Noisy Turbo on 120d

[applehero]

Hey Guys

Noticed my turbo whine getting louder over the past couple of weeks. When I took the 120d in for a microfilter replacement they also noted that the turbo was making more noise than it should.

What do you guys suggest i should do?

Does this denote the beginning of turbo failure?
Is it possible that something has come loose (perhaps a fitting or a sensor)?

Would appreciate your input...

 

[Hellas]

Sadly, yes. Change out the breather now an do an engine flush and oil service. Dirty oil clogging the breather and turbo oil supply lines usually cause the turbo failure.

 

[P1000]

If it is becoming noisy, change the breather, air filter and diesel filter. If still noisy, impellers are touching the housing on the turbo - rebuild not recommended, only replacement.

 

[damon1]

If its on Motor plan- dont wait for the failure to occur - get them to sort out ASAP- "their salary from ur money"

 

[applehero]

Thanks for the input guys.

@Hellas. I'm sure the oil has been changed recently - less than 5000 Kms ago.

@P1000. Air filter has been changed same time as oil.

Unfortunately it's just out of motorplan.

Where exactly is the breather? tried to look on RealOem couldn't find it...

 

[P1000]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UG52&mospid=48925&btnr=11_3668&hg=11&fg=15
part 11.
You could also try to just get part 15.

Oh, i see it is the newer type, which should not give any problems.

Are you sure about the air filter? It does not always get changed with every service...

 

[Twinz]

Get the dealer or a BMW tech to locate the problem exactly...whining is normally associated with the turbo but it could also be the flywheel:cursin:

 

[applehero]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UG52&mospid=48925&btnr=11_3668&hg=11&fg=15
part 11.
You could also try to just get part 15.

Oh, i see it is the newer type, which should not give any problems.

Are you sure about the air filter? It does not always get changed with every service...

Oh thanks, see it now... Thanks. I am really sure they did - the lady still explained they needed to replace something in addition to the air filter.

Get the dealer or a BMW tech to locate the problem exactly...whining is normally associated with the turbo but it could also be the flywheel:cursin:

I think that's the easier way. Why would the fly wheel make that noise?

---

So I inspected the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve was not caked with black muck at all. I did note though, that there was a small amount of oil present. This is slightly confusing, should there be oil there?

 

[Twinz]

Ag i meant "pulley"...sorry for giving you a fright........i replaced the pulley on my 120diesel a few months ago...pulley was loose and got chipped & cut into belt as well. Don't ask me where the pulley is in relation to the flywheel - i draw a blank....Here are some pics:

 

[Hellas]

That is the vibration dampner pulley on the crank. (It sits on the front of the engine, the flywheel is at the back ) The powersteering and aircon run from this pulley. Also a common item to break on the E46's.

 

[Twinz]

Dankie Hellas...:thumbsup:

 

[applehero]

@Twinz: I was a little worried there! lol. The belts and pulleys were changed not too long ago - this was because there was a loud squeaking early in the morning... It could still be the pulley though...

@Hellas: Thanks for the info.

 

[netercol]

i would put bets on it being the pulley.. as hellas said its a very common fault on the diesels for some unknown reason, and i have personally seen a few fail.. :dunno:

 

[applehero]

Interesting... How would the pulley make that sound? :thinking:

 

[netercol]

from what ive seen the rubber part lets go, sometimes causing the pulley to wobble and touch on the back housing, and in extreme cases even alowing the inside part that bolts onto the crank to rotate independant from the outside!

hopefully its not that though.. this part is crazy expensive from the dealers, e46 one was 5k, dont even want to think what the newer ones cost

 

[applehero]

Ah okay... So if it's the pulley it will actually be more of a scraping sound?

I hope it aint that either!

 

[Hellas]

Secondhand ones you pick up for R1k to R2k at scrapyards.


The rubber part in Twinz's pics looks very good. I just wonder whether those chips can really cause all the trouble. I'm not doubting you here Charles, I am just under the impression that those 'teeth' are used to fasten/turn the pulley into position as it is a bolt down the center of the pulley that actually holds it in place. The teeth stick out the front and are not connected to anything.

 

[Twinz]

interesting...and i like the diagramme.:thumbsup:

But i would not have the faintest idea. BMW replaced it and gave me the broken pulley and the car ran like new again.:thumbsup: The car was very noisy and squeally/squeaky before the fix.

 

[Hellas]

Was it motorplan, Charles?

 

[applehero]

@Hellas: Is it advisable to go the scrapyard route? I assume I would need tensioning tools and the like to replace?

@Twinz: Was it making a squeaking noise all the time or only at higher revs?