Hello everyone, I am hopeful that someone out there can give me some advice. Complete noob and trying not to get took for a ride by a mechanic.

I was driving my 2008 535i the other day and I had a code throw for Misfire in 1. I replaced the coil and it was fine for another two days. Then Misfire in 5, replaced bad coil and was fine for another day. Now out of nowhere it sounds like a huge boost leak under the hood, I can hear the turbo blowing right out. Decided to run it to see if I had power real power loss and it went into limp mode. Took it to him to scan and a couple hours later he said the turbo is bad.

My question is can someone tell if a turbo is bad without actually taking it off the car and examining it?

If my turbo is gone so be it, i will replace it. Should i take to $tealer and get second opinion for 150 USD?

Lastly if the turbo is lost and I am not smoking how long is it safe to creep around driving? I have been keeping uner 3500 rpm best i can short shifting keeping out of boost, but how long can It drive like this? It does not go into limp mode if I drive normally.

Thanks for any advice/replies I really appreciate you even reading this.

 

Sounds like you have a cracked charge pipe which is a common problem with the N54. Google 'cracked charge pipe n54".

 

I was trying to find a video for this just now and seems I can't find any that actually have the engine running showing what it sounds like. I am hopeful it is chargepipe but my car sounds exactly like this:


If it is the turbo 100% should i replace both and save from having to pay to swap out the other later on when it fails?

I am going to feel around on my charge pipe to see. I will update later today. Thanks for the help.

 

I dont think its turbo check all off your connections before you start throwing $$$ check chargepipe if its not cracked check FMIC connections, check air filter box, check vacuum lines

 

If it was the turbo you should be getting blue smoke and the smell of burning oil. Check all the stuff mentioned above.

 

When I took it in to have a code checked it seems my brilliant mechanic left the diverter valves unsecured and the one closes to the firewall blew out of the socket. I guess when he did the simple coil job for me the young kid they got their forgot to secure the diverter valves again. Well problem solved, thanks for the help everyone.

 

No idea why he would have to take the diverter valve off when replacing coils....? Should be able to remove the intake trim off and just remove the coils. 10-15 minute job.

 

Was thinking this myself, honestly I think he was trying to screw me. Or the kid working on it was literally a freaking moron and was taking crap off he didn't need to. I am all for kids learning but not at the expense of my vehicle.

 

I'm sorry for your lost bro

I destroy my front turbo a year ago. That is the same sound i was getting after it started to shave down the fins.

Until one day i got sucker punch at 6am on my way to work....

Smoke everywhere at had to rush the 10 min drive to work.

To park the car until further notice.


Check out my car back then...

 

I hope someone can help me....

In reading endless threads here I could be a number of things...
1. Valve cover
2. Charge Pipe
3. Turbos.. ( I hope not)

I bought the car with 64,000 miles on it and otherwise is a nice car. Runs strong, no stuttering... get about 17-18 mpg in city and 24 on the highway.

Oil change 1,000 miles ago. 5/20 will have it changed to 5/30 as required.
1qt of oil 235 miles
77,500 miles on car
crankcase pressure test at 7.5mbar, spec is 21mbar max
Fault survey revealed - DME faults for o2 sensors and low pressure fuel sensor.I do smell burning oil at times lightly in the car or from the area of the windshield.

noticed that if I have the car on an down hill (engine lower than tail pipe) and rev the car for 15 seconds at 1,500 to 2,000 RPMs I get blue smoke.

Thanks in advance for your help.