320d turbo problem

stratowide

Just had my 320d e90(new model)through the nct.Barely passed the emmission's test.Tester said the turbo is leaking oil into the engine.

Get home and have a look at the turbo shaft,nice bit of play in it so is definitely on the way out.

1..Where is the beat place to get a turbo.
2..Will a reconditioned one be as good as a new one.
3..Do I need filters or feed pipes when replacing it.

I will be fitting it myself.

Thank's

msg11

stratowide wrote: »

Just had my 320d e90(new model)through the nct.Barely passed the emmission's test.Tester said the turbo is leaking oil into the engine.

Get home and have a look at the turbo shaft,nice bit of play in it so is definitely on the way out.

1..Where is the beat place to get a turbo.
2..Will a reconditioned one be as good as a new one.
3..Do I need filters or feed pipes when replacing it.

I will be fitting it myself.

Thank's

1. The best place to get it would be online. DoneDeal have a good selection of new/used(low milage)/reconditioned...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/carextras/2122376

2. A reconditioned is just as good as a new one. It's nearly as new parts in the turbo, so it would be just as good as a brand new one if not the same.

3. I would recommend changing the gaskets while the turbo and manifold are off the car. As for hoses, useless there is signs of wear and tear then leave them be.

Fishtits

Why did the turbo fail?

Replacing a failed turbo is a pointless exercise unless you can identify the cause for failure.

Was the car properly maintained? does it have a full manufacturer specific maintenance history? i.e. if you paid less than €100 euro for the oil alone during an oil change, then I'd be asking questions.

These cars go forever if you give them what they want.

Nissan doctor

As above, you need to pinpoint the cause of the turbo failure. You need to make sure all the oil lines are clear and flowing oil, that's the main cause of turbo's failing. They often block with gunge when the incorrect oil has been used or, in the case of your BM, the breather filter hasn't been regularly changed.

JohnCleary

I took mine out myself on my E46 (pig of a job, needed help from a mechanic friend + tools) and sent it to Turbo Technics in the UK - Good price from what I recall (about £300 for a total re-furb), the guys clearly knew what they were on about and had excellent communication (rang me a few times etc.)

Wheelnut

I'm a bit confused by Strato's post. On the one hand he says he has examined the turbo himself and will do the changing work himself. I have a similar car and the engine does not even look like an engine so I am impressed with his work so far. On the other hand he asks some very basic questions that should be no problem to a guy who can do what he has done and will do.

Nissan doctor

Wheelnut wrote: »

I'm a bit confused by Strato's post. On the one hand he says he has examined the turbo himself and will do the changing work himself. I have a similar car and the engine does not even look like an engine so I am impressed with his work so far. On the other hand he asks some very basic questions that should be no problem to a guy who can do what he has done and will do.

It looks the same as any other modern diesel engine

challengemaster

Nissan doctor wrote: »

As above, you need to pinpoint the cause of the turbo failure. You need to make sure all the oil lines are clear and flowing oil, that's the main cause of turbo's failing. They often block with gunge when the incorrect oil has been used or, in the case of your BM, the breather filter hasn't been regularly changed.

AFAIK, the breather filter isn't even on BMW service manuals, so it wont be done even if you have a dealer service done.

Best job you can do is order a vortex type breather filter from a BMW dealer, they're a LOT more durable and less prone to issues than the usual type, which might only last 15-20k miles.

Also depending on the year of the car, I'd look in to blanking the swirl flaps while you're messing around with the engine anyway

msg11

Nissan doctor wrote: »

As above, you need to pinpoint the cause of the turbo failure. You need to make sure all the oil lines are clear and flowing oil, that's the main cause of turbo's failing. They often block with gunge when the incorrect oil has been used or, in the case of your BM, the breather filter hasn't been regularly changed.

I was under the impression that turbos like any part of the car can just fail over time due to usage or bad usage causing premature end of the turbo.

So would it be reasonable to say that it could have just failed by itself?

Also people just getting into there turbo cars not letting the oil heat up and get pumped around the engine and putting the foot down.

Nforce

msg11 wrote: »

I was under the impression that turbos like any part of the car can just fail over time due to usage or bad usage causing premature end of the turbo.

So would it be reasonable to say that it could have just failed by itself?
.

That would be my point of view. My 2001 320d (136bhp version with the "reliable" turbo) self destructed a few months ago despite being meticulously serviced..ie Castrol Edge oil,changed every 6k miles with the crankcase breather filter done every 12k miles. My car had 168k miles on the clock at the time. I've since had the turbo rebuilt,the manifold removed and cleaned,oil channels,oil pick up pipe and cat were also checked and cleaned out where appropriate.

Wheelnut

Nissan doctor wrote: »

It looks the same as any other modern diesel engine

Just a turn-of-phrase for saying that it's a complex engine.

Nissan doctor

msg11 wrote: »

I was under the impression that turbos like any part of the car can just fail over time due to usage or bad usage causing premature end of the turbo.

So would it be reasonable to say that it could have just failed by itself?

Also people just getting into there turbo cars not letting the oil heat up and get pumped around the engine and putting the foot down.

Parts can and do just wear out with age, especially something that spins at thousands or RPM. But a turbo is a component that can very easily be effected by other issues so would you want to take the chance and fit a new turbo only to find that actually an oil feed or coolant feed was blocked and have to buy another new turbo within a very short time?

Similar story with catalytic converters, It is very rare that a cat failure is not due to a kncok on effect from a fuelling issue or oil burning issue or some other primary source.

challengemaster

msg11 wrote: »

I was under the impression that turbos like any part of the car can just fail over time due to usage or bad usage causing premature end of the turbo.

So would it be reasonable to say that it could have just failed by itself?

Also people just getting into there turbo cars not letting the oil heat up and get pumped around the engine and putting the foot down.

Could have indeed as Nissan Doc says, but if you google 320d blown turbo you'll get a surprising amount of results...

If it is just deterioration over time, then replacing / refurbing will sort the problem, but if it's caused by an underlying problem, which usually is the case (as I already said, crankcase breather filter isn't part of a BMW dealer service) then you're only lining yourself up for an empty wallet sooner or later. It's easier to check these things and prevent it recurring due to a simple issue rather than having to buy a 3rd turbo....

Another issue could just be people having no cop on, as you said, not letting the oil heat up before putting the foot down - opposite is also true, coming straight off full boost and turning the car off half a minute later will rightly screw the turbo

stratowide

Wheelnut wrote: »

I'm a bit confused by Strato's post. On the one hand he says he has examined the turbo himself and will do the changing work himself. I have a similar car and the engine does not even look like an engine so I am impressed with his work so far. On the other hand he asks some very basic questions that should be no problem to a guy who can do what he has done and will do.

Having served an apprenticship many years ago as a mechanic I'm not familiar with modern diesels.I work as a mobile plant fitter now,and have been out of the car game too long to know even where to buy a turbo,new or otherwise.

Some good post's here,There is 210,00 km on the engine.Don't think the small filter under the rocker filter was ever changed.Didnt even know it was there.Will change that.
Always used fully synthetic oil since I've had it.
I will clean both suction and pressure lines into the turbo along with new gaskets.
I guess the shaft just got tired of turning.

HJL

Nforce wrote: »

That would be my point of view. My 2001 320d (136bhp version with the "reliable" turbo) self destructed a few months ago despite being meticulously serviced..ie Castrol Edge oil,changed every 6k miles with the crankcase breather filter done every 12k miles. My car had 168k miles on the clock at the time. I've since had the turbo rebuilt,the manifold removed and cleaned,oil channels,oil pick up pipe and cat were also checked and cleaned out where appropriate.

:eek: im nearly at 167k

Any warning signs before it went?

Nforce

No warning at all. I was enroute to Galway on the M6 motorway when I noticed the car starting to smoke badly. Before I got a chance to pull in the turbo exploded causing the engine to run on even with the ignition turned off.

HJL

How did you stop it, stall it in a high gear?

How much did it set you back to get it back on the road?

Nforce

HJL wrote: »

How did you stop it, stall it in a high gear?

How much did it set you back to get it back on the road?

Yep,I had to stall it. Cost me €850 all in.


btw,I've since replaced the wishbones and bushings again and have had the relays in the GMV module replaced. Sweet as a nut to drive again!:cool:

HJL

Nforce wrote: »

Yep,I had to stall it. Cost me €850 all in.


btw,I've since replaced the wishbones and bushings again and have had the relays in the GMV module replaced. Sweet as a nut to drive again!:cool:

Good to hear its going good again, hopefully you will have trouble free motoring now for good while.

What is the GMV module, something to do with the central locking?

I have had the wishbones and bushes done twice since ive had it, first set i bought only lasted 24k miles

Nforce

HJL wrote: »

Good to hear its going good again, hopefully you will have trouble free motoring now for good while.

What is the GMV module, something to do with the central locking?

I have had the wishbones and bushes done twice since ive had it, first set i bought only lasted 24k miles

The GMV is the general body module, controls the central locking and wipers. The relays burn out on them over time leading to central locking issues (car will lock but won't open.. except the drivers door when using the key). I sent my GMV to a guy in the UK and he replaced the relays (cost me ~€90 compared to buying a new unit from BMW @ €400+).
I've put in a set of FEBI wishbones,should last for a few years now. Car drives like new again. I'll probably sell it off now as it's not being used since I bought the bangernomics Opel Omega.

Captain Slow IRL

challengemaster wrote: »

AFAIK, the breather filter isn't even on BMW service manuals, so it wont be done even if you have a dealer service done.............

I worked in one for a few years and while they weren't in the service booklet, they were recommended to the customer with every 3rd oil change (with cbs cars)

Bavarian Technik (spelling?) in Limerick seem to be very reasonable for turbo's and Turbo Technics in the UK also seem to be a very reputable crowd to deal with.