can any 1 help
i thought that the rattle i was getting was a loose heat sheild on the exhaust but my mec tells me its one of the turbo's
and it would be wiser to replace the 2 of them
im told it's quite a common problem
please advise
Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
twin turbo
- RustyZ4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3622
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:23 pm
- Location: Maidstone, Kent
twin turbo
I didn't think it was that common, unless of course you have done mega miles and really pushed it, personally I would get a second opinion
Z4 Mineral Grey, 28i MSport Auto, lots of goodies
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
- Silverzedtom
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1478
- Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:19 pm
- Location: East Sussex
twin turbo
100% get a second opinion. I’m not sure many turbo failures have been noted on here
E85 2.5si
F55 Cooper S
F55 Cooper S
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
twin turbo
I’ve heard of earlier 35i/35is cars suffering from wastgate rattle, I don’t think it affected the performance/function of the turbo but was just an annoying sound
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26532
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
twin turbo
I have never had a twin turbo. However I have had three fail on my previous fiat. Never heard any kind of rattle. The things spin at such high speed they go bang before there go rattle. Plus that is generally accompanied by oily smoke out of the exhaust. Agree that you should get a second opinion.
- R.E92
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am
twin turbo
Very common issue on all N54 engined cars. Infact so common I'd say it's just normal!
The wastegates start to rattle from 40k onwards. BMW made the problem less obvious with a software mod back in 2008 but you still hear it when in enclosed areas like garages and multi-storey car parks.
The rattling can be caused by leaking vacuum pipes so my first action would be to replace all of them. Just google "n54 replace vacuum lines DIY" and follow those threads, it's a 1 hour DIY at most.
You could also try doing the "Mr.5" fix. Google "Mr.5's wastegate rattle fix" and follow the instructions in that thread.
If neither things help then you can refurb the turbos with some new wastegates or just put some new pure turbos and enjoy some extra power
The wastegates start to rattle from 40k onwards. BMW made the problem less obvious with a software mod back in 2008 but you still hear it when in enclosed areas like garages and multi-storey car parks.
The rattling can be caused by leaking vacuum pipes so my first action would be to replace all of them. Just google "n54 replace vacuum lines DIY" and follow those threads, it's a 1 hour DIY at most.
You could also try doing the "Mr.5" fix. Google "Mr.5's wastegate rattle fix" and follow the instructions in that thread.
If neither things help then you can refurb the turbos with some new wastegates or just put some new pure turbos and enjoy some extra power
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 8202
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:52 pm
twin turbo
Mine has done this since new. Only when cold.
Had it back many times and the software update does help reduce the noise at the expense of notable turbo lag. (I didn’t realise how much lag until I coded my engine to remove it recently)
Had it back many times and the software update does help reduce the noise at the expense of notable turbo lag. (I didn’t realise how much lag until I coded my engine to remove it recently)
-
- Member
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:42 am
- Location: Wokingham
twin turbo
Mine sometimes has a rattle like that but it’s the exhaust flap. Try disconnecting the vacuum tube from the actuator and see if the noise goes away.
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire
- GuidoK
- Lifer
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:37 am
- Location: all over the place
twin turbo
The classic 'wastegate rattle' on the n54 turbo's is a clearance matter on the guide bushings of the wastegate pins (so the bushings that go into the turbo housing where through the wastegate actuator rod goes).
The wastegate rattle can cause the wastegate to seal imporpely, causing loss of power, bad gas mileage and engine codes.
There are kits for this to repair this but fitting this is definately a specialist job (specialist as in turbo specialist, not a normal auto mechanic).
The bushing has to be drilled and hammered out an a new one has to be pressed in (including fitting new valve, lever etc). So thats quite a job. (just getting the turbo's out is quite a job, modifying even more, but it beats having to buy £3000 in bmw parts)
Repair kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vargas-turb ... 4-wf2~vtt/
More on the rattle and worn bushings:
So I hope you dont have this.
The wastegate rattle can cause the wastegate to seal imporpely, causing loss of power, bad gas mileage and engine codes.
There are kits for this to repair this but fitting this is definately a specialist job (specialist as in turbo specialist, not a normal auto mechanic).
The bushing has to be drilled and hammered out an a new one has to be pressed in (including fitting new valve, lever etc). So thats quite a job. (just getting the turbo's out is quite a job, modifying even more, but it beats having to buy £3000 in bmw parts)
Repair kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vargas-turb ... 4-wf2~vtt/
More on the rattle and worn bushings:
So I hope you dont have this.
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch