330D DAMAGED MOTOR?

[Nikhil]

Chef the problem with this car is that allot of work was done by allot of people. I know that some work was done under a warranty that was taken out on the car by some RMI approved workshop in Randburg. :nonono:

 

[ChefDJ]

RMI approval means nothing.

It's the mechanic itself, under pressure for time because the company has too much, that makes a stuff up and tries to cover up cheaply to get the work out.

Then the workshop hires a "qualified" mechanic, with genuine qualifications from the training centres at Olifantsfontein, and he doesn't know how to remove the gearbox from a citi golf. Under interview, some of them cannot perform a simple calculation on how much oil should be in a drum when given the dimensions...

I know. I worked for a workshop that had many approvals.

 

[Nikhil]

RMI approval means nothing.

It's the mechanic itself, under pressure for time because the company has too much, that makes a stuff up and tries to cover up cheaply to get the work out.

Then the workshop hires a "qualified" mechanic, with genuine qualifications from the training centres at Olifantsfontein, and he doesn't know how to remove the gearbox from a citi golf. Under interview, some of them cannot perform a simple calculation on how much oil should be in a drum when given the dimensions...

I know. I worked for a workshop that had many approvals.

I know that, hence why my vehicles will never be worked on while im not there. :nonono:

 

[Gizmo]

Now now, not all mechanics are bad, just 90% of them...

 

[ChefDJ]

Now now, not all mechanics are bad, just 90% of them...

:=):

 

[RAArmstrong]

Now now, not all mechanics are bad, just 90% of them...

This. There are some very skilled individuals around still... Few and far between :thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

Now now, not all mechanics are bad, just 90% of them...

This. There are some very skilled individuals around still... Few and far between :thumbs:

then you get the average guy who changes his spark plugs and thinks he knows everything :facepalm:

 

[RAArmstrong]

Now now, not all mechanics are bad, just 90% of them...

This. There are some very skilled individuals around still... Few and far between :thumbs:

then you get the average guy who changes his spark plugs and thinks he knows everything :facepalm:

And its this guy's car that you stay away from :fencelook:

 

[Nuts4wheels]

Gizmo, my comments were not directed at you, my frustration mostly lies within the engine. But i'll anyway post a pic of the clutch thrust bearing. The car has only done about 15k since the gearbox conversion. Dont think a thrust bearing should disintegrate in such a short period.

 

[Gizmo]

Doesn't sound right, pop some pics up of the bearing. Never heard of one failing so soon before. Does it have BMS and a date engraved on it?

 

[Nuts4wheels]

Doesn't sound right, pop some pics up of the bearing. Never heard of one failing so soon before. Does it have BMS and a date engraved on it?

---

Chef the problem with this car is that allot of work was done by allot of people. I know that some work was done under a warranty that was taken out on the car by some RMI approved workshop in Randburg. :nonono:

I INTEND UNDOING A LOT OF THAT WORK ON THIS CAR AND GETTING IT ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I WILL POST AS MANY PICS POSSIBLE. YOU GUYS BE THE JUDGE OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE LOOKING LIKE AND HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE. I WILL POST PICS OF THE PARTS AND PROCESSES

 

[Iceman007]

:fencelook:

Turbo No 3.???? Bliksem. Was the turbo installed correctly every time? After abusing the car(driving hard) do you atleast let the turbo cool down? Do you let the car warm up before you abuse the car?

Just wondering

Sorry for your misfortune dude, I stand to be corrected but this is the 3rd turbo this car has destroyed.I suggest that u put the stock file back after u fix her.

---

When you install a turbo make sure there is oil in the turbo feed line for the turbo bearing, before you start the car.
:fencelook:

 

[Nuts4wheels]

Well, the previous three turbo failures were with previous owners, mine now being the fourth. To answer your question, when i stop the engine i first allow it to idle for about 2 minutes before switching off.

After much deliberation and finally opening up the motor and assessing all the various components, my personal view what caused the turbo to fail is a combination of issues, being (in what sequence of events these took place i would not know) IN MY HUMBLE OPINION:

1. Injector failure - overfueling - Pistons worn around the edges on piston 2 and 4. - The fact that the injectors failed was as a result of excessive fuel rail pressure - SOFTWARE
2. Worn sleeves (Ridges) - Overfuelling, excessive force on pistons, worn small ends - SOFTWARE AND WEAR AND TEAR
3. Chafing marks on Big Ends - I'm suspecting either Brute force from aggressive software or either the oil used was incorrect or the service intervals were not being maintained. On the subject of the correct oil - Even though everyone prescribes using Edge 5W40, i'm of the opinion that the viscosity is too low for South African Conditions.

Based on the above info, my assumption is:

Seeing that three turbos have failed in the past, leads me to believe that the cause of the problem starts with the injectors being faulty and added to that the software was too aggresive. The added turbo boost pressure, the added fuel rail pressure on the injectors caused overfueling and at the same time oil was being burned at certain revs and torque resulting from the worn sleeves/rings, leaving a hint of blue smoke every now and then. The bearings and Pistons were also worn and were adding to the problem. Along with the fact that aftermarket parts were used on the previous turbo (and presuming the previous turbo's as well?), and obviously the debris of the pistons had to go through the turbo, it really leaves no doubt why the turbo only lasted about 12-15 thousand km. Everytime the turbo went, it was just replaced or refitted with aftermarket parts, but the cause of the problem was not being removed.

I am so glad that i had decided to open the motor to see what was going on. I'm not happy spending the money fixing it, but i'm too far gone now to turn back, and now i can actually reolve the cause of the problem and add to another 200k+ km life to the motor.

Thus got to sort out the sleeves, bearings, pistons, head, fuel, water, oil lines and intercooler need to be cleaned and ultimately the new new OEM turbo to be fitted. The injectors have already been repaired.

 

[ChefDJ]

Is the software still on this car?

 

[Nuts4wheels]

no Tiaan downgraded it for me when i first started having hassles with the car. However, the writing was then already on the wall.

I must also add that i do think a software upgrade is doable within reason, But hell the software i had on the car was delivering 622NM just 15k km before the motor went. That i think is excessive force on the motor and is due to fail

 

[S1NGH 911]

That's odd M57 normally can handle

 

[Nuts4wheels]

i've read up on previous owners posts on this car. If you pull it through your arse, nothing can last!!

 

[Gizmo]

From the pics I see nothing wrong with the bearing, perhaps you are not familiar with the different types of bearings used on bmws.

 

[Gizmo]

The 6spd thrust bearing for E46 is a spherical type thrust bearing, its supposed to be like that. Is the bearing still smooth to turn?

 

[Gizmo]

You guys need to realise that you are shortening the lifespan of a turbo car by bringing it up to the Reef as the turbo experiences more stresses in the higher altitude as it spins faster and gets hotter due to the thinner air. Now throw our poor diesel fuel into the mix plus an aggressive tune that spins the turbo even faster/hotter and its no surprise this car is on its 3rd turbo already...
Most turbo failures happen here at the reef, not at the coast.
My advise is leave the car stock if you want longevity, the more performance you extract out of it the quicker its going to break, pure and simple.