Think my turbo is failing

paradigm

paradigm

paradigm

Caporegime
Joined
26 Aug 2003
Posts
37,508
Location
Leafy Cheshire
So, at just creeping up to 160,000 miles I think the turbo is imminently failing on the 330d.

Between around 1900RPM and 2600RPM (roughly) when depressing the throttle quite heavy, in 3rd, 4th and 5th, I'm getting a pulsating whistling from (what I assume to be) the turbo. It's kind of like normal turbo whistle, but it pulsates rather than being a constant noise.

Completely disappears above 2750-3000RPM and doesn't happen if I'm not booting it.

Any ideas beyond "knackered tubro"?
 
I've had similar in the past (noise wise), its a blade balance issue so Votex tell me, but i'm not so sure myself, i've got a feeling its an actuator / slight boost leak issue around the turbo vac lines / resirc valve creep.

Take the turbo inlet hose off and have a feel for turbo shaft play and bearing wear, if you can get a mirror in and have a look at the blades for damage.
 
I had thought about a boost leak, but I couldn't see anything when I had a look, typically BMW engine bay though, and you can't quite get to anything, either from beneath or above.

Reconditioned turbo's aren't "too" bad cost wise by the looks of it anyway, and I need the engine lifted to replace an engine mount anyway.

Cars :(
 
I suppose its time for a trip to an indi you trust then.
 
160k miles for a turbo is good given BMW standards, mine was replaced at 37k on the 530d (although it had had a large drink of oil) :)
 
Does sound like it could having problems holding boost which could be actuator getting weak or a vacuum line with a small unnoticeable split or something.

Turbo's normally start smoking heavily when they are on the way out caused by the seals going but deffo worth checking it all over like people have said, check play in the shaft and to see if any of the blades have been chipped by debris etc.

Either way if its done 160k on same turbo that daaaam good going :D
 
Well there is certainly no smoke (well no more than usual, it is a derv afterall). Infact, if anything there is less smoke than their used to be.

I'll give it another going over for leaks, having said that, recently it has been more audible when it "dumps" (I know it has no BOV, but recently it has started to woosh on lift-off).
 
paradigm said:
I had thought about a boost leak, but I couldn't see anything when I had a look, typically BMW engine bay though, and you can't quite get to anything, either from beneath or above.

Reconditioned turbo's aren't "too" bad cost wise by the looks of it anyway, and I need the engine lifted to replace an engine mount anyway.

Cars :(
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I'm no mechanic but that sounds like it's going to be awefully painful on the wallet mate :(

If you aren't aware of these sites (go to 'garage guide' link for this one) , they are a pretty good starting point for finding good indies :)
 
paradigm said:
Well there is certainly no smoke (well no more than usual, it is a derv afterall). Infact, if anything there is less smoke than their used to be.

I'll give it another going over for leaks, having said that, recently it has been more audible when it "dumps" (I know it has no BOV, but recently it has started to woosh on lift-off).
Click to expand...

Hmmm bit of a strange one, almost sounds like boost surging, again like the actuator is having problems regulating the boost and the ECU is trying to compensate a bit by varying the amount of pressure.

It will be the re-circ valve you will hear dumping air back into inlet :)

Oooooh actually just thought, not being very familiar with the BMW Turbo Diesels, is it a variable vain turbo on these? if so then my money is on the veins breaking down ;) I can give you more detail to what I mean if it is a variable vein turbo!
 
The Turbo on our Diesel merc does the woosh sound. Kicks in a 2KRPM.

The problem you describe does sound like a vacuum line split. Best taking it to an Indy.
 
Oxide™ said:
I'm no mechanic but that sounds like it's going to be awefully painful on the wallet mate :(
Click to expand...

Shouldn't be - an engine mount takes about 15 mins to change, you just jack the engine up a little on the sump from underneath. A mount is about £30 from BMW for the e46 I think.

Turbo can be got at from underneath the car.
 
Well today the noise came back with a vengeance, after being utterly silent (bar normal turbo whine) for a month or so after tweaking up a jubilee clip on the turbo-intercooler hose.

Here is a short (and quiet, sorry iPhones really do suck) audio clip (.m4a, sorry, again iPhail) of the noise in question. This is a short hard-acceleration burst in 4th (although the noise is present in 3rd, 4th and 5th) from around 1500 RPM (where no whistling happens) up to around 3400 RPM. The final burst of whistle is when I let off the throttle:

Still unsure what it is.
 
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