09-26-2011, 01:14 PM | #1 |
Private First Class
18
Rep 187
Posts |
Winter Corrosion Harzard. Design Problem?
Last night, I opened the hood, looking at the Front Left wheelarch, I'm totally Shock with what I see there.
There are 3 open holes that are totally exposing outside contaminant going in the engine compartment!!! These holes is right on the inside arch of the Front left wheel. Each of these holes are 1 inch in diameter. It looks like these holes are holding some kind of sensor. In the harsh Quebec Winter environment and salt paved road, these three holes is definitely bad for corrosion!! Has anyone find this is a bad design? or is it just me having this problem?? I'll try to take a picture, so you guys know where I'm talking about. |
09-29-2011, 08:09 AM | #3 |
Enlisted Member
3
Rep 38
Posts |
Interesting. I had the bonnet open a couple of weeks ago as my father in law likes looking at engines. I'd actually never bothered opening it before myself. But he noticed those holes immediately too.
He was more concerned about water and mud coming through from the wheel arch into the engine compartment but I'd done some driving in very heavy rain recently and the engine bay was spotless so it doesn't seem to be an issue. Hadn't thought about corrosion but I don't live in an area where this is much of an issue. Plus there's the corrosion warranty anyway. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2011, 10:53 AM | #4 |
Private First Class
18
Rep 187
Posts |
Here is the picture....
I now realize the the Front Left wheel arch area has 3 1 inch diameter opening and you know what. There is another 3 inch diameter hole on top of that!! Take a look of yours and tell me what you think. At first sight, it seems like that BMW are making these hole for the Right hand drive version, because on the Right side, there's some other sensor or plug that is occupying the same area, but for Right wheel arch.. I'm SHOCK>>>>>> |
Appreciate
0
|
10-05-2011, 07:34 AM | #5 |
Captain
14
Rep 633
Posts |
Sounds like a good use for some duct tape.
__________________
His: 2016 Jag F-Type 'S' Italian Racing Red
Hers: 2012 E84 Deep Sea Blue xDrive28i with HK, CA, PDC, Nav+Prem+Conv+Light Pkgs |
Appreciate
0
|
10-05-2011, 09:48 AM | #6 |
Private First Class
18
Rep 187
Posts |
I think i will end up using some PRC to glue up this huge opening with stainless steel aviation duct tape.
I can't accept this flaw from bmw |
Appreciate
0
|
10-05-2011, 05:13 PM | #7 |
New Member
4
Rep 9
Posts |
I would love for someone from BMW to comment on the purpose of these holes... I noticed them as well on day 1 of my RHD purchase and wondered the same questions...
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-06-2011, 03:05 AM | #8 |
Private First Class
18
Rep 187
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-06-2011, 04:20 AM | #9 |
New Member
2
Rep 22
Posts |
Yeah, that's a bit of a surprise, holes like this can exist in a chassis as they are often standardised across the range, but normally unused holes would be plugged.
Need to check mine when the wife gets back. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-06-2011, 05:10 AM | #10 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 31
Posts |
The german X1 forum found out:
These adaptors are for an ADDITIONAL WATER PUMP for the heating. Do you remember, in earlier models bmw's climatic control panels had a "Rest-knob"...the engine has'nt to run and once activated these pump circulated the still warm cooling water through the heat exchanger. It seems that there a configuration exists where that pump is still build in. I know from a xDrive 23D and a sDrive 18i. On the part of BMW for these 3 holes is no solution in sight. So to prevent dirt to enter the engine bay, take duck tape and fix it. (sorry for my bad english) Last edited by Fliegenfranz; 10-06-2011 at 05:20 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-06-2011, 06:43 AM | #11 |
Catuvellauni
5
Rep 92
Posts |
Just checked my car for these holes, and to say that I'm unimpressed with BMW is an understatement. There is simply no excuse not to have a correctly designed blanking plate for these holes.
Another example of accountant cost cutting. Add this to the poor quality windscreen rubber seals that were 'fixed (bodged) with tape rather than changed, and 'iffy' quality interior door handles on a car that is meant to be a premium product that also produces very high margins of profit for BMW, and all I can say is "accountants 5 customers 0". Customer focus, joy? Hmmm. Unless there is a free retro fit of a correctly desighed blanking plate for these holes, when I come to change my car BMW will have lost a customer. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-08-2011, 11:04 AM | #12 |
Captain
14
Rep 633
Posts |
Taped them up now from both sides. Will see how long it lasts.
__________________
His: 2016 Jag F-Type 'S' Italian Racing Red
Hers: 2012 E84 Deep Sea Blue xDrive28i with HK, CA, PDC, Nav+Prem+Conv+Light Pkgs |
Appreciate
0
|
11-17-2011, 11:54 PM | #14 | |
New Member
9
Rep 28
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2011, 05:48 AM | #15 |
Captain
14
Rep 633
Posts |
Isn't it on your car too?
__________________
His: 2016 Jag F-Type 'S' Italian Racing Red
Hers: 2012 E84 Deep Sea Blue xDrive28i with HK, CA, PDC, Nav+Prem+Conv+Light Pkgs |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|