2002 330d - Oh no, oil leak is turbo. Options/advice please.
Discussion
330d 2002
Replaced the FCABs last weekend- noticed oil over the CV joint and undertray. Gutted. Took it to local indy who said it's from the turbo and that it needs a new turbo now) obviously my heart and wallet are sad!!
I'm sure as a mechanic he has seen it all before but could he be wrong? The turbo sounds fine, no loss of power, it doesn't appear to be much oil but i don't know how long it's been leaking.
I'm pretty poor at the moment so any other option other than a new turbo would make me smile again!! ??
Thing is I want(ed) to keep it for another 5 years or so as I love it - real great allround car. Best car i've had.
Is it worth taking it to a BMW specialist indy for a second opinion (i'm in Kent England)? What money would a check like this cost?
What options are open on this type of turbo?
Thanks in advance
Replaced the FCABs last weekend- noticed oil over the CV joint and undertray. Gutted. Took it to local indy who said it's from the turbo and that it needs a new turbo now) obviously my heart and wallet are sad!!
I'm sure as a mechanic he has seen it all before but could he be wrong? The turbo sounds fine, no loss of power, it doesn't appear to be much oil but i don't know how long it's been leaking.
I'm pretty poor at the moment so any other option other than a new turbo would make me smile again!! ??
Thing is I want(ed) to keep it for another 5 years or so as I love it - real great allround car. Best car i've had.
Is it worth taking it to a BMW specialist indy for a second opinion (i'm in Kent England)? What money would a check like this cost?
What options are open on this type of turbo?
Thanks in advance
Cheers you're probably right . Not satisfied either- hence posting around the e46 forums.
It was already leaking prior to changing the bushes as it was all over the undertray.
bimmerforums guy saying crankcase breather or like you split/leaking hosing. Never seen a leaking turbo unit
Fingers crossed it's that - I couldnt see anything obvious when i looked prior to taking it to the indy
but i will look harder and check/change the breather
It was already leaking prior to changing the bushes as it was all over the undertray.
bimmerforums guy saying crankcase breather or like you split/leaking hosing. Never seen a leaking turbo unit
Fingers crossed it's that - I couldnt see anything obvious when i looked prior to taking it to the indy
but i will look harder and check/change the breather
PM a chap called "nsi" on here. (He's a colleague of mine and all round nice chap).
He had a 2003 330D on which the turbo went so he's well versed in all the questions you're crapping yourself about at the minute. He also ended up replacing it himself (he tried to get it refurbed but it was too shagged) - and will have some links to his build threads on bimmerforums etc.
He had a 2003 330D on which the turbo went so he's well versed in all the questions you're crapping yourself about at the minute. He also ended up replacing it himself (he tried to get it refurbed but it was too shagged) - and will have some links to his build threads on bimmerforums etc.
Replace the breather and also check it's not the inlet manifold leaking oil. Mine was horrendous when I bought it. Leaking like a winner and subsequently had oil running onto the undercarriage. Replaced the swirl flaps and the leaked stopped. Cleaned up the block etc in the process and it was dry within a day or two.
It might be the turbo, but inless it's noisy, rattling and chucking white smoke out of the back, then it might not.
It might be the turbo, but inless it's noisy, rattling and chucking white smoke out of the back, then it might not.
Has it got a separate oil feed pipe - that would be a likely suspect.
A blown or faulty turbo is far more likely to be passing oil into the intercool and pipework. A sure sign is smoke on start up (white ish) and under hard acceleration.
There is a guide somewhere on a DIY check of end play on the net - am sure I saw it recently.
The 330d is known for turbo failures, but they usually go with a bang or start rattling. It almost sounds like a lazy diagnosis?
If the seals had gone it would definately be showing smoke?
Hope you get it sorted.
A blown or faulty turbo is far more likely to be passing oil into the intercool and pipework. A sure sign is smoke on start up (white ish) and under hard acceleration.
There is a guide somewhere on a DIY check of end play on the net - am sure I saw it recently.
The 330d is known for turbo failures, but they usually go with a bang or start rattling. It almost sounds like a lazy diagnosis?
If the seals had gone it would definately be showing smoke?
Hope you get it sorted.
miln0039 said:
PM a chap called "nsi" on here. (He's a colleague of mine and all round nice chap).
He had a 2003 330D on which the turbo went so he's well versed in all the questions you're crapping yourself about at the minute. He also ended up replacing it himself (he tried to get it refurbed but it was too shagged) - and will have some links to his build threads on bimmerforums etc.
haha, cheers buddy.He had a 2003 330D on which the turbo went so he's well versed in all the questions you're crapping yourself about at the minute. He also ended up replacing it himself (he tried to get it refurbed but it was too shagged) - and will have some links to his build threads on bimmerforums etc.
Blocked crank case breather will cause premature turbo failure because the piston blow by pressureises the crank, and this pressure is normally relieved by the breather. But when blocked it takes the path of least resistance, which is commonly the oil seals on the turbo.
As halo says, when the turbo goes pop you'll notice a lack of power, f
k-loads of white smoke and a rattle. But by the time you notice these symptoms it will already be dead. If caught super early it's possible to recondition the turbo with new bearings and seals. However by the time the seals have blown and you see the smoke the turbo will pretty much have welded itself into a lump. This is what happened to mine.New turbo was about £900+vat. I fitted it myself and replaced the crank case breather and inlet manifold gaskets whilst I was in there. Oh, also fitted a decat as my cat was full of oil. (Also remove and clean out all the intake pipes to prevent a potential "runaway" on first restart.) It's a bit of a pig of a job though. It can be done by just unbolting the turbo leaving the exhaust manifold in place, but I struggled for space and ended up taking off the airbox, which is above the exhaust manifold. The only problem with this that the airbox on the M57N engine is also part of the same moulding as the cam cover. So you have to take off the fuel rail and injectors to get the bugger off. But as I proved, it's possible for a Chartered Accountant with no mechanical training to complete the job!
On top of the turbo I also spent about £400 on bits like gaskets, decat and new oil feed/return pipes, the new breather etc. I also did a service at the same time so included oil/filters/pollen filter/air filter etc. I also gave my mechanically minded neighbour a few quid to supervise me, and also to borrow his tools. Total cost was about £2k, but it could be done cheaper if you didn't do the decat and service at the same time.
If your turbo is in trouble but not blown yet I'd recommend getting it off and having a look. Mine was blatently f
ked because there was a LOT of play in the shaft, like 3mm. If yours isn't too far gone then there are places which can recondition it for £250-300. A 2nd hand turbo would be £500-600 and the new one I got was about £1000ish.I think you've done the right thing by getting it booked in at a specialist before forking out any more money. I'd seriously avoid driving it if at all possible. If you HAVE to drive it then for goodness sake keep off boost!
Best of luck, let us know how you get on. Also, if you've any other questions then just ask.
Cheers
PS - Here's a post with some links:
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/2003-e46-3...
PPS - Here's some photos I took whilst doing the job: (page6)
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/2003-e46-3...
Back from an BMW specialist today - H&C in Maidstone- great guys really knowledgable and informed.
Thankfully as some pointed out simply the intake pipe wasnt fitted properly to the turbo
By the look of it, this must of been incorrectly fitted/ knocked off by the local indy who did the inspection 2 - about a year ago! I can't see how else it got removed.
Suffice to say I wont be going there again - and to add insult to injury I just checked the wheels and half the nuts are loose from when they removed them last week.
Anyway all good now so thanks everyone
Thankfully as some pointed out simply the intake pipe wasnt fitted properly to the turbo
By the look of it, this must of been incorrectly fitted/ knocked off by the local indy who did the inspection 2 - about a year ago! I can't see how else it got removed.
Suffice to say I wont be going there again - and to add insult to injury I just checked the wheels and half the nuts are loose from when they removed them last week.
Anyway all good now so thanks everyone
t123vor said:
Back from an BMW specialist today - H&C in Maidstone- great guys really knowledgable and informed.
Thankfully as some pointed out simply the intake pipe wasnt fitted properly to the turbo
By the look of it, this must of been incorrectly fitted/ knocked off by the local indy who did the inspection 2 - about a year ago! I can't see how else it got removed.
Suffice to say I wont be going there again - and to add insult to injury I just checked the wheels and half the nuts are loose from when they removed them last week.
Anyway all good now so thanks everyone
Good result Thankfully as some pointed out simply the intake pipe wasnt fitted properly to the turbo
By the look of it, this must of been incorrectly fitted/ knocked off by the local indy who did the inspection 2 - about a year ago! I can't see how else it got removed.
Suffice to say I wont be going there again - and to add insult to injury I just checked the wheels and half the nuts are loose from when they removed them last week.
Anyway all good now so thanks everyone
Shame the local indy has been shown up like that however and how the diagnosis was so way off too!
Hopefully that is the end of it now and you can use a better garage
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