Turbo on its way out? 2010 E90 320d

VernyMac

Active member
Hey Gents

Hope all is well,

So I had my car @ Kinetic Garage for the oil service and was told that my turbo sounds like its on the way out,

Now Im not an expert and never had turbo failure in any of my cars, but from what I have seen and heard from friends cars is the turbo would start to whine alot and smoke every now and then or not boost once cooked out proper

So im just curious to know what symptoms I would have on a 320D :dunnoanymore:

and how would I diagnose the turbo.....

Thanks Gents :praise: all responses are appreciated
 

Ash777

Active member
The turbo can fail in different ways.
Mine sounded and felt just fine, and then it suddenly exploded like a grenade, sending shards right into my intercooler.
This will happen when its least convenient, like when its hailing and your on the highway with family or late for the airport.
The only way to deal with this is to have good karma.
You can have the turbo refurbished for R4.5k, and do the work yourself.
In fact not doing the work yourself in your garage is the real failure with turbo failures.
 

S1NGH 911

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
Sounds like it's on the way out ? Not very conclusive

Is the car down on power, has the turbo been physically examined?

Is the car storing low boost pressure codes?
 

VernyMac

Active member
@ash777

Honest the car went for oil service so im not to sure how they inspected the turbo but the guy there said he worked for super tech and the car doesnt sound right the turbo "SOUNDS" like its on its way out....

When it comes to doing the DIY route I can be a good grease monkey for the job no issues... I will strip and fit because thats the only way you will learn.

@s1ngh 911

I dont see any issues with the turbo spools just fine, makes power on the top end and pulls like a train.... this weekend I drove to wildcoast and was following a Viano and x5 M on the way... trust me when I had to close the gaps when over taking with them I used my brakes quiet abit cause it pulls hard on the top end lol from 130km onwards will clean the clock quickly....

This is something I didnt want to do so soon with the car but guess I will have to put it on jack stands and start digging lol :roflol: time to pull the cooler out and clean it, check for oil in boost pipes, and maybe get the harmonic damper pulley done :eek:mgwaiting:
 

///M Individual

Well-known member
Hi bud,

I would suggest a second and third opinion before doing anything further.

Maybe even check with BMW what they would charge to check it and advise.

Really hope they mistaken and its all good!
:thumbs:
 

AshG108

///Member
Get diagnostics run by someone you really can trust, another objective view with facts backing it.
Whats your mileage again?

I have yet to learn of people losing turboes on the LCi 320d...hose things were pretty solid even when tuned as well.

And if the car is still running at optimum and not in limp mode or soft limping at certain boost levels...I would rate it as close to nothing to worry about. Check your bost seals, clean the intercooler etc, it is nothing wrong with doing those cause you would have done them at some time in the future as part of maintenance anyway.

But I am sceptical when okes sya "your turbo is on its way out" with no facts at all to back up the claims.

I had an e90 320dLCi...tuned VERY harsh with no hardware...was a mental thing but one thing is...that car never broke or gave any hassles especially around the hardware...Double check it and get another opinion.
 

VernyMac

Active member
///M Individual said:
Hi bud,

I would suggest a second and third opinion before doing anything further.

Maybe even check with BMW what they would charge to check it and advise.

Really hope they mistaken and its all good!
:thumbs:


I think so to.... will take the car to another mech and get him to check it out


AshG108 said:
Get diagnostics run by someone you really can trust, another objective view with facts backing it.
Whats your mileage again?

I have yet to learn of people losing turboes on the LCi 320d...hose things were pretty solid even when tuned as well.

And if the car is still running at optimum and not in limp mode or soft limping at certain boost levels...I would rate it as close to nothing to worry about. Check your bost seals, clean the intercooler etc, it is nothing wrong with doing those cause you would have done them at some time in the future as part of maintenance anyway.

But I am sceptical when okes sya "your turbo is on its way out" with no facts at all to back up the claims.

I had an e90 320dLCi...tuned VERY harsh with no hardware...was a mental thing but one thing is...that car never broke or gave any hassles especially around the hardware...Double check it and get another opinion.


Thanks man... the mileage is abit high but nothing that will kill the turbo or motor its currently on 194xxxkm and just had its first oil service as I plan on doing the rest of the maintenance that wasnt done by the previous owners....

and I dont want to power the car up and have issues.... because the cost of turbo replacement is out of budget now
 

FerdiBotha

Well-known member
At 194k km you will definitely start getting closer to the end of the turbo's life.

Some fail way later and others fail earlier, though.

Best is to let a decent mech check it out and give you the all clear, as others have mentioned.
 

VernyMac

Active member
FerdiBotha said:
At 194k km you will definitely start getting closer to the end of the turbo's life.

Some fail way later and others fail earlier, though.

Best is to let a decent mech check it out and give you the all clear, as others have mentioned.

will do so, thanks for all the info guys....
 

S1NGH 911

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
Don't listen to that guy who used to work for bmw super tech.

If you want a proper diagnosis in Durban take your car to Old Dutch Racing, they are old in the game and are trustworthy
 

sash

///Member
My turbo was whining for a good 80000kms, around 65000km was with software, but it is difficult to know when it can give in.

If you really want peace of mind, get it looked at by a reputable turbo builder, not someone that just wants to make a quick buck.

If there is significant play in the shaft and/or there is wear on the blades etc, it would be better to overhaul sooner rather than later.
 

VernyMac

Active member
S1NGH 911 said:
Don't listen to that guy who used to work for bmw super tech.

If you want a proper diagnosis in Durban take your car to Old Dutch Racing, they are old in the game and are trustworthy

sash said:
My turbo was whining for a good 80000kms, around 65000km was with software, but it is difficult to know when it can give in.

If you really want peace of mind, get it looked at by a reputable turbo builder, not someone that just wants to make a quick buck.

If there is significant play in the shaft and/or there is wear on the blades etc, it would be better to overhaul sooner rather than later.

Thanks guys really appreciate the responses and advice....

Will get it checked out
 
Top