Has this Turbo failed? settle a dispute....
Discussion
I am getting an EML light, I am told by the dealer the turbo has failed, a third party warranty tells me this part has not failed.
Can anyone tell from this clip who is right?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8_RShJ3RnFfTz38w...
(it will be helpful to have the opinion of any mechanics/enthusiasts please?)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8_RShJ3RnFfTz38w...
2016 BMW 640 (54k miles) (full-service history main dealer)
(Note: all lines have been pressure tested, they also tested the pressure converters and some other valves)
update - 13 March: Changing the large turbo didn't correct the issue, the dealer is now suggesting changing the smaller turbo.
Can anyone tell from this clip who is right?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8_RShJ3RnFfTz38w...
(it will be helpful to have the opinion of any mechanics/enthusiasts please?)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8_RShJ3RnFfTz38w...
2016 BMW 640 (54k miles) (full-service history main dealer)
(Note: all lines have been pressure tested, they also tested the pressure converters and some other valves)
update - 13 March: Changing the large turbo didn't correct the issue, the dealer is now suggesting changing the smaller turbo.
Edited by LiveandLetLive on Saturday 13th March 18:50
Edited by LiveandLetLive on Saturday 13th March 19:00
I don't see how you're going to get any warranty to pay out when the part is in your kitchen and not on the car.
Leaving that aside, surely the logical way forward is to get the dealer who diagnosed the problem to fix the problem if the warranty company won't pay out. then make sure you keep the part and argue with the warranty company later. Perhaps that's precisely why the turbo is in your kitchen and not on the car? Anyway, you'll never win a court case based on "bloke on internet says". You'll need to get a turbo specialist to look at it and write a report.
A quick google suggests failed turbo CAN trigger EML. Is it a diesel?
Leaving that aside, surely the logical way forward is to get the dealer who diagnosed the problem to fix the problem if the warranty company won't pay out. then make sure you keep the part and argue with the warranty company later. Perhaps that's precisely why the turbo is in your kitchen and not on the car? Anyway, you'll never win a court case based on "bloke on internet says". You'll need to get a turbo specialist to look at it and write a report.
A quick google suggests failed turbo CAN trigger EML. Is it a diesel?
Athlon said:
Too much play in the shaft bearings, it will still work but the vanes will be touching the housing and there is a fair chance of oil blow by as well.
Can't see any marks on the housing though, there is play in turbot spindle normally. The best option is just recon the turbine. Depends what the value is, but best option is just get turbo tested to validate claim.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 12th March 21:33
The Spruce Goose said:
Athlon said:
Too much play in the shaft bearings, it will still work but the vanes will be touching the housing and there is a fair chance of oil blow by as well.
Can't see any marks on the housing though, there is play in turbot spindle normally. The best option is just recon the turbine. Athlon said:
Nor can I but did you see the float in the vid? Once it spools up it will be fine but as it encounters back pressure from a trailing throttle it will be all over the place. It is saveable but the question is ' is it buggered' and the answer is yes!
the shaft will be more stable once oil pressure is built up, which is why usual diagnostic of seeing the play isn't enough, and even compressed air. Needs a rig to check properly if there aren't obvious score marks i can[t actually see it touching the sides. As well as before removing any component garage would have checked boost pressure first as well.Heaveho said:
There'll always be a fraction of play without oil pressure. Difficult to be conclusive from that vid, but if the vanes can touch the housing, it's goosed.
There is the issue if the garage forced it, they could have damaged it, which if there are no marks, could be a possibility. Many warranty’s will only cover things like sudden catastrophic failure, the wriggle here is the car still works despite a worn turbo.
They exclude wear and tear so check the policy wording very carefully.
I think my call would have been ‘ car lost power suddenly, MIL light came on and it was undrivable’ diagnosis, failure of turbo.
They exclude wear and tear so check the policy wording very carefully.
I think my call would have been ‘ car lost power suddenly, MIL light came on and it was undrivable’ diagnosis, failure of turbo.
The garage made the vid for me (BMW main dealer). I know very little about cars, turbos, pressure control values. Appreciate the direction from this forum.
The engine management comes and goes into limp home mode. Stop start the car and it goes away for a while.
Dealer is suggesting we replace smaller turbo.
The dealer has been really good, I'm just gutted as after paying £70 a month the warranty company is trying to avoid paying. They are using every trick.
The engine management comes and goes into limp home mode. Stop start the car and it goes away for a while.
Dealer is suggesting we replace smaller turbo.
The dealer has been really good, I'm just gutted as after paying £70 a month the warranty company is trying to avoid paying. They are using every trick.
That’s the thing with warranties, they will only replaced a failed part, if the turbo still works then it’s not failed and they won’t cover it. If it does fail then they probably won’t cover it now because it was starting to fail and you failed to maintain the car and fix it before it failed.
We won’t deal with warranty companies now as it’s nothing but a ball ache.
We won’t deal with warranty companies now as it’s nothing but a ball ache.
i think the dealership are just used to replacing parts to fix.
i would take it to a turbo specialist. the thing is you can check quite a few things in situation. Your symptoms do sound like boost issue but it could be a leaking pipe, which with a full investigation should diagnose. The problem is the cost would probably end up the same as just replacing the turbo, but if there is another issue it won't solve it.
i would take it to a turbo specialist. the thing is you can check quite a few things in situation. Your symptoms do sound like boost issue but it could be a leaking pipe, which with a full investigation should diagnose. The problem is the cost would probably end up the same as just replacing the turbo, but if there is another issue it won't solve it.
If this is a 335d i'll put good bet on the boost control hoses having perished and the EML being due to that!
(all 335ds do this, because the rubber hoses run over the tops of the two hot turbo's and under the engine cover, and so get baked on each hot shut down. I replaced mine after about 5 years and 50 kmiles and they were totally goosed)
(all 335ds do this, because the rubber hoses run over the tops of the two hot turbo's and under the engine cover, and so get baked on each hot shut down. I replaced mine after about 5 years and 50 kmiles and they were totally goosed)
LiveandLetLive said:
The garage made the vid for me (BMW main dealer). I know very little about cars, turbos, pressure control values. Appreciate the direction from this forum.
The engine management comes and goes into limp home mode. Stop start the car and it goes away for a while.
Dealer is suggesting we replace smaller turbo.
The dealer has been really good, I'm just gutted as after paying £70 a month the warranty company is trying to avoid paying. They are using every trick.
If I were them, I would not be wanting to pay out on an incompetent and parts cannon and hope diagnosis either.The engine management comes and goes into limp home mode. Stop start the car and it goes away for a while.
Dealer is suggesting we replace smaller turbo.
The dealer has been really good, I'm just gutted as after paying £70 a month the warranty company is trying to avoid paying. They are using every trick.
Which it kinda sounds like this dealer is doing
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



