Diesel turbo charger stoppage after dealer service.

[fatboyoz]

Hi All,
Just like to vent my spleen.
Just had my '05 Diesel in for it's third service (73,000km). Service booklet says at year 3 the engine inlet filter should be changed. Four days later, the X ran out of steam under acceleration. My diagnosis? Turbo charger, and very suspicious just after a dealer service that included opening up the induction system. Decided to investigate the problem myself. Found that, after replacing the new inlet filter, not only had they failed to tighten two of the bolts, but they hadn't seated the cover correctly and it was sucking air from the back of the engine instead of through the induction system!!! This resulted in the induction airflow bypassing the airflow sensor, and the computer deciding that there was no need for the turbo to spin up. Sloppy workmanship, made even worse when you consider that they charge Aussie $150 an hour labour. Rang them and complained. A senior technician was at my house within the hour to rectify the fault, and fitted a new cabin microfilter, for free, to placate me. Would have been really pissed off if we had set off on one of our regular 7000km jaunts with this problem in tow.
Regards Colin.

[eddii]

man that sucks!!!! just goes to show that you can never trust anyone! which workshop did u get the service done? it wouldve been interesting if they would own up to it if you didnt find the fault yourself.
did the service cost much? im nearly due for my second service.

[fatboyoz]

Originally Posted by eddii

man that sucks!!!! just goes to show that you can never trust anyone! which workshop did u get the service done? it wouldve been interesting if they would own up to it if you didnt find the fault yourself.
did the service cost much? im nearly due for my second service.

Eddii,
Have just checked my old service records and this is what happened at my second service at 42,000km.

• BMW Inspection 1 $165
• Oil service with oil($180) andfilter ($52) $232
• Aircon Micro Filter $126
• Replace brake system fluid (every 2 years) $120
• GST $ 65

Total $708

I'm pretty sure, that if I hadn't investigated the problem myself, the outcome would have been different.

Regards Colin.

[eddii]

Thanks for the heads up! how hard was it to get to the air filter? i was thinking of fitting a k&n air filter when it's due to be replaced. do u think it'll void my warranty?

[fatboyoz]

Originally Posted by eddii

Thanks for the heads up! how hard was it to get to the air filter? i was thinking of fitting a k&n air filter when it's due to be replaced. do u think it'll void my warranty?

Eddii,
Take the 4 plastic rivets out of the cold air inlet by pulling up the centre section of each rivet. Lift it and the ducting away from the engine whilst pushing in the ducting release tab where it attaches to the filter inlet. Undo three screws from filter inlet panel and pull away. At this point you will see the filter, but still can't get at it. Undo five, alan headed, Set Screws that hold the filter cover in place, lift cover straight up and away and this will reveal the filter. These Set Screws do not come all of the way out of the panel when they are un done (stops you from dropping them). The hardest one to get to is right at the back, as it is not visible and has to be done by feel.
The filter cost me $120 plus 40 minutes labour, so is a worthwhile DIY job and is done at every third service. I would have thought you would be out of warranty by the time this was required.
Good Luck,
Colin.

[blueagle]

My car is due for a 30k check up next week. I also drive an 02 E53 X5 3.0d euro.

[fatboyoz]

[quote=fatboyoz]Hi All,
Just like to vent my spleen.
Just had my '05 Diesel in for it's third service (73,000km). Service booklet says at year 3 the engine inlet filter should be changed. Four days later, the X ran out of steam under acceleration. My diagnosis? Turbo charger, and very suspicious just after a dealer service that included opening up the induction system. Decided to investigate the problem myself. Found that, after replacing the new inlet filter, not only had they failed to tighten two of the bolts, but they hadn't seated the cover correctly and it was sucking air from the back of the engine instead of through the induction system!!! This resulted in the induction airflow bypassing the airflow sensor, and the computer deciding that there was no need for the turbo to spin up. Sloppy workmanship, made even worse when you consider that they charge Aussie $150 an hour labour. Rang them and complained. A senior technician was at my house within the hour to rectify the fault, and fitted a new cabin microfilter, for free, to placate me. Would have been really pissed off if we had set off on one of our regular 7000km jaunts with this problem in tow.
Regards Colin.[/quote

Hi All Again,
Two weeks later and the X is blowing excess black smoke and the turbo has failed to spin up three or four times. A friend was driving behind me this morning, and commented in the amount of smoke I was making. Soooo, off with the engine accoustic cover, off with the inlet filter housing, and what did I find? When the BMW Tech', from the last service, fitted the new inlet filter, not only did he not fit the cover back on properly (as per above post), but he also got the fleshy, rubber, sealing ring of the filter caught on the inside (rather than the outside) of the lip where it sits. This has torn the sealing ring so that it has been covering the inlet hole and also masking the airflow sensor that, I assume, the computer uses to schedule fuel flow and turbo spin up. Why have I not taken it back to the dealer I hear you ask? Well, losing faith rapidly in their ability to do even simple routine tasks and getting it right! Have used some silicon sealant to repair the sealing ring. When it goes off, back together and keep my fingers crossed that this will cure the black smoke and turbo woes. Will keep you all posted.
Regards Colin.

[eddii]

That's wrong..... Very wrong. U should file a formal complaint to the dealer and tell them how incompetent their technician is!