[snow8oard]

Hi, there's a slight leaking of oil coming from below/around the turbo areas. Suspect (no mechanical knowledge) its leaking hoses/seals/pipes but cant really see the area. It produces a few drops on the undertray when warm but not an excessive amount and car seems to drive fine. Its not the red flexi intercooler hose as this was recently replaced.

Any ideas what could be causing it and how big a job it could be or turn into. Dont scare me with horror stories....please.

 

[Kevin Whittaker]

How much oil are you talking about it leaking in say a week or a month?? Some oil will always be evident around a turbo, it's the nature of the beast I am afraid. Just depends how much it is leaking, whether it is "normal" or a seal (or anything else) beginning to fail.

As for internal seals for the turbo.... Not really something that you can easily replace yourself as it requires specialist equipment and knowledge - you might be better getting a reconditioned unit or having your unit professionally overhauled..

 

[snow8oard]

Were talking a few drops when warm,not much at all. Its hard to identify the area but if you feel under the turbo's (when cooled) you can feel oil residue. Over time it ust be collecting on the drip tray and finding its way onto the drive at a rate of one drop per day ish. Oil level on dipstick is fine, its not losing any oil as far as i can tell.

 

[Kevin Whittaker]

It doesn't sound like it is coming from the turbo's themselves then (not enough oil - yet)....

I think that you are going to have to get underneath (or get someone else to) and try and narrow it down abit - there are quite a lot of joints and gaskets on the pipework, any one of which may well the the cause.

I am afraid that I have no idea or information just how difficult or time consuming this might be on this car - you may well need to enlist the help of a specialist due to the complexities of the system and the relative newness of the car.

 

[snow8oard]

Cheers Mate, just been this morning to see BMW techy bloke. He's said exactly what you,ve just said about all the joints etc underneath. He reckons it could be a feed to the small turbo and he's gonna show me how to get into it and diagnose the leak. He says its something and nothing but he'll be able to sort it easily enough. I'll post on our findings later,
Thanks.

 

[Kevin Whittaker]

Cheers Mate, just been this morning to see BMW techy bloke. He's said exactly what you,ve just said about all the joints etc underneath. He reckons it could be a feed to the small turbo and he's gonna show me how to get into it and diagnose the leak. He says its something and nothing but he'll be able to sort it easily enough. I'll post on our findings later,
Thanks.

Sounds like you have got it all in hand, good luck with the task. Please keep us posted and take some pictures if you can:thumbsup

 

[snow8oard]

During conversation he mentioned that he's just replced the small turbo on a 535d lci 2008. It was the first one he's ever seen go and even the BMW dealership he bought it off haven't seen one fail prior to this. It cost £600 for the small turbo and he said he fit it in no time.

Bloke is called Muj and i cant recommend him enough, he took time on his day off to come and look at my problems.

 

[SlowTech]

Thats the guy at Birkby, Huddersfield isn't it snow? is he a bit of a derv guru as I could do with a good derv mechanic having a look at mine???

 

[snow8oard]

Yep thats him. Do you have his details? pm me if you need them.

 

[snow8oard]

Not sure if he's classed as a derv guru, but he looks after cars from the garage at the front and they have porsches, bentleys and every high performance BMW available to man. I'm guessing he's some sort of guru!

 

[SlowTech]

Yep thats him. Do you have his details? pm me if you need them.

Think sham mentioned him in an earlier thread but if you've got his details to hand then PM away,
my old dear lives out that way so its not an issue nipping over the pennines for me

Not sure if he's classed as a derv guru, but he looks after cars from the garage at the front and they have porsches, bentleys and every high performance BMW available to man. I'm guessing he's some sort of guru!

Shame my peasant 320d will look out of place down there then :frown :hihi