2007 BMW X3 3.0i - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Perhaps one of the cylinders are misfiring. Did you get CEL (Check Engine Light)? If so, you need someone with OBD reader to read the codes. I had same issue: turned out to be faulty coil on cylinder 4. When is the last time you changed spark plugs?

BMW SUCKS

have the battery load tested at the local auto parts store

I would say go to autozone have the faults cleared. And battery tested, sounds like the vanos solenoid was the culprite not the battery let me know

Mr. Williams. just take it to your mechanic who will fill it with watter and by using a radiator pressure test tool will immediately give you the answer and the cost of repair.

replace thermostat and the temp sensor on the housing.

almost sounds like the air tubing came lose behind or under the dash. reconnect the hoses.

Have you traced the hot wire up to the source to see where is loses voltage, you have to do that. You will need a 12 volt test light, about $5 at any auto parts store or sears.

possible causes are crankshaft position sensor cam shaft position sensor/s ignition control module broken timing belt/chain

If it is black sooty smoke injectors are putting to much fuel into the cylinders so they may need to be tested Whitish grey smoke could be extra oil burning due to busted cylinder rings or head gasket allowing coolant into cylinder

has any lights come on the dash. like engine light abs or a spanner light?

disconnect battery wait 5 min reconnect battery or take it to auto zone have them reset

I would suggest taking it to a shop... however if you have the means there is a plug on the transmission that you remove and if fluid drips out it is good if no fluid then add. There is no dipstick

how long does it take ? it can be the thermostat that is stuck open

You might have transmission problem. It could be low fluid level or could be an internal transmission failure. I suggest you to have the fluid level checked for quality. Another thing you can try to reset your transmission. BMW transmission would help you to know about the transmission better.

This will depend on the color of the smoke. A bluish color would indicate that you are burning oil. There may be bad oil seals somewhere in the engine. A common place where oil comes in is in the spark plug. Inspect the plugs for oil. Each of the holes for the plugs has rubber seals which prevents oil from entering. Have the plugs replaced if it has been fouled and the rings.
If it is a white color, it is antifreeze or radiator fluid that you are burning. Check the head gasket. If it is a black colored smoke, you are running rich. Try cleaning the intake with a electrical cleaner spray to clean out the MAF sensor. Check also if your O2 sensor has been disconnected.
At times the engine light does not turn on but there are cases that an error may have been detected in the past. It would also be a good idea to use a scanner to retrieve errors. Some shops would let you borrow one. If there is an error it would help us determine the problem accurately.

need fault code more info

The last post is correct, but I also have a few tips and pictures.

1. Open hood.
2. Use a small flat screwdriver to CAREFULLY pry open cap leading to the headlight. Start directly underneath the tab that says "V2." Be careful not to break the tabs! -- to do this simply push the small screwdriver under the, as you push it in, you will hear the clip release. The cap will pop and remove very easily after that.
3. Pull out wires, unplug burned out bulb - this clips in with what I can see is a spring clip. I reccomend using a cloth when removing and replacing the bulb. This will protect your hand if the bulb breaks by accident. Also some halogen bulbs will pop/break if your hands leave oily residue on the bulb. When the bulb heats, the oil heats too and can break the bulb.

jack the car up and spin the wheel listen to see if there is a droneing sound if so its a wheel bearing that needs to be replaced

sounds like a short between the mirror control wire and the passenger side unlock wire, probably the wires have rubbed trough the insulation, you have to locate the wires and put some insulation tape on the spot they have rubbed trough,