[eshaq786]

Ive just got my e90 320d 2005 but it feels a bit underpowered. It feels as though there is no turbo. Where the turbo boost should come in, i just dont feel it.

Mechanic who repaired car for me said turbo actuator was broken and he repaired as best he could. Could that be causing me to have no turbo if it does prove faulty? Would the whole turbo or just the actuator need replacing?

And if they do then does anyone know a place where i can get a cheap one?

[E92Fan]

If the actuator is broken, then you'll need a new actuator. Unlikely that you will need a new turbo, unless the impeller blades have broken off. If they had, you wouldn't be driving your car at all!!

A new actuator rod and wastegate is not expensive, but the labour to remove the old, and install the new, that's some serious work. It'll take a good five hours. You'd best contact Kevin Bird at www.birdsauto.com or 01753 657444 as they are BMW specialists and charge half the labour rate that a BMW main dealer does. It's imperative you go to a good independent who know how to setup the actuators. Kevin and his guys fixed my car not long ago for a similar issue, so I know they can do the job. They're based in Iver, near Heathrow.

[eshaq786]

The actuator rod was broken but the mechanic said he glued it back together. Was that enough or do you think the rod has broken again?

Would the turbo not kick in at all if the actuator was broken?

[E92Fan]

He glued the actuator ?!!! No way!!! Of course that won't work - the turbo will get so hot, the glue will melt off straight away and it will never hold vacuum! Pus there is only so much leeway in the interference fit for the actuator rod - the glue will get in the way and not allow free movement. The actuator rod is prone to breaking even in the best of circumstances - having a botched job isn't going to work unfortunately!

If the actuator is broken and the wastegate stuck open, which is most likely, then yes it will feel like there's no turbo, because there is a constantly open loop in the circuit which doesn't allow pressure to build up, therefore no boost.

[coodem]

Now I have heard it all.

[eshaq786]

Ah I see. It makes sense. Do u know where I can get hold of an actuator for a good price?

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by eshaq786

Ah I see. It makes sense. Do u know where I can get hold of an actuator for a good price?

Yes, BMW... !!! There's only one source, and that's OEM. Are you intent on getting your own mechanic to fix it ?? I would not advise it - the setting up of the wastegate is a very tricky process, and requires a vacuum-supply line to apply the correct pressure, having had ambient pressure calculated as well to match. The fact that your mechanic tried to 'glue' the actuator rod back together again should be warning enough that you need to seek proper expert remedy as opposed to a patch-together option.

If the actuator rod fails completely and parts of it get ingested into the turbo, the result in this extreme scenario would be horrific

I'll give you an example - not long ago I saw a 320d go into a BMW workshop with the owner complaining of erratic turbo behaviour. It was diagnosed that the turbo bearing was wearing out, causing the impeller to seize on occasion. The owner decided he would go sort it out himself, thinking he would get another opinion from a local independent. The independent rubbished BMWs diagnosis, saying that it was a clogged filter and the owner was happy he saved the money. Two weeks later, the turbo bearing disintegrated completely, and bits of it wound up in the oil supply and completely destroyed the bottom end of the engine

I saw the bloke back at the workshop with his head in his hands, the car on a trailer, and being faced with a £6500 bill for a new engine...


So, what I'm trying to say is - if you're going to do it yourself, or with your local mechanic, make sure he actually knows what he's doing... and tell him to stay off the glue

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Yes, BMW... !!! There's only one source, and that's OEM. Are you intent on getting your own mechanic to fix it ?? I would not advise it - the setting up of the wastegate is a very tricky process, and requires a vacuum-supply line to apply the correct pressure, having had ambient pressure calculated as well to match. The fact that your mechanic tried to 'glue' the actuator rod back together again should be warning enough that you need to seek proper expert remedy as opposed to a patch-together option.

If the actuator rod fails completely and parts of it get ingested into the turbo, the result in this extreme scenario would be horrific

I'll give you an example - not long ago I saw a 320d go into a BMW workshop with the owner complaining of erratic turbo behaviour. It was diagnosed that the turbo bearing was wearing out, causing the impeller to seize on occasion. The owner decided he would go sort it out himself, thinking he would get another opinion from a local independent. The independent rubbished BMWs diagnosis, saying that it was a clogged filter and the owner was happy he saved the money. Two weeks later, the turbo bearing disintegrated completely, and bits of it sound up in the oil supply and completely destroyed the bottom end of the engine

I saw the bloke back at the workshop with his head in his hands, the car on a trailer, and being faced with a £6500 bill for a new engine...


So, what I'm trying to say is - if you're going to do it yourself, or with your local mechanic, make sure he actually knows what he's doing... and tell him to stay off the glue

100%

[eshaq786]

What about if I just get a turbo replacement and replace the whole turbo. I've seen a used turbo for about 400. Would a decent mechanic be able to fit it or would it have to be done by bmw? How much does the thing that you're suggesting cost?

[dxb335d]

Was it you Mega?

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Was it you Mega?

LOL no. Sounds more like a carsplosh move than a mega move that


Just thought the post was excellent and deserved backing up

[MOB]

Originally Posted by coodem

Now I have heard it all.

^ what he said

[willhollin]

Should of used "No More Nails."

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by MEGA

LOL no. Sounds more like a carsplosh move than a mega move that


Just thought the post was excellent and deserved backing up

nAH MATE i aint daft, i know how turbo engines work.

[eshaq786]

Does anyone know any good bmw places who don't cost much near Birmingham.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by eshaq786

Does anyone know any good bmw places who don't cost much near Birmingham.

Any garage is gonna charge at least £50/hour these days to stay afloat, even a small independent.

A main dealers will charge about £150 per hour, as E92fan says, 5 hours for an actuator is £750 in labour! (+vat)

I suggest you phone Birds as E92 fan says and get a price, you could drive to Iver from Brum, get it fixed and be home in the evening no probs. No back street garage will be able to help you i'm afraid.

If you just bought it, was it from a trader? was it broken when you got it? You should take it back if so.

[eshaq786]

Ive been doing some research and there appears to be a front actuator and a rear actuator. Whats the difference if any or does my car only have one? Its a 320d e90 2005.

[fastloop]

I would only expect two actuators on the 335i/335d because they are twin turbo'ed. One for the front and one for the back turbo. On yours there should only be one actuator.

[SiKkBaSs]

Wow. Sounds like a big problem. Good luck in fixing it mate.

[eshaq786]

I've managed to locate a turbo which has done 60000 miles and will cost 375 which is for supply and fit with 3 month guarantee. Does that sound like a good price and how long will the turbo last if it's already done 60k.

Also the mechanic who is selling it said these use electronic actuators and therefore do not require a vacuum like the old ones. Is that true?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by eshaq786

I've managed to locate a turbo which has done 60000 miles and will cost 375 which is for supply and fit with 3 month guarantee. Does that sound like a good price and how long will the turbo last if it's already done 60k.

Also the mechanic who is selling it said these use electronic actuators and therefore do not require a vacuum like the old ones. Is that true?

It depends if its had 60,000 easy or hard miles! You never know I'm afraid when buying used parts like that. Bear in mind, if it fails it could pass metal shards into the inlet tract and the oil which could well destroy your whole engine - scrap.

Go onto www.realoem.com and type in the last 7 digits of your VIN number. You can then look at drawing of all the parts and see what you may need, get the part number of the actuator and phone BMW for a parts price. If BMW fit it you get a 2 year guarantee on parts and labour, that's real piece of mind.

I've had a look and there doen't seem to be a separate actuator shown for your vehicle, just the whole turbo unit part num. 11657795499 (i picked a April 05 model, but you should enter your vin to be exact) I'm sure however that a actuator is available separately.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=11&fg=50

[eshaq786]

I've typed in my vin and it's come up with the same diagram. Any chance you might know the part number for this actuator.