BMW X3 Engine Light + Weak Power: CCV Valve Symptoms?

Hey there! I had almost identical symptoms with my 2012 BMW X5 35i last winter. Engine light, sluggish acceleration, and unstable idle, it was definitely the crankcase ventilation system. After dealing with it firsthand, it's quite a common issue for these engines. My PCV valve was completely clogged, causing excessive pressure in the crankcase. The mechanic also found oil residue in the intake manifold, which was a direct result of the faulty valve. The fix required replacing the entire PCV valve assembly and cleaning the intake system. It wasn't just a quick fix, they had to remove several components to access everything properly. While it's not an engine-threatening issue if addressed promptly, ignoring it can lead to oil consumption problems and potential damage to seals. Based on your symptoms, I'd strongly recommend getting it checked soon. The repair wasn't overly complex, but it needed proper diagnostic tools and expertise with BMW engines. Good luck!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, as the symptoms you described match mine perfectly. I'm relieved to hear it wasn't something more serious. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since you got it fixed, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up, I'm really glad my previous post helped! After getting the crankcase ventilation valve replaced, my X5 has been running like a dream. Not a single problem since the repair, which ended up costing me 360 € for everything including labor. The repair sorted out all those annoying symptoms, no more check engine light, power's back to normal, and the idle is smooth as butter. The mechanic cleaned out all the oil residue while they were in there, so it was worth every penny. It's amazing what a difference fixing that one component made. I was worried it might be something way more expensive, but this was actually pretty reasonable for a BMW repair. If your symptoms are matching what I had, you'll probably be looking at a similar repair cost. Trust me, it's better to get it done sooner rather than later, you don't want that oil residue building up in your intake system. Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks for all the details! I actually ended up taking your advice and got it fixed last week. You were spot on, it was the crankcase ventilation valve. The repair cost was pretty similar to what you paid, and honestly, what a difference it's made! The mechanic I found was great, really took the time to explain everything and even showed me the old clogged valve. Pretty gross stuff in there! The car's running so much better now, no more check engine light, and the sluggish acceleration is completely gone. The idle's smooth as silk too. Funny thing is, I was so worried about getting ripped off, but this new mechanic was super honest and straightforward. Really glad I didn't put it off any longer. Thanks again for helping me make the decision to get it checked out, you saved me from potentially bigger problems down the road!