Broken Air Intake N20

[Deepseaskateboard]

I have had a delightful issue occur.
The car in question is a Z4 20i with the N20.

The turbo air inlet pipe has broken.
Apparently it’s a common issue on N20s with the plastic part subjected to multiple heat cycles.

Part number
13717605638

So, my questions are as follows:

Has this happened to anyone on here?

If so, what was the repair cost?

It doesn't look too difficult to replace, apart from the bolt holding the pipe to the turbo.
Bearing in mind I am a mechanical novice.

There are many different supplier for part number:
13717605638

What is a good one? Is the OEM that good if they break? Is there a better solution anyone can recommend?

Looking for your collective wisdom.
Thanks

 

[matsmith749]

Broken after ~10 years isn't too bad - personally I would go OEM.

If you can expect another 10 years out of it, why pay more?

 

[B21]

It’s unusual on E89 N20s unless running ridiculous boost levels…

I’d go OE

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

It’s unusual on E89 N20s unless running ridiculous boost levels…

I’d go OE

Car is unmodified.
But a fair point.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Right.

I have removed the turbo inlet.

I was inspired by a youtube video of a guy doing it on a 3 series in the rain on his drive.

Z has more space and it wasn't raining. So how hard could it be.

I would actually throw this into the preventative maintenance category on the Z.

Incredibly easy to remove.

I have yet to order the new part, but will get it this week.

You will need:
A flat head screwdriver to remove the air inlet pipe
A 1/4" drive socket wrench with a long extension bar. (I used two extensions)
A 10mm nut socket to remove the broken part of the turbo inlet.

Some people said removing the part inside the turbo is difficult, but it came straight out with my fingers.

The only pain point was removing all the clips hoses and sensors. But it wasn't too hard.

All in all, job took less than an hour. If I had the part now I could have put it back together in about an hour (total removal and refit)

I have no mechanical experience. I have some socket tools tho.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

The refit:

Ok, so putting this back in wasn't fun.

I can add some useful pointers for anyone who might undertake this job in future.

I ordered a genuine OEM part from bmw.
The part feels more robust than the -03 variant. The latest version is -04
The plastic feels different.
There are lots of cheap suppliers of this part, but the -04 oem version seems decent.

The intake does include the O-ring needed to seat it into the turbo.

There are things it does not come with, like this oval washer. (See images)
Be sure to remove this prior to fitting. I used a 10mm punch to get it out, and into the new part.

Also the jubilee clip will need transferring as well as a little hose clip.

Keep the 10mm nut too.

Getting the new part into the turbo housing is tough. I used some wd40 silicon spray to help it in. Lining up the pin through the hole is difficult, but best done by aligning all the other sensors and connectors first. Don’t connect them until the nut is back on.

To get the nut on, was a bit of a task. I had to make a flexi tool out of all the bits I have.
This was pretty much essential, as the gaps are tight with no straight lines. If you have access to a lift, then this might be easier from below.

It’s crucial not to drop the nut, if you are a mortal with no lift.
I got it on to the thread with my fingers and tightened it with my fingers. I then tightened it with the flexi tool.

Once done, I put all the sensors and hoses back, and cleared the codes with an obd2 scanner.

Overall, not the worst job.
Flexi tool was very important.

I have no major experience doing this stuff.
I hope this helps someone!

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

One more thing: as soon as I fitted the new part and fired it up, the EML went off.
The code was still stored and I cleared it.

 

[B21]

Great write up..I remember it being a bit of a fiddle…the tuning company I used didn’t properly fit mine so had to do it myself..

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Great write up..I remember it being a bit of a fiddle…the tuning company I used didn’t properly fit mine so had to do it myself..

Yeah, it’s hard to fit! But "do-able" with lots of patience.

I can see why a company would have rushed it.
It’s probably worth checking and replacing these. I’m glad it’s done now.