black to begin with, so this doesn't matter.

So how about folks who have Dinan or JB4 tunes? Would those still work and likely override the ECU anyway?

[Kevlar74]

[IMG][/IMG]
My O2 sensor I changed when rough start ups , cold weather stalls.

Didn't take long until symptoms returned.

I'm guessing previous owner messed with settings trying to increase HP ?

I've changed plugs twice and changed coils with only temporary results.

Since BMW updated software the engine starts no problem, even below freezing temperatures.