Just joined the failed turbo club!

JHMEG

JimmyCrackCorn! wrote: »

Turbo bearings are very sensitive to oil and 20k is just far too long.

Over on the Audi long life thread they talk about 30k for Audi diesels, and similar for BMWs

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=60161661&postcount=26

netwhizkid

Robbo wrote: »

True that. 20k between oil changes on a modern turbo diesel is just asking for it.

Ah bloody hell lads! 20K miles for an oil change? I've a Petrol e36 316 and I change the oil between every 5 to 7k miles. The small bit you save in not servicing will cost you down the road with problems like this.

starsky02

OK, so phase 2 is to go back to the garage which serviced the car the last time and raise the issue of their failure to replace the oil breather filter.

This clogged solid and both the local bmw dealership and the garage which currently has the car reckon this had a major part to play in the turbo failre.

starsky02

Slightly baffled at this stage.

The garage which carried out the 77k service says they cannot get a clear answer from the BMW dealership they work with about my issue.

I bought the car with about 17.5k on it. It was serviced at 35k by a BMW dealer, at 57k by an independent mechanic, at 77k by the garage I'm now talking to and at 97k by another garage.

All BMW would have would be a record of the 35k service I assume. The service book is stamped by everyone who serviced the car. I spoke to BMW head office and the dealership I bought the car from who all confirm the replacement of the oil breather filter is now recommended on all BMW 320d E46 after 60k miles.

I really can't see the problem. They serviced it, they didn't replace a part BMW say should have been replaced, the failure to replace this part is known to cause turbo failure, the turbo has failed, the filter is clogged solid, what's the issue?

robbie99

Are you talking miles or kilometers?

starsky02

Miles.

Mr.Diagnostic

reverandkenjami wrote: »

Unfortunately thats not the case! They can service the car and have it recognised as same but they will need to be 'trained' on the engines like main dealer mechanics and this costs extortionate amounts!

Thats not true.

Any qualified mechanic can service any car as long at it is serviced to factory spec and the parts used as either OEM or OEM quality without invalidating the warranty.
There is nothing about expensive factory training in the regs.

galwaytt

starsky02 wrote: »

Slightly baffled at this stage.

The garage which carried out the 77k service says they cannot get a clear answer from the BMW dealership they work with about my issue.

I bought the car with about 17.5k on it. It was serviced at 35k by a BMW dealer, at 57k by an independent mechanic, at 77k by the garage I'm now talking to and at 97k by another garage.

All BMW would have would be a record of the 35k service I assume. The service book is stamped by everyone who serviced the car. I spoke to BMW head office and the dealership I bought the car from who all confirm the replacement of the oil breather filter is now recommended on all BMW 320d E46 after 60k miles.

I really can't see the problem. They serviced it, they didn't replace a part BMW say should have been replaced, the failure to replace this part is known to cause turbo failure, the turbo has failed, the filter is clogged solid, what's the issue?

I'm fairly stunned by those intervals, tbh. I've a fsh Mazda diesel that still fubar'd with half those intervals. I wouldn't dream of passing 10k kms without changing the oil.

starsky02

Well, that's what the computer was telling me! In fact I think the computer was telling me I had another couple of thousand miles before a service when I got it serviced at 57k ish. I left it to the mechanic as the brake pad warning light was on and I thought I would get both jobs done at the same time. In fact the mechanic had two other E46's in his yard at the same time.

Also, I have a very easy style of driving. I do around 30,000 miles a year. It is mostly motorway driving so it's cruise control on at 70 mph which is just touching 2,000 rpm. I do this to try to max fuel efficiency and keep running costs down generally.

Had I known abouth the turbo issues, the swirlplate issues and the fact that the car really needs serviced every 10,000 miles, I wouldn't have touched it with a bargepole.

Solitaire

maidhc wrote: »

I think Fords are amongst the best at the moment.

I have had a few issues with my focus (DMF in particular) but for the most part people seem very happy with their Foci and Mondeos.

So you'd replace an exploding turbo with an exploding flywheel? :eek:

Unfortunately for the C- and D- segments DMFs are becoming more and more prevalent, and for some insane reason Ford and VAG use ridiculously overpriced and failure-prone variants which obliterates any kind of value-for-money they would have had compared to a big-engined petrol (and I've heard that some of those are now being fitted with DMFs too!). As a result its damn hard to recommend any Ford or VAG common-rail until there's a major change in the design and reliability in their flywheels

maidhc

Solitaire wrote: »

So you'd replace an exploding turbo with an exploding flywheel? :eek:

Unfortunately for the C- and D- segments DMFs are becoming more and more prevalent, and for some insane reason Ford and VAG use ridiculously overpriced and failure-prone variants which obliterates any kind of value-for-money they would have had compared to a big-engined petrol (and I've heard that some of those are now being fitted with DMFs too!). As a result its damn hard to recommend any Ford or VAG common-rail until there's a major change in the design and reliability in their flywheels

Have an Avensis on flywheel No 3!

I think all Common Rail diesels have them, including I assume BMW. Apparently the newer flywheels are better, but I don't really know.

starsky02

Update.

The dealership which serviced the car last has spoken to another BMW dealership. They say that the oil breather filter should be replaced at the third service, not at 60,000 miles plus. BMW now appear to confirm this.

That means the independent mechanic should have replaced it at the 57,000 mile service.

Pointless persuing him as he is a neighbour.

Really, really annoyed about this. Never, ever will I buy another BMW.

Eoin

starsky02 wrote: »

That means the independent mechanic should have replaced it at the 57,000 mile service.
Pointless persuing him as he is a neighbour.
....
Really, really annoyed about this. Never, ever will I buy another BMW.

Or never, ever use your neighbour to service your car?

Gumbo

starsky02 wrote: »

Update.

The dealership which serviced the car last has spoken to another BMW dealership. They say that the oil breather filter should be replaced at the third service, not at 60,000 miles plus. BMW now appear to confirm this.

That means the independent mechanic should have replaced it at the 57,000 mile service.

Pointless persuing him as he is a neighbour.

Really, really annoyed about this. Never, ever will I buy another BMW.

its not BMW's fault your neighbour serviced the car incorrectly now is it?
feel sorry that you had to learn the hard way though.

starsky02

Well, he is a professional mechanic running a garage from premises adjacent to his house. He also has a decent reputation as a mechanic. Always a few cars about the place.

I won't buy another BMW because I just don't see the longevity, reliability and customer service I would have expected for the premium price.

Eoin

How a car is looked after will go a long way to helping the longevity and reliability. Your neighbour didn't service the car properly. He might have a good reputation, but maybe he didn't do his homework in this case.

Gumbo

starsky02 wrote: »

Well, he is a professional mechanic running a garage from premises adjacent to his house. He also has a decent reputation as a mechanic. Always a few cars about the place.

I won't buy another BMW because I just don't see the longevity, reliability and customer service I would have expected for the premium price.

obviously he is not, or he would of serviced the car correctly.
its a 20euro breather filter that most decent mechanics should be aware of on BMW 2.0 diesel engines.

if you buy a product and dont service it according to the manufactures recommendations, then how do you expect to be treated by the manufacturer?

JHMEG

Lads, BMWs aren't mandatory. The OP doesn't have to buy one, for whatever reason. Even if he doesn't like the colour of the Norbert Reithofer's socks. No point in castigating him for it.

Eoin

JHMEG wrote: »

Lads, BMWs aren't mandatory. The OP doesn't have to buy one, for whatever reason. Even if he doesn't like the colour of the Norbert Reithofer's socks. No point in castigating him for it.

What a strange comment to make. Let's take the brand out of it, as some people seem to take issue with it.

Car wasn't serviced by independent mechanic as per manufacturer's guidelines, car has problems because of this, owner blames the make and not the mechanic who screwed up.

Edit - I am sorry to hear about your troubles OP, I just think your anger is misplaced.

maidhc

eoin wrote: »

What a strange comment to make. Let's take the brand out of it, as some people seem to take issue with it.

Car wasn't serviced by independent mechanic as per manufacturer's guidelines, car has problems because of this, owner blames the make and not the mechanic who screwed up.

Edit - I am sorry to hear about your troubles OP, I just think your anger is misplaced.

I think a lot of people are suspicios of 320ds at the moment in fairness.

Eoin

maidhc wrote: »

I think a lot of people are suspicios of 320ds at the moment in fairness.

That's a fair point - I'm not sure if the turbo problem was corrected by Oct 2004 or not, but this sounds like it was a maintenance issue not a manufacturer one - as "fanboy" as that will make me sound.

Gumbo

maidhc wrote: »

I think a lot of people are suspicios of 320ds at the moment in fairness.

eoin wrote: »

That's a fair point - I'm not sure if the turbo problem was corrected by Oct 2004 or not, but this sounds like it was a maintenance issue not a manufacturer one - as "fanboy" as that will make me sound.

as fair as im aware the turbo issue only affected the early 150bhp models, so from late 2003 iirc

Eoin

I think it was 2002 to late 2004, just not sure what months.

starsky02

Well, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse!

When the oil light came on I checked the owner's manual which said I ought not to drive the car more than 30km. I drove the car 10miles to the nearest garage with a disgnostic computer.

They told me the car might just need a good service and it might not be the turbo. I rang back later that day to be told that after the service, they realised it was the turbo as they checked the car in the workshop.

When I told them I would collect the car, I was told it was no longer driveable and the owner told me that I must have just made it to his place of business and no more.

I then went on the merrygoround of trying to get a goodwill gesture from BMW. Eventually I bought a reconditioned turbo from Essex Turbo and arranged for the repair to be carried out by an independent mechanic.

The mechanic rang me tonight and asked for my permission to start the car. I asked why and there was a long pause. He asked what I had been told about the circumstances in which the car had stopped running.

I explained that the car had been serviced and after servicing it became apparent that the turbo was blown and the garage decided it wasn't driveable. They told me they had rolled it out of the workshop and left it in the yard for collection.

My mechanic was told by their young mechanic today that after servicing the car, a young lad was asked to drive the car for a "rake" up the road to clear the old oil out. He noticed the car revving high on its own, stalled it in top gear, stopped, walked back to the delaership and the car had to be brought back on a low loader.

I was told none of this. In fact, I was explicitly told by the owner that the car had been no farther than the workshop.

I now see it that I have no choice but to take the car to a BMW dealer for a proper check of just what the hell has been done and to get any necessary repairs done. My mechanic says there's a risk of blowing the whole engine up depending on just what the last garage has done.

Waaaaay past angry at the moment. I also have a reconditioned turbo which cost me £600 which BMW won't fit.

There's going to be blue air between me and that dealer tomorrow.

Gumbo

you should take it to AC Cars on the South Circular Road in Dublin to be fixed once and for all imo.

starsky02

Actually, the lesson I've learned is get all your servicing and repair work done at the same place. That way there's no passsing the buck.

rossy00

my turbo hasnt totally failed yet. put i have a feeling its on its way out. some mornings on start up i put the foot down and no power. after five mins the turbo kicks in and then is grand for the rest of the day. plus ive noticed its drinking oil and smoke is bellowing out the exhaust every now and again. so can i save the turbo or will i have to replace it? its going into the garage tomorrow the gets the breaks done but im going to have to get this looked at also.


Thanks in advance:)

galwaytt

...there's no saving a turbo.

There is only saving the rest of the engine. So, stop driving it now, and either fix it, or wait 'til you have enough to. Otherwise you'll need to find even more money.

rossy00

see what they say tomorrow. has FSH and never missed a service hopefully it wont cost me a fortune.