335d Turbo Failure

[phelix]

I "lost" my small turbo for a while (early 535d); it turned out just to be a vacuum hose that had chafed through.

[TOM500]

Very strange, was driving up the M40 on Saturday and exactly this has happned. First turbo deffinately not kicking in, then as revs climb the second one hits and pings you towards the horizon. Going in tomorrow for a full check over. What is more worrying is (though failure is not confirmed and it may just be a hose issue) is that mine has only done 27k and been fastidiously looked after. Will make a post when the Dr has made his report.

[Vee]

roofer said:

Its the Turbo actuator, i've had 2 so far.

Mine is doing nothing until c2,500 rpm so assume small turbo has a fault.

Tom, does a failed actuator mean new turbo or can the actuator only be changed ? Any idea of cost it so ?
Mine has no warranty and is going into BMW tomorrow.

[roofer]

Hello mate, its usually a vacuum pipe that runs through the heat shield on top of small turbo. Easy fix, it knocks the small turbo out.

[Vee]

roofer said:

Hello mate, its usually a vacuum pipe that runs through the heat shield on top of small turbo. Easy fix, it knocks the small turbo out.

As ever, thanks for the guidance.
Hopefully this is all it is.

[Cyclone1]

Blocked breather and loose/damaged turbo to intercooler flexi hose.......

Two very common problems on these cars, some will have been fixed via BMW others will be waiting to fail. Should have been a recall as the problem has been known for two years.

Jules.

[Vee]

Thanks all. BMW called earlier to say they need a further 1/2 hour to diagnose whether it is a valve or a vaacum pipe. What they've done for the 1st 1/2 hour they've already charged for I don't know.
Being over a barrel springs to mind.

ps Jules, I'm pretty sure you know this particular car very well. ie it's your old one !

[Vladimir]

ProfTournesol said:

Just a quick note to ask whether anyone else has suffered a similar fate?

On the weekend I was driving my 2007 335d on the M4 at a sensible speed when the power suddenly dropped. On accelerating the gearbox would kickdown but speed gain was glacial. It felt like I was driving through treacle.

Dropped the car into a main dealer on Monday, today I have been informed that both turbos have suffered a mechanical failure and will need to be replaced. Luckily the original warranty had two more weeks to run so all work will be covered by BMW.

Has anyone had this problem? My car is a high-spec coupe SE but with no mechanical mods, ie ECU tweaks. Mileage is 46k and I have had the car from new. Judging by my trawl thru 335d related posts I am certainly not as an enthusisatic driver as some of my fellow owners.

Apart from this problem its been a very reliable daily smoker for me, fast yet reasonably economical. Sure its not as exciting/visceral as some of my past and present stuff but day-to-day its a good compromise.

I was planning on keeping it for work but now not so sure. I wonder if this is a good high mileage car or if its an over-tuned disaster in the making? I will certainly get the extended warranty if I decide to keep it. BMW quoted £346 for 12 months including road side assistance but with a £250 excess on repairs - which doesnt seem too bad.

I guess this thread might also be useful to owners of 535d and X5 sd. Surely there must be some high milers out there?

Hmmm - this is a bit worrying (I have a late 06 335d)! I have done loads of research and checked with BMW tech mates and the 35d unit (apart from the very early one in the 535d) is generally pretty bomp proof. Might just be bad luck.

Out of interest, have you had your intercooler pipe refitted? Most seem to need this when oil leaks slightly through it - had mine done when I bought it at 16k miles. Some seem to do a "proper" replacement job, others just do a bit of a bodge fix. Luckily I had the former.

Edited by Vladimir on Thursday 3rd March 16:09

[roofer]

I had 2 intercooler pipes in first 60k, Turbo performance unaffected when seals leak oil.

[Cyclone1]

Vee said:

Thanks all. BMW called earlier to say they need a further 1/2 hour to diagnose whether it is a valve or a vaacum pipe. What they've done for the 1st 1/2 hour they've already charged for I don't know.
Being over a barrel springs to mind.

ps Jules, I'm pretty sure you know this particular car very well. ie it's your old one !

Hi Vishal,

Diagnosis is usually slow if it's not obvious, however if they need to swap a part to fully diagnose and they haven't got it in stock then this can cause delay....at your cost of course......

How are you....how's the car?

[Cyclone1]

roofer said:

I had 2 intercooler pipes in first 60k, Turbo performance unaffected when seals leak oil.

Not surprising and as long as they are detected fairly early then chances are no long term damage, however if it's left for a long period of time then something has to give...

Jules.

[Vee]

Cyclone1 said:

Hi Vishal,

Diagnosis is usually slow if it's not obvious, however if they need to swap a part to fully diagnose and they haven't got it in stock then this can cause delay....at your cost of course......

How are you....how's the car?

I'm fine thanks, car has also been fine for the past 30k miles . . . until now.
Perfect for my wifes mileage and driving style but bores me when I use it. I'd prefer a manual 330/35i/M3 personally.
People continue to comment on those exhaust tips.

[Cyclone1]

Vee said:

I'm fine thanks, car has also been fine for the past 30k miles . . . until now.
Perfect for my wifes mileage and driving style but bores me when I use it. I'd prefer a manual 330/35i/M3 personally.
People continue to comment on those exhaust tips.

That's good to hear.

You are right in that they are not exactly driver's cars but are great mileage munching hacks.
I still think the tips finished the car off nicely at the rear (not the best looking car to be fair), whenever I see a 335 with the std tips they just don't look right, but I am sure to many othe they do.

Hope it get's sorted quickly.

Jules

[Vee]

Diagnosis in . . .
Vacuum pipe and changeover valve on the primary turbo.
£649 all in to replace at a London BMW dealer. Labour a couple of hours I'm told so say £450 for the parts.

Having to get it done but any views whether this is a reasonable ?

[Cyclone1]

Vee said:

Diagnosis in . . .
Vacuum pipe and changeover valve on the primary turbo.
£649 all in to replace at a London BMW dealer. Labour a couple of hours I'm told so say £450 for the parts.

Having to get it done but any views whether this is a reasonable ?

Incredibly expensive (unless costing you for both parts) and I would ask for the price to be itemised. Need to ask which part actually failed either the vac hose (most likely) or the valve, or are they both failed (hose contributed to valve failing?!?)? I would also discuss that as a failure this isn't something you should expect at the age of the car and out of courtesy could they not meet the cost of repairs half way?

Jules.

[Vee]

Hi Jules
Yes, both parts supposedly failed.
I've asked them for a breakdown of parts and labour before giving the go ahead. Also awaitign Cotswold Parts to give me a price for the parts alone.

Car is on over 70k with no warranty. I'd assumed goodwill would be unlikely.

[Cyclone1]

Vee said:

Car is on over 70k with no warranty. I'd assumed goodwill would be unlikely.

If you don't ask then you don't get.....especially if the servicing has been kept up to date. It's not exactly a wear part and also one that shouldn't fail, if the vac hose has contributed to the valve failing then try it on saying you'll pay for the cost of the hose replacement and labour but not the valve.....goodwill etc I've always had BMW's over the past 20 years etc etc

Give it a go you may be surprised!

Jules.

[roofer]

Vee, the changeover valve is fiction. Its the vacuum pipe. As soon as you take the engine cover off, they all go into the actuator at the left rear of engine (black grenade looking thing) the pipes elbow here and let go, also through the heat shield on top of turbo, there are 4. Splicing them with off the shelf hose from Halfords cost me £2.35 inclusive of VAT. Where is the car? I have some hose spare somewhere.

[GarryA]

Ask for the part numbers of the bits they are fitting, check them out on realoem.com.

[Tacklebury]

I've looked at turbo prices for my 535d.

Small turbo is around the £900 mark, large turbo £1600.

Well worth the £350 extended warranty!!

I have done 67k so far, no turbo issues for me, drive car hard, but only when warmed.