PeteVogel
Problem with black smoke and loss of power in BMW X1 successfully resolved with lambda sensor repair
Check engine light on
Loss of engine power
Jerking on acceleration
Poor fuel economy
Black smoke from exhaust on acceleration
Unsteady engine
(Translated from German)
83 comment(s)
Hey, glad I could help you! Yes, after the lambda sensor was checked and repaired, I definitely didn't have any more similar problems. It keeps an eye on the oxygen content in the exhaust gases so that the fuel-air mixture is always optimally regulated. Since then, the engine has been running great. As for the costs, they were really reasonable: I paid around €55 to have it repaired. So it was really worth going to the garage. I wish you the best of luck with your X1. Have the workshop take another look at the lambda sensor and don't worry - everything will be fine! Stay in touch! Best regards!
(Translated from German)
Best Answer
Hello everyone, I would also say that the symptoms definitely indicate a problem with the lambda sensor. With over 100,000 kilometers on the odometer of your X1, it is quite possible that the lambda sensor is no longer performing to its full potential. As already mentioned, it controls the oxygen content in the exhaust gases and thus regulates the perfect air-fuel ratio. If it fails, this can have a major impact on engine performance and fuel consumption. The good news - as already mentioned - repairs to the lambda sensor are generally not that expensive and it's not a big job either. So get your X1 checked at a garage as soon as possible. But be careful with garages, sometimes they quickly add something to the bill that isn't actually necessary. Take advantage of several offers and compare the prices. Good luck with your car and let us know how it goes! Best regards!
(Translated from German)
Hi everyone, I just wanted to give a quick update. I went to the garage the next day and explained the situation. The mechanic immediately checked the lambda sensor and it was indeed the problem. The good news is that it really wasn't a big job and not as expensive as I had feared. Everything went smoothly. I only paid 70 euros for the repair - an amazingly fair price. Since then, my car has been driving like a dream again, with no black smoke and normal engine performance. I am really relieved that everything went so well and that the mechanic was so competent and honest. Thank you all so much for your advice and support. It has helped me enormously and eased my worries considerably. I now feel much more confident with my car and have learned that I shouldn't drive myself crazy too quickly. Thanks to you, my experiences have shown me how valuable it is to share such problem situations with others and get advice. Thanks again to you all. See you all next time and have a safe journey! Best regards!
(Translated from German)
@FranziSchneidi
Hey, I can well understand how you feel. Your symptoms remind me of my own experience with my 2016 BMW X3. I also had a slight drop in engine power and the check engine light came on, similar to yours. The garage checked my lambda sensor at the time and it was the cause of my problems. It was simply no longer measuring the exhaust fumes correctly, which led to the reduction in performance. The jerking when accelerating and the higher fuel consumption are also typical signs that the sensor is no longer working correctly. I can reassure you: repairing the lambda sensor is actually quite simple and doesn't take much time. Definitely get it checked at a garage, but don't worry too much - it wasn't a big deal on my X3 anyway. Good luck and keep me posted! Best regards!
I had every single symptom you described on my 2011 bmw e90 328i. Would have a rough idle on cold start, whistling noise at times, engine would stumble at red lights and rpms would wildly fluctuate, poor acceleration, smoke coming out the exhaust. I would get codes regarding catalytic converter conversion 2, lambda sensor, 3 bad O2 sensors. I took it to my mechanic and apparently my ccv was bad. I had a vacuum leak that was throwing off a lot of different systems.
@gomezelian7
I had every single symptom you described on my 2011 bmw e90 328i. Would have a rough idle on cold start, whistling noise at times, engine would stumble at red lights and rpms would wildly fluctuate, poor acceleration, smoke coming out the exhaust. I would get codes regarding catalytic converter conversion 2, lambda sensor, 3 bad O2 sensors. I took it to my mechanic and apparently my ccv was bad. I had a vacuum leak that was throwing off a lot of different systems.
Hello, So you had the catalytic converter and some vacuum hoses replaced? Do I understand that correctly?
(Translated from German)
My car is a diesel Range Rover Sport. The lambda sensor fault was accompanied by a diesel filter fault. My problem may be due to a poor quality DEF (first use of this brand), or the post-filter air intake hose having been poorly connected. The car is currently in limp mode and is scheduled for repairs next week. Perhaps it is just me, but I find the Carly Smart Mechanic advice overly complicated and not very well integrated. My suggestion is to work with average car owners and have them interact with the Smart Mechanic, asking questions as they go. The advice should be in plain, easy to understand language. As it stands I have to take the advice to a specialist for translation, which obviates the usefulness of the app.
@Shrinktfit
My car is a diesel Range Rover Sport. The lambda sensor fault was accompanied by a diesel filter fault. My problem may be due to a poor quality DEF (first use of this brand), or the post-filter air intake hose having been poorly connected. The car is currently in limp mode and is scheduled for repairs next week. Perhaps it is just me, but I find the Carly Smart Mechanic advice overly complicated and not very well integrated. My suggestion is to work with average car owners and have them interact with the Smart Mechanic, asking questions as they go. The advice should be in plain, easy to understand language. As it stands I have to take the advice to a specialist for translation, which obviates the usefulness of the app.
I get along really well with the help from Carly Smart Mechanic. If you need help, get in touch with the support team - it really helped me once!
(Translated from German)
Hey, I can well understand how you feel. Your symptoms remind me of my own experience with my 2016 BMW X3. I also had a slight drop in engine power and the check engine light came on, similar to yours. The garage checked my lambda sensor at the time and it was the cause of my problems. It was simply no longer measuring the exhaust fumes correctly, which led to the reduction in performance. The jerking when accelerating and the higher fuel consumption are also typical signs that the sensor is no longer working correctly. I can reassure you: repairing the lambda sensor is actually quite simple and doesn't take much time. Definitely get it checked at a garage, but don't worry too much - it wasn't a big deal on my X3 anyway. Good luck and keep me posted! Best regards!
(Translated from German)