N54 Snapped Turbo-Downpipe V-Band Clamp

SixSix · 05-11-2021, 11:44 PM

Just wanted to document this, last night my car was smelling pretty raw towards the front of the car and there was what I thought was a very loud wastegate rattle.

Turns out after further inspection, my bank 1 V-Band clamp snapped at the spot weld. Recently did a swap to a lower mileage engine and replaced pretty well everything on the engine.

Brand new V-Band clamp snapped after less than 1300 miles.

Attached below are some pictures of what happened and how I fixed it, the welds could've looked a little nicer but it'll hold for sure until I get a new clamp, might end up welding my bank 2 V-Band as well depending on how this one holds up.

BSM n54iS · 05-12-2021, 12:50 AM

OEM v band or where did you purchase?

stewbets · 05-12-2021, 10:38 AM

No reason to get a new one now! You've massively upgraded it. Those spot welds are pathetically tiny. I'd also like to know if that V-band is OEM.

Tyc0 · 05-12-2021, 01:26 PM

Mine did the same thing and I fixed it the same way

Empire087 · 05-12-2021, 06:49 PM

I welded mine when it broke, still running strong lol.

N8N · 05-12-2021, 07:27 PM

I just had a similar failure on a turbo outlet clamp. Glad it was that and not the turbo though...

SixSix · 05-13-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

OEM v band or where did you purchase?

(OEM) clamps purchased from GermanParts Canada. The description stated that these clamps were from an OEM manufacturer. No BMW stamping but the build quality was reasonably identical to the original BMW clamps.

SixSix · 05-13-2021, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewbets

No reason to get a new one now! You've massively upgraded it. Those spot welds are pathetically tiny. I'd also like to know if that V-band is OEM.

I think I'll be pulling both downpipes out soon to weld the bank 2 clamp as well. I purchased these clamps from GermanParts. The description said they were OEM clamps but without the BMW stamp. Maybe I got a faulty clamp? Maybe they're just junk quality. Regardless, I don't think I'll be breaking the one that I welded.

haaken675 · 05-13-2021, 01:19 PM

Had to do the same thing. The spot welds are tiny....

drubular · 05-15-2021, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixSix

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewbets

No reason to get a new one now! You've massively upgraded it. Those spot welds are pathetically tiny. I'd also like to know if that V-band is OEM.

I think I'll be pulling both downpipes out soon to weld the bank 2 clamp as well. I purchased these clamps from GermanParts. The description said they were OEM clamps but without the BMW stamp. Maybe I got a faulty clamp? Maybe they're just junk quality. Regardless, I don't think I'll be breaking the one that I welded.

I've got two brand new BMW ones if you're interested. My car was totaled and I'm clearing out my garage. [IMG][/IMG]

BSM n54iS · 05-18-2021, 10:59 PM

Hmmm I think you've been bamboozled! Those welds do look pathetically weak in comparison to OEM imo.. plus the bolts are black.

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Name: 2021-05-18_19-56-33.jpg
Views: 1524
Size: 33.1 KB

SixSix · 05-19-2021, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drubular

I've got two brand new BMW ones if you're interested. My car was totaled and I'm clearing out my garage. [IMG][/IMG]

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate the offer but I ended up pulling both downpipes and welding the bank 2 v-band as well.

SixSix · 05-19-2021, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Hmmm I think you've been bamboozled! Those welds do look pathetically weak in comparison to OEM imo.. plus the bolts are black.

Attachment 2607365

You'd be correct! After looking at the two spares I had in my garage which I forgot about, the spot welds are noticeably larger than the new "OEM" clamps I got. The picture you attached as well shows the difference extremely well. I would be more upset about getting some bunk clamps but welding the sheet metal onto the clamp is a cheap alternative for me, and imo I don't think I'll be having an issue with them in the future.

ab987 · 05-21-2021, 01:18 AM

Here's a scary thing I haven't told anybody and try to block out of my head. I had the exact same thing happen when doing my turbos last year and I was stupid and cheap to reuse my original 84k mile ones. I just lined it up well, it was a clean break and meshed well so I lined it up and bolted it nice and tight and it's still holding 6 months later in 2 pieces, nice and stable, no difference between the good and bad one. No noticeable exhaust leaks or anything either. Next time I switch my downpipes out for emissions I'll make sure to replace it.

05-11-2021, 11:44 PM	#1
SixSix Private 20 Rep 91 Posts Drives: (2007 BMW 335i E92) Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 BMW 325xi [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	N54 Snapped Turbo-Downpipe V-Band Clamp Just wanted to document this, last night my car was smelling pretty raw towards the front of the car and there was what I thought was a very loud wastegate rattle. Turns out after further inspection, my bank 1 V-Band clamp snapped at the spot weld. Recently did a swap to a lower mileage engine and replaced pretty well everything on the engine. Brand new V-Band clamp snapped after less than 1300 miles. Attached below are some pictures of what happened and how I fixed it, the welds could've looked a little nicer but it'll hold for sure until I get a new clamp, might end up welding my bank 2 V-Band as well depending on how this one holds up. Attached Images
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05-12-2021, 12:50 AM	#2
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2686 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	OEM v band or where did you purchase? __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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05-12-2021, 10:38 AM	#3
stewbets Captain 454 Rep 823 Posts Drives: '08 335xi, '04 545i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	No reason to get a new one now! You've massively upgraded it. Those spot welds are pathetically tiny. I'd also like to know if that V-band is OEM. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT - 16T China Turbskies - eBay FMIC, DP & CP - VRSF Inlets - SSR DCI's - Walbro 450 LPFP - RFP e85 Tune
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05-12-2021, 01:26 PM	#4
Tyc0 Lieutenant 151 Rep 517 Posts Drives: BMW e92 335i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Mine did the same thing and I fixed it the same way
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05-12-2021, 06:49 PM	#5
Empire087 Private First Class 38 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 18 340xi 8at 15.5 CCSB 3500 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Green Bay, WI iTrader: (0)	I welded mine when it broke, still running strong lol.
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05-12-2021, 07:27 PM	#6
N8N Lieutenant Colonel 179 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Berwyn Heights, MD iTrader: (2)	I just had a similar failure on a turbo outlet clamp. Glad it was that and not the turbo though...
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05-13-2021, 01:19 PM	#9
haaken675 First Lieutenant 109 Rep 304 Posts Drives: 24v turbo e30, e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Had to do the same thing. The spot welds are tiny....
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05-18-2021, 10:59 PM	#11
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2686 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	Hmmm I think you've been bamboozled! Those welds do look pathetically weak in comparison to OEM imo.. plus the bolts are black. __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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05-21-2021, 01:18 AM	#14
ab987 Lieutenant 323 Rep 455 Posts Drives: X3M, M3, 335i Join Date: May 2020 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [9.50] 2008 BMW 335i [9.00] 2020 BMW X3 M [9.25] 2016 Mini Cooper [0.00]	Here's a scary thing I haven't told anybody and try to block out of my head. I had the exact same thing happen when doing my turbos last year and I was stupid and cheap to reuse my original 84k mile ones. I just lined it up well, it was a clean break and meshed well so I lined it up and bolted it nice and tight and it's still holding 6 months later in 2 pieces, nice and stable, no difference between the good and bad one. No noticeable exhaust leaks or anything either. Next time I switch my downpipes out for emissions I'll make sure to replace it.
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