320d problems

320d

New member
hey guys.i own a 2002 320d.i have ha d my fair share of problems with it since i bought it.replaced 3 turbo's in 2 years and the motor was overhauled.about 6 months ago the turbo went poof and i had a oil lock in the motor,since then i replaced the turbo with a new one,the the injectors died and had the recond.now i have a new problem:it has a funny noise when driving,sounds like a lifter,sometimes its a loud noise and sometimes its quiet.i have been to couple of places and everybody has a diff story or theory.has this happened to anyone?
 

plonkster

New member
Hasn't happened to me (yet). My car (an early 2003 320d) is on its third turbo as well, and has had the injectors and glow plugs replaced too. The only noise I get, which also varies, is a slight ticking which I think is Diesel knock, and this is only under hard acceleration. Could have something to do with the ULS diesel I use. There was a thread somewhere about Cetane booster or something...

Few notes. The turbo was uprated somewhere in 2003. The old one had a cast impeller, the new one is machined (I read that somewhere). Hopefully you had the newer model fitted.

Also, you may want to get rid of the swirl flaps before they get sucked in and you need another engine overhaul...
 

Twinz

Forum - Support
Staff member
no. but sounds like many more problems on their way. once engine overhaul a car is never the same or trustworthy as a daily reliable drive especially if you have a family
 

plonkster

New member
HELLAS said:
2003 320d here with 152k and no turbo or injector changes TOUCH WOOD...

Based on Mike's post the other day on what happens to the oil and the whole polo recall thing... (they actually solved the problem by changing the oil) I think it is safe to say that if you treat the car well and service it with good products, there should be no reason for turbo failures.
 

blaze94

///Member
plonkster said:
HELLAS said:
2003 320d here with 152k and no turbo or injector changes TOUCH WOOD...

Based on Mike's post the other day on what happens to the oil and the whole polo recall thing... (they actually solved the problem by changing the oil) I think it is safe to say that if you treat the car well and service it with good products, there should be no reason for turbo failures.

Do dealerships tell you to idle the car (that has a turbo) before switching the engine off?
 

Hellas

///Member
Can't recall the salesguy telling me to idle the turbo. All I remember was him telling me not to let go of the steering wheel once I turned the cruise control on...
 

SirSparky

New member
correct oil and idling the car is important.if you have driven the car hard the turbo needs about 1-2 mins to idle.if this is not done then the cars turbo will fail prematurely
 

320d

New member
i do let the car idle as it is not my first turbo car,always service it on 15 000km|s and use only bmw parts,as for the oil i normally use castrol slx,i have tried magnatec and some other brands and it made no diference,i always look after my cars.the engine overhaul was done over 2 years ago and i had no problems what so ever.the noise started when i had the oil lock and replaced the turbo.and only from late 2001 to early 2003 320d had the turbo problems.does anyone know a bmw diesel mach?
thanx.
 

Hellas

///Member
Do you get 15000km according to the onboard PC or do you drive 15000km (physically)and then service?
 

plonkster

New member
320d said:
and only from late 2001 to early 2003 320d had the turbo problems.
thanx.

Yes, I heard the 100kw models had fewer turbo issues than the 110kw ones (didn't have swirl flaps either on the manual transmissions), introduced September 2001 if I recall. That persisted until April 2003 when the so called MY2003 (model year 2003) came with a technical update, which included a better turbo. Just me regurgitating interweb research again...

HELLAS said:
Do you get 15000km according to the onboard PC or do you drive 15000km (physically)and then service?

I drive my 320d like a granny, and the service indicator count-down is pretty close to a real 15000km on the odo. If I'm not mistaken, the furthest you can go is 15000km, but if you drive it hard it will come down. It determines this from your fuel consumption.

So effectively it will be the lesser of 15000km or x, where x is a distance computed from fuel consumption, and x is generally less than 15000 if you drive it hard. Something like that. I don't think the 320d has oil the nice oil sensor goodies that actually looks at the oil quality... but if you prove me wrong I'd actually appreciate it :)

On that note, my onboard computer says my average fuel consumption is 5.9l/100km, which is not accurate. Its much closer to 7l/100km at the pump (or between 14 and 15 km/liter). I have a logbook with proof...
 

320d

New member
so anyone know of a good bmw diesel mach in jhb area? i have been to a couple of people and they all have a different opinion.or has anyone changed their lifters themselfs?
 

NoddyBadge

///Member
Eish man, hectic to hear about this.

I've had mine now for a few months and not had any issues (touch wood).

I was told that I'd gotten the newer turbo, which really had no issues.

I was then also lucky to have that turbo replaced and injectors cleaned out before it ran out of Motorplan 3 months ago.

So lets hope my trekker can keep it going.

I learned here about the idling after hard driving - thanks freerider - my 1st turbo car, so wasn't really aware of that.

Only issue I have coming up now is my oil service (need to PM Mike for some oil)

Best of luck to you bru, hope your issues will be resolved :)
 

Johan Kleynhans

New member
Hi, I am a new member and I drive a 2001 320d. E46 pre facelift manual. It now has 185000 km on the clock and I have had only 2 problems: 1) Mass airflow meter went at about 149000 km and 2) Window wining mechanism at about the same time. Average fuel consumption of about 6.5 l/km over the entire life of the car.

I am considering buying a 2nd hand 2004 320d with 104000 km on the clock. Would that be wise?
 

Hellas

///Member
The turbo issues with the later 320diesels have been sorted out, so you should be good to go. I got a 2003 320d with 152k and no problems with the MAF, winders or turbo. Had to change the control arm bushes at around 130k.

That is good kilometers for a 2004 model. Just make sure all the services is up to date and try to find out if the LCABs have been done as well as turbo etc.

Is that the 6speed manual or is it automatic. You should not be paying more than R110k for it I guess to make it a nice bargain :thumbsup:
 

JCY 28

New member
hi all

same issue with my car e46 320 d 2005.70 km out of Bloem. a ticking noise,car came to a halt.Tried starting,sounded like a misfire.called in a tow truck(Auto) charged a grand to take it to guyz in Bloem.First diagnosis was the turbo which was removed and replaced.started same misfire.Guy said the engine was stuffed.Three weeks later and a quote of R20k still no car W.T.F.Are diesels that much to overhaul.apparently the pistons scored the sleeves which have to be replaced
 

Johan

New member
Johan Kleynhans said:
Hi, I am a new member and I drive a 2001 320d. E46 pre facelift manual. It now has 185000 km on the clock and I have had only 2 problems: 1) Mass airflow meter went at about 149000 km and 2) Window wining mechanism at about the same time. Average fuel consumption of about 6.5 l/km over the entire life of the car.

I am considering buying a 2nd hand 2004 320d with 104000 km on the clock. Would that be wise?


Johan Kleynhans said:
Hi, I am a new member and I drive a 2001 320d. E46 pre facelift manual. It now has 185000 km on the clock and I have had only 2 problems: 1) Mass airflow meter went at about 149000 km and 2) Window wining mechanism at about the same time. Average fuel consumption of about 6.5 l/km over the entire life of the car.

I am considering buying a 2nd hand 2004 320d with 104000 km on the clock. Would that be wise?


Hi Johan, have you bought your 2004 model and is you problems sorted? I have 2004 and have a strange problem, would need some help as BMW has there hands in the air, Hahahah
 

juanb123

New member
Hi, Im new to this and newto a forum but bm blood flow through my veins! Drive my 3rd beemer(2006, 523i sport) and only happy miles. My father thou dav a 2001 320d. About a year ago had heating problems, parked it immediately thinkingit was a top gasket blown, we brought it to my15 year mac who i trust with my cars who says its a shot watercooler or oilcoolerproblem, not sure that cost R15k, this have to be fixed before he can see if the engine got damaged from overhaeting. Has anyone heard of this? this is likedeath in the family for us. My father now need to sell it for spares rather than forking out potentially R40k. Any advice?
 
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