E87 120D Loss of power. Turbo Problem?

[th3l33k]

Hello

I am sad to admit I only came across this forum when searching for problems about my 120D's turbo. Nonetheless I happy to have found it

I bought a second hand 120D roughly 3 months ago with 93k KM on the clock. Sadly, today on the way home from work I was waiting at a red light. It turned green and as the traffic progressed I was accelerating. During this acceleration I felt a sudden jerk en loud "wiiiiiiiiiiiiing" sound coming from the bonnet. Now admittedly I am a retard when it comes to engine mechanics so please hear me out.

I have mates who's turbo's have popped in the last year, both describing loud popping noises and white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I did not have this. However, I have NO power now when I accelerate.

I drove like grandma home for the rest of the trip and probably have to take it to get checked out now It's is just just out of motorplan too.

Any suggestions as to if it really is the Turbo that's bust or something else?

Halp

Thanks.

 

[P1000]

Sounds like a boost pipe popped off. Well either that or the manifold or intercooler came apart, but a pipe is more likely. Should be easy to find and replace it.

 

[th3l33k]

Sounds like a boost pipe popped off. Well either that or the manifold or intercooler came apart, but a pipe is more likely. Should be easy to find and replace it.

I really hope is something as simple as that. :/ Is there anything specifically I could go and have a look at under the hood, bearing in mind I would probably just break anything that requires too much inspection haha.

Also, any non BMW dealer in the Centurion area that any one would recommend?

Thanks!!

 

[Twinz]

P1000
That would be my guess as well. Two 120d's on this forum have reported cracked chargepipes at 100+ Ks

 

[th3l33k]

P1000
That would be my guess as well. Two 120d's on this forum have reported cracked chargepipes at 100+ Ks

Alright. Well lets see what they say tomorrow! :/

 

[Hellas]

The smoke is the 'dead' giveaway for the blown turbo (pun intended), though I heard of other car makes where the turbo did not go with a bang and had to be replaced, but I'm still sceptical whether the dealers took those people for a ride.

Back to the issue at hand, as Twinz and P1k mentioned, those might be your problems. Look at the intake fron filter to manifold as well as the vacuum systems. Good luck and post a pic of your ride.

 

[th3l33k]

Ill update as soon as I have a more clear answer answer today guys. And then a pic will follow.

---

The smoke is the 'dead' giveaway for the blown turbo (pun intended), though I heard of other car makes where the turbo did not go with a bang and had to be replaced, but I'm still sceptical whether the dealers took those people for a ride.

Out of curiosity, what actually causes the smoke? o_0

 

[th3l33k]

Ok, so I wen't to SN Auto in Centurion this morning and dealt with Sakkie. He was pretty helpful and was able to squeeze me in for a quick diagnostics via that machine thingy ( whatever it is called )

He sais the turbo and or boost pipes etc are not blown. According to the diagnostics it is purely a software fault?? Apparently this is something that "just happens"? He mentioned something about "Control Unit Internal 4". It looked like it was under the "Diesel Mechanics" section of his device, though I might be wrong.
This can apparently be fixed via another machine that he has to reprogram the software again. Sadly this machine of his is faulty and he will only get a replacement next week.

I have no problem waiting the week as he seems to really know whats cooking, but I am curious to know what is your guys opinion on this? How does this "just happen"? o_0

 

[Hellas]

Good thing is that the turbo etc is safe. Since everything is controlled via the car's PC, this might happen, but it is not common. Unless someone fiddled with the software before.

As to the smoke question: The turbo's bearing is lubricated with the same oil that lubes the engine. There is a little feed and return lines which connects the turbo and the engine block.

When the turbo 'fails' or 'blow', it usually means that the turbo's bearing has collapsed/broken. The oil that lubricates the bearing now runs past the bearing into your exhaust, since it is your exhaust gasses that spins the turbo.

The oil flowing into the hot exhaust creates this massive white smoke cloud. Something to behold...

And here is the dangerous part. Since it's the engine's oil that is now running out of you exhaust, you stand a chance lose all you engine oil through the exhaust and seize up your engine if you do not stop within reasonable time.

But under normal circumstances you would not be in any trouble if you simply switch off and coast to a halt when you see that white cloud of smoke.

 

[th3l33k]

Good thing is that the turbo etc is safe. Since everything is controlled via the car's PC, this might happen, but it is not common. Unless someone fiddled with the software before.

Im rather relieved yeah. Just sad to have to wait haha.

As to the smoke question: The turbo's bearing is lubricated with the same oil that lubes the engine. There is a little feed and return lines which connects the turbo and the engine block.

When the turbo 'fails' or 'blow', it usually means that the turbo's bearing has collapsed/broken. The oil that lubricates the bearing now runs past the bearing into your exhaust, since it is your exhaust gasses that spins the turbo.

The oil flowing into the hot exhaust creates this massive white smoke cloud. Something to behold...

And here is the dangerous part. Since it's the engine's oil that is now running out of you exhaust, you stand a chance lose all you engine oil through the exhaust and seize up your engine if you do not stop within reasonable time.

But under normal circumstances you would not be in any trouble if you simply switch off and coast to a halt when you see that white cloud of smoke.

Well to make things worse, after the "event" yesterday, I saw no smoke and crawled back home at 10km p/h. So if it was the Turbo, I would have been even more screwed I guess.

Oh and as asked, I took a pic of her



Thanks for all the comments!

 

[Spy007]

Quick question or observation.

Been there done that turbo issues.

If you say now power is the revs still climbing??????

After my turbo replaced my clutch went. Could drive but as soon as Boost the revs climb and no power???

Welcome Good luck and Please keep us up to date.

 

[th3l33k]

Quick question or observation.

Been there done that turbo issues.

If you say now power is the revs still climbing??????

After my turbo replaced my clutch went. Could drive but as soon as Boost the revs climb and no power???

The revs are climbing yes. But no more than 2k rpm when driving. I have however not tried to see if it can get past 2k rpm yet when out of gear. I can't say that I notice anything different when shifting gears, but I have never had a clutch problem before to know really.

Welcome Good luck and Please keep us up to date.

Thanks will do!

 

[P1000]

This does not sound like a clutch problem, and I'm sure S&N's diagnosis is good, they would definitely have known if it was a clutch. Sounds like your car has gone into limip mode.

 

[th3l33k]

This does not sound like a clutch problem, and I'm sure S&N's diagnosis is good, they would definitely have known if it was a clutch. Sounds like your car has gone into limip mode.

The only thing I can't grasp yet is how the heck it "just happens". Is this random going into "limp mode" a sign of something else maybe on its way out? o_0

 

[th3l33k]

Right... to tip this off. My 3rd party extended warranty ( that every one is scared off I know ) will only assist if the workshop is RMI approved, which S&N is not.

Any good/bad news about http://www.autotech-sa.co.za/ ? Im afraid of voiding the warranty I have if any non RMI work is done on my ride.

 

[th3l33k]

An update.

The car is at Autotech SA at the moment. They are getting exactly the same fault codes as S N Auto got, except they can't clear it. They have spent most of the morning looking for the problem, and eventually came down to the turbo's actuator being to blame.

He also mentioned it could be the "pressure pipes" connected to this. Does that sound right?

Lastly, apparently the car has a electric turbo and not a mechanical one. Could someone explain what the difference is?

 

[netercol]

Lastly, apparently the car has a electric turbo and not a mechanical one. Could someone explain what the difference is?

the actuator controlling the vtn vanes is electronic controlled, in the older models it is vacuum controlled..

 

[th3l33k]

This is dam frustrating now. Almost 2 days later and Autotech still can't tell me what is wrong. They say they only realized later that there are two actuators and can't tell which one it might be. They are also suggesting that I just take it to the stealer to have it checked out.

I am going to go fetch the car after work and look for another place that can possibly help me.

 

[The K-Man]

they should just use the oldest tricks in the book to find out which one it is. If it was vacuum pipes, you'd connect a gauge to both.

 

[th3l33k]

they should just use the oldest tricks in the book to find out which one it is. If it was vacuum pipes, you'd connect a gauge to both.

Well I am pretty disappointed in the way this was handled. Especially the fact that I have to call constantly to find out what is cooking.

Called up turboworks also here in Centurion. I'll just take it there and see what they have to say. ;(