[ratherBeDriving]

Hello Everyone,

New member and a first time diesel owner here. I come from a 2008 328i.

335d is an awesome car! I tried to convince myself to get the tried and true 335i however after a few test drives, I got addicted to the diesel's torque and it has been a blast so far. I would like to keep this car for as long as I can. So I would appreciate your help to diagnose, what I think is soot build up around my turbos. Car has a little over 5000 miles, I drive it hard.

Following is where I see what seems to be splashed mix of soot and oil (sorry for the quality of the pictures, this is a very though to capture area with the equipment I have available):



Here you can see it a bit closer:



Even closer:



You can see the same stuff sprayed on a clamp near the actuator between the turbos:



Again the same area:



This stuff doesn't look like oil to me, however I would like to know what you think. I would also appreciate if you let me know whether you observe a similar build up around this area.

Thanks!

[F32Fleet]

I'm thinking soot would look like a fine powder. You could wash it down/off and serif it comes back.

[kbsilver]

Just looked at my D (15K miles), and it appears exactly the same as the pictures. So not sure if it's normal, but it seems to be common. I just pushed a paper towel down there with my grabber tool, and the paper towel came back clean. So whatever it is, doesn't come off easily (which I would think soot would).

[Ron1n]

Same on mine.

[DieselDiner]

Not sure if this is the same thing, please take a look at this thread from the UK and compare it to your cars. Let us know what you think: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=egr

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by DieselDiner

Not sure if this is the same thing, please take a look at this thread from the UK and compare it to your cars. Let us know what you think:

That's a completly different thing. What is being described here is a dry, not oily residue. A lot is going on in this area. Turbos, multiple EGR systems, blow off valves (?).

[ratherBeDriving]

Thanks kbsilver and Ron1n for confirming.

Like kbsilver said, this residue doesn't look oily at all and it doesn't come off. I don't see any capillarization around the droplets like oil would have. It almost looks like paint.

I have no photographic evidence but these droplets weren't there when the car was brand new.

I will bring this up with my SA when the car is in for its first check up in about 8K miles, but as it is right now I don't think an earlier visit is needed.

[Coolieman1220]

i'm gonna check mine....

[F32Fleet]

I have it..worried..not at all.

[Quasimodem]

Probably diesel termites. I am afraid you are going to have to have your car tented.

[NVM]

It will be fine particles of nox residue... This is usually down to overloaded DPFs

[ratherBeDriving]

Originally Posted by NVM

It will be fine particles of nox residue... This is usually down to overloaded DPFs

Hmm interesting theory. However, this car gets routine long highway trips and it is driven in DS mode exclusively. Also I never had any in dash warning about the emission system so far, I believe an under preforming DPF is supposed to store error codes.

I'm sticking with Quasimodem's termite theory

[kbsilver]

Just brought the D in for the EGR recall. I specifically asked about the soot near the turbos and it was written on the worksheet. Answer was "Spots are caused by soot and is a normal condition". Well, that was real helpful.

I have a 2011 so the recall was just EGR replacement and DME software update. Best I can tell in 40 miles of driving the car seems exactly the same. Some of the presets along with trip computer info is lost in the update.

[Coolieman1220]

mine has some soot too

[ratherBeDriving]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

Just brought the D in for the EGR recall. I specifically asked about the soot near the turbos and it was written on the worksheet. Answer was "Spots are caused by soot and is a normal condition". Well, that was real helpful.

I have a 2011 so the recall was just EGR replacement and DME software update. Best I can tell in 40 miles of driving the car seems exactly the same. Some of the presets along with trip computer info is lost in the update.

Thanks kbsilver! As far as i know you are the first owner to verify this with a BMW service technician.

Few weeks back I had a chance to inspect another 335d and it was exactly the same. Also many other owners observe the same build up as well:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=616968

So this is obviously normal. Also I can verify that this has nothing to do with the recent recalls as my car is one of the last cars that was produced and not part of the recall.

Basically this is just a curiosity at this point nothing to worry about.