X5 diesel engine noise - With VID.

[Dr. Anthony]

Originally Posted by boredincl

Whats the latest with your X?
I have the same issue/noise so I pulled the inlet air tubes on low pressure turbo (lower big turbo) and the high pressure Turbo (top turbo) to check for shaft play. lower turbo is fine, but the top turbo has play in the shaft which is causing the compressor wheel to rub under full boost. I am in the process of finding a replacement CHRA (center section of turbo) or a rebuilt turbo and have been told buy 2 rebuilders who spoke to Borg Warner that it is a dealer only item.
I am not convinced that that is the case as B/W is having them rebuilt so they must be available unless they are rebuilding it themselves.
Has anyone had luck finding a replacement unit other then through BMW? My turbo part number is 5439 971 0088 (BorgWarner KP39-1873ECD310.12ACCXX) BMW part #11657811405.

So here's your update... My sound got worse as I put more mileage on the vehicle.

I thought it was my turbos. I bought bohl turbos and had them installed at a shop as I didn't have the time and just wanted it "done" The day it was supposed to be done, the guy calls me and says "There's a manifold stud/bolt on your head thats broken" I asked him to remove it, drill it out.. whatever, just get it done. (I had supplied all new gaskets, bolts, o-rings..etc) He claimed he wasn't able to, but said "it'll be fine.." He bolted it all back together with the new turbos, new seals around all the charge pipes, and a new red chargepipe. He also couldnt find my supplied gaskets that are used for the turbo to the manifold. So he reused my old gaskets. Anyways, he Started it up and got the EXACT SAME SOUND.
Except now, its worse. I should have just done it myself. Anyway, it'll be torn down next week and if I have to rip the head off to have it drilled out, so be it. I'll use all brand new gaskets as well for obvious reasons. But I honestly feel the noise I'm getting is definitely from these gaskets.

my old turbos had some play, but nothing significant. Again, none of the impellers were rubbing against the housing tho.
Hope this helps

TLDR: Replaced turbos, it wasn't the turbos.