Turbo diesel gremlin.

[Trikeman]

:flyfun: Hi I recently became the proud owner of a 2003 E 46 330 D. Swopped my Sorento V8 for it. Help please.
My first "long" trip was from Vryheid to Middelburg, 300 km. About the last 10 km on gravel roads The car performed like a monster up to the gravel road. On our return trip the car lost almost all power. I"ll stop, switch it of and start it after 5 minutes and the car will pull like monster again for about 3 minutes. Same thing again, switch off, start again and all is fine for about 3 minutes.
Where do I start to look for the problem please. I do not know a lot about diesels but would enjoy learning about them. While driving it felt that the turbo want to boost and then dies, as if it does not have enough fuel.
Its my first diesel car so I really need some lessons please. I bought a new diesel and air filter after some lessons learnt with previous petrol BMW's. :joy: What a difference in fuel consumption from the V8. X-Cellent swop.

 

[Nikhil]

lets get some history on the car? whats been changed and what hasnt? when was the last service?:=): also I suggest getting the codes read it will give you more insight as to what the issues are

 

[Trikeman]

lets get some history on the car? whats been changed and what hasnt? when was the last service?:=): also I suggest getting the codes read it will give you more insight as to what the issues are

Hi Big problem, no history. Previous owner inherited the car and has no info. I'll have codes read as soon as i find someone around with the right equipment. Thanx a million in the meantime. Driving around town now it boosts like a rocket. Confusing me a lot. :bangdesk:

 

[Nikhil]

Ah shit I see you in Middelburg which is far from most of the experts :sorry: maybe do a nice major service and cross those items off your list.

7liters oil
Air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter
Oil breather filter
Throw in a bottle of injector cleaner for the next 3 tanks just to make sure your fuel system has no kak in it
Remove all your boost pipes and intercooler and give them a nice clean.
Clean the Maf and sensors with some electrical cleaner.
Do the Egr delete
You might as well get a decat done since it will help improve the life of your turbo.

All of the above will make an improvement and hopefully you will come across the problem or make the car run better.
:rollsmile:

 

[Hellas]

+1 on the items that Nikhil said. That is all the maintenance and basic mods that you need for an older diesel BMW.

@Nik does the 330d still have swirlflaps?

 

[Nikhil]

+1 on the items that Nikhil said. That is all the maintenance and basic mods that you need for an older diesel BMW.

@Nik does the 330d still have swirlflaps?

yep all the Diesel E46s have flaps unfortunately :thumbdo: I have the delete kit I just haven't gotten around to doing mine yet :fishwack:

 

[Hellas]

Trikeman, then a nice Saturday morning DIY would be to also remove the swirl flaps. Google it, there are a coule dozen DIY's on the net.

You do get blanking kits, but I've just removed the blades from the spindles and popped the empty spindles back in.

 

[Nikhil]

yep that should also be done since its a time bomb with them :bangdesk:

 

[rickyc]

I agree with nikhil fully.

U dont mention if it smokes @ all and when it loses power does there come any warning lights on the dash

 

[Solo Man]

Want to correct you on the statement that all E46 diesels have swirlies. The manual shift 330d's up to about 2003 did not have them, only the auto's did. Then, when the uprated motor came about, they got swirl flaps. Best is to take off the plastic engine cover and try and feel if you have the shaft that works the swirl flaps. If it is an auto, it should have them.

 

[Trikeman]

Thank you all for all the advice. I have bought all the "service" goodies and I"ll tackle it the weekend and report back on what I find and if there are any improvement.:bravo:

 

[Trikeman]

Hi all BMWfanatics
No good news . I have changed the oil, oil filter, air filter fuel filter and cleaned as suggested, but no improvement. The turbo boosted for about 1 km and then nothing. I did not strip for the swirly's as one comment suggested that these models do not have them.
As I mentioned, I am a rookie on diesels.
Where do I find the oil breather filter. I would like to check that as well.

I have moved to Vryheid and the one chap with a machine here could not even read any faults on my car. Don't think he can operate the machine/computer. So I am still looking for someone else with the right stuff to check for faults. No faults or lights on the dash at the moment.

Any advice are more than welcome. :ty:

 

[Trikeman]

I agree with nikhil fully.

U dont mention if it smokes @ all and when it loses power does there come any warning lights on the dash

No smoke and no lights come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Trikeman]

:bravo: At last. I purchases a new PRESSURE CONVERTER and new vacuum pipes for it and wah-lah all problems solved. The car pulls like train and I would like to thank all on the forum for their help again . Thanx a million.:joy::joy::joy:

I agree with nikhil fully.

U dont mention if it smokes @ all and when it loses power does there come any warning lights on the dash

No smoke and no lights come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nikhil]

that's great news now create a new thread, post some pics of your ride and Join the next meet and greet :rollsmile:

 

[Solo Man]

How much was the pressure converter? Did you buy from the agents?

 

[DieselFan]

R1500 if I'm thinking of the same part. You have one in your egr too.

 

[Hellas]

Sounds right. I paid R800 a couple of years ago.