Possible turbo issue? Engine much louder under acceleration & less go at speed

[Upex]

Well, had her in the garage today, and they diagnosed the power loss as either a shaped seal between turbo and air pipework (or something) or that turbo on its way out.

Quoted £175 to replace the seal, or £989 to replace seal and turbo with a unit tha carries 2 year warranty.

Does this sound about right, in terms of cause and cost to replace?

Not a clue what seal they on about but, is it possible to replace seal and turbo as DIY, or does it need engine out and such stuff?

Gutted, as also paid for 2 new rear tyres today and need two fronts fairly soon as wearing on inside edge (worn suspensionion bits?)

Just to add, burning no oil and no smoke out exhaust, even when flooring it.

Thanks

[X5Sport]

If you have a look at Realoem - copy of the BMW parts database - with the last 7 characters of your VIN then you should be able to find the seal on one of the slides.

I don't think either will be engine out but you may need to move things out of the way or remove them in order to get at the right spaces.

The figures sound about right and the seal is the most likely.  A turbo either works or doesn't, but it could be a faulty vacuum control system which may force a turbo to be changed.

[Upex]

Given I still get some boost, if the seal is duff, would that be the vacuume control you mention x5sport?

I've very handy, but don't know which part is which or what each does etc.

Thanks

[X5Sport]

There are vacuum controls on the turbo itself which control the boost gates.  If they don't come off then it means a complete new unit.

If you are good with spanners etc then I don't see any problems.  There are probably videos on line to help.  The lack of a repair manual is the only 'challenge' you might need to overcome?

[Upex]

Thanks x5sport. Any recommendations on which repair manual,meant say I've come across a haynes tye or would already have one, as with pics and instructions I'm a happy chap doing most things lol

[Horizon]

[quote="Upex"]
Given I still get some boost, if the seal is duff, would that be the vacuume control you mention x5sport?

I've very handy, but don't know which part is which or what each does etc.

Thanks
[/quote]

Maybe they are referring to seals #2+3 - 7+8
I've had that pipe come loose on a truck once and it whistled like mad and dropped off the boost.
Please note this diagram is a random 2006. 2.0 d X3 from real OEM, maybe not same year, production month as yours. Only a reference.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Upex"]
Morning all,

Just done our first big journey in the wife's 3.0d and I'm impressed, glad we ventured into this bmw world. However, after about 500-600 miles, the engine suddenly got quiet a bit louder when accelerating and when holding higher speeds. Not sure, but appears to have less go when at speeds to, ie when trying to floor it from 70 to overtake, it appeared to lack the rush it used to. Acceleration off the line appears unaffected though, still shot off lights like a rocket versus what I expected from the car, even when fully ladder and likely 4ton lol.

Can't say that I've noticed any smoke out the back, and I checked the oil level of course, was fine, and it made the other 1100 miles and didn't use much oil (about 1/8th or 6th of litre across whole trip maybe, need to check again today).

Any ideas on what I need to check please folks, or possible causes, as the extra noise was not fun for such a long time and kind of spoiled the nice comfy journey otherwise.

I'm not overly familiar with these motors yet, so any additional support would be great, ie location of the things to check.

Cheers all
[/quote]

Did you buy from a garage? As it's only covered 500 miles or so you could take it back?

Smee

[Upex]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
[quote="Upex"]
Morning all,

Just done our first big journey in the wife's 3.0d and I'm impressed, glad we ventured into this bmw world. However, after about 500-600 miles, the engine suddenly got quiet a bit louder when accelerating and when holding higher speeds. Not sure, but appears to have less go when at speeds to, ie when trying to floor it from 70 to overtake, it appeared to lack the rush it used to. Acceleration off the line appears unaffected though, still shot off lights like a rocket versus what I expected from the car, even when fully ladder and likely 4ton lol.

Can't say that I've noticed any smoke out the back, and I checked the oil level of course, was fine, and it made the other 1100 miles and didn't use much oil (about 1/8th or 6th of litre across whole trip maybe, need to check again today).

Any ideas on what I need to check please folks, or possible causes, as the extra noise was not fun for such a long time and kind of spoiled the nice comfy journey otherwise.

I'm not overly familiar with these motors yet, so any additional support would be great, ie location of the things to check.

Cheers all
[/quote]

Did you buy from a garage? As it's only covered 500 miles or so you could take it back?

Smee
[/quote]

No, bought privately and also covered about 3k miles now, as issue occurred on way to south France, so had the rest of that leg, all way home and use since lol.

[Upex]

[quote="Horizon"]


Maybe they are referring to seals #2+3 - 7+8
I've had that pipe come loose on a truck once and it whistled like mad and dropped off the boost.
Please note this diagram is a random 2006. 2.0 d X3 from real OEM, maybe not same year, production month as yours. Only a reference.

[henrym3]

Have to ask, why did you only look at the pipe from turbo to intercooler, why not pipe from intercooler to inlet manifold, it's as likely to be duff as the other ones.

[Upex]

[quote="henrym3"]
Have to ask, why did you only look at the pipe from turbo to intercooler, why not pipe from intercooler to inlet manifold, it's as likely to be duff as the other ones.
[/quote]

Because garage said it's either the seal between turbo and cooler pipe, or the turbo. They never mentioned cooler to egr, so didn't bother with that side, will try this first, but your right, it's just as possible as the turbo side I guess.

[X5Sport]

[quote="Upex"]
I'm not impressed with the £175 quote to replace it! Makes me wonder if the £989 is reasonable for a turbo?
[/quote]

My X6 large turbo is £1990 just for the part.  And that's not from BMW either.

[Upex]

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="Upex"]
I'm not impressed with the £175 quote to replace it! Makes me wonder if the £989 is reasonable for a turbo?
[/quote]

My X6 large turbo is £1990 just for the part.  And that's not from BMW either.
[/quote]

That's half the price of this entire x5 lol. But obviously the 6 much newer and dearer etc, so guess they need to grab it while they can

[X5Sport]

Probably, and it has two hairdryers 

[Upex]

So, just replaced 2, 3, 7 and 8 and no joy, despite the seals being pretty battered, worn and 7 being twisted. Arse! Really hopped that'd get it.

So, any other suggestions or is it time to cough up a grand for a new turbo....