Hi
I have a 2006 E61 520d which had been driving completely normally until it suddenly experienced a significant power loss whilst driving on the motorway. Seemed to drive perfectly fine although limited to approx. 50mph as I cruised to the next services. AA guy could not find any faults (with diagnostic kit) other than turbo hose not pressurising when engine revved. A ride home on the AA truck and a trip to a BMW main dealer for diagnostics identified no significant electrical faults. Code 4530 (low boost) was main culprit. Verdict of dealer was turbo replacement required (£1900 fitted) as they diagnosed it down to a turbo mechanical failure.
Bearing in mind that car drives fine (albeit with permanently reduced power), makes no strange noises and does not produce any smoke, makes me think that the turbo unit is probably ok? Having looked through a few forums, it appears that the electronic actuators/variable guide vanes can be problematic, e.g actuator fail, arm sticking, soot in turbo guide vanes etc. I brought the car home last night and checked the actuator. It rotates during engine start and moves smaller increments when the engine is revved. I am not convinced that movement is completely smooth but it does look pretty good. Unfortunately I am trying to find someone at work with a 320/520d who will let me look at their actuator operation for a comparison…
I note that actuators are not available separately and various comments that they are paired to turbo’s by Garrett during manufacture? I also note at least one person claiming to have successfully swapped an actuator (with youtube footage) and have seen reconditioned actuators on ebay etc
Note – Dealer found no fault with any sensors and DPF seems to regen as it states 60k on idrive.
My questions, before I buy a reconditioned actuator (~£150)
-Has anyone experienced this fault and what did you do?
-Can anyone who has had this problem advise whether they were successful in swapping the actuator, has it continued to work well for a considerable time subsequently, were there any side effects of an actuator not paired to the turbo?
-Did their old actuator move (perhaps insufficiently) before exchange?
-Are there any further tests I can do on my actuator/turbo? (I will check play of turbo when I start removing parts)
Thanks
Paul
I have a 2006 E61 520d which had been driving completely normally until it suddenly experienced a significant power loss whilst driving on the motorway. Seemed to drive perfectly fine although limited to approx. 50mph as I cruised to the next services. AA guy could not find any faults (with diagnostic kit) other than turbo hose not pressurising when engine revved. A ride home on the AA truck and a trip to a BMW main dealer for diagnostics identified no significant electrical faults. Code 4530 (low boost) was main culprit. Verdict of dealer was turbo replacement required (£1900 fitted) as they diagnosed it down to a turbo mechanical failure.
Bearing in mind that car drives fine (albeit with permanently reduced power), makes no strange noises and does not produce any smoke, makes me think that the turbo unit is probably ok? Having looked through a few forums, it appears that the electronic actuators/variable guide vanes can be problematic, e.g actuator fail, arm sticking, soot in turbo guide vanes etc. I brought the car home last night and checked the actuator. It rotates during engine start and moves smaller increments when the engine is revved. I am not convinced that movement is completely smooth but it does look pretty good. Unfortunately I am trying to find someone at work with a 320/520d who will let me look at their actuator operation for a comparison…
I note that actuators are not available separately and various comments that they are paired to turbo’s by Garrett during manufacture? I also note at least one person claiming to have successfully swapped an actuator (with youtube footage) and have seen reconditioned actuators on ebay etc
Note – Dealer found no fault with any sensors and DPF seems to regen as it states 60k on idrive.
My questions, before I buy a reconditioned actuator (~£150)
-Has anyone experienced this fault and what did you do?
-Can anyone who has had this problem advise whether they were successful in swapping the actuator, has it continued to work well for a considerable time subsequently, were there any side effects of an actuator not paired to the turbo?
-Did their old actuator move (perhaps insufficiently) before exchange?
-Are there any further tests I can do on my actuator/turbo? (I will check play of turbo when I start removing parts)
Thanks
Paul
