X5 3.0d turbo problems (police siren)

[Benx5]

Evening all,

I’m looking for some advice please. I have a 2006 3.0d with 60k miles and a few months ago I stared hearing what sounds like a police siren coming from my turbo. I took it straight to my local BMW specialist for them to have a look at it and was told they couldn't find anything mechanically wrong with it and if still drives ok not to worry???
I’ve got no loss in power but my mpg has dropped. I’m now looking to px to the new shape X5 but don’t want to put dealers off with the sound of the turbo!
I’ve had a good look on Google and some people say that the turbo is on its way out or it could be a simple gasket that needs changing?
It does it all the time and makes no difference if it’s hot or cold!
Any advice would be much appreciated as I don’t want to spend £1500.00 on a new turbo if I can help it...........!!!

Thanks

Ben

[Zulu95]

Get a second opinion. If you are out of warranty period look for an indy as they should be cheaper and more likely to want you to keep coming back.

[Benx5]

Thanks for that, It was an independant garage I took it to! I also had it serviced my a BMW main dealer last month and nothing was picked up there either so I've got no idea what to do, I'm sure any car dealer I try and sell it to will say it needs a new turbo and offer me a lot less for it when it could only be a cheap fix???!!!!

[bigwave2255]

i have the same car and have a very slight external oil leak, here in Australia there are any number of after market turbo installers who can fit an exchange turbo or even recondition yours, i would be checking around as im sure you will have similar services in your country.

im led to believe turbos are fairly simple devices and have few moving parts, cleanliness is the all important part however, from your description you may have a noise bearing, or poor lubrication oil supply, im led to believe that the crankcase breather can also clog up and then the motor pressurises its self and that can cause seals to fail.

look around in your area for turbo repairs

oh im also led to believe that the turbo fitted is a common one and NOT unique to BMW

[powers1]

Originally Posted by Benx5

Thanks for that, It was an independant garage I took it to! I also had it serviced my a BMW main dealer last month and nothing was picked up there either so I've got no idea what to do, I'm sure any car dealer I try and sell it to will say it needs a new turbo and offer me a lot less for it when it could only be a cheap fix???!!!!

Sounds like the common manifold cracked!Can you try to record the sound?Where are you in the country?If you not too far from Stroud,Glouscestershire,we give you a diagnostic fro free.

[Benx5]

I've found this video and mine makes the same noise (listen for 20secs)N54 Turbo Sounds 2 - YouTube

Think i'm gonna have to take the plunge and get a new turbo.............

Thanks for the offer powers1 but im in Kent