Dealership refusing to fix wastegate actuator arms?

rcracer_tx · 10-26-2009, 06:57 PM

Hey guys,

I need some input on how to get BMW to fix these on my car.

Some Background info:

-March/May 08 build 135i
-14,8xx miles
-already had previously had the dreaded lag inducing 29.2 wastegate fix

Before I went to the mealier, I got underneath the car and checked the wastegate actuator assembly for play, and there is almost an 1/8 inch of play from side to side on the arm (similar to this thread Here). I know that replacing this means the turbos which cost BMW alot of $$$.

I was very specific and told them that it was a physical hardware problem, and regardless of whether a laggier wastegate fix would remove the rattle, it does not change that there is a hardware problem with the actuator arm.

Well I got a call today from my dealer a day after saying that the problem was fixed by a software update in accordance with BMW's SIB. Here is the SIB on the wastegate rattle fix:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B111307g.htm

I need some advice on how to get the hardware fixed on this before calling the service manager back tomorrow.It's obvious that BMW as a company is trying to save repair cost for there screwup by a half-assed software fix. Anyone had any similar issues to this, or have any advice? I would also like to know if there is any way to get to the factory tolerance specs on this actuator assembly on the turbos.

jhershorin · 10-27-2009, 07:32 AM

I am close to going in to my dealer as well. I purchased the car CPO like Oct 2nd and this has been there since I brought it home. I thought it was just an exhaust rattle since I am new to the boards and hadn't read up on it. I threw it on my lift and sure enough its a wastegate chatter for me. Since I just purchased the vehicle and everything should have been made current during the inspection and work done on a BMW by the service dept where I bought the car - HOPEFULLY BMW will replace my turbos so I don't have that obnoxious rattle.

roadkillrob · 10-27-2009, 07:41 AM

Not much you can do if the software made the rattle go away, you need it to rattle again after the software update, then they have to replace the hardware.

David1 · 10-27-2009, 11:22 AM

Well all of the actuators make some noise and have play when the car is not running, that's normal. Even my 09 has some actuator noise from day 1. If they did a software update recently, you do not have 29.2 since that was a year ago. If you had this done a while back, the dealer would have told you that you had a choice of udates, one with some noise and the other with a different lag feel and maybe no noise. Either way, there is no perfect solution.

undecided · 10-27-2009, 11:50 AM

If the wastegate is accessible couldn't BMW add some non-metalic material to pad the wastegate so it doesn't rattle?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 10-27-2009, 11:53 AM

Thats their procedure.. ITs stupid but that the instruction they HAVE to follow from BMW. Same thing happened to me. They did the software update but luckily the noise was still there so they replaced the turbos and assemblies.

Maybe you can call BMW and ask for a field rep to come see the car. In the end BMW has to approve the replacement as its out of the dealerships hands.

Mike

packinDSS · 10-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Are the replacements better/modified/improved so this doesn't happen again in 20k miles?

Mine do this as well on cold start up and sometimes while sitting at light with foot on brake

ontopofm · 10-27-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Thats their procedure.. ITs stupid but that the instruction they HAVE to follow from BMW. Same thing happened to me. They did the software update but luckily the noise was still there so they replaced the turbos and assemblies.

Maybe you can call BMW and ask for a field rep to come see the car. In the end BMW has to approve the replacement as its out of the dealerships hands.

Mike

my dealer just replaced the actuators w/o updating the software

rcracer_tx · 10-27-2009, 12:55 PM

Yeah, I think the best way might be to ask them to check the tolerances on the actual wastegate at this point... Heres the repair they did as well as the software.

1. COMPLAINT : CUSTOMER REPORTS-WASTE GATES ARE RATTLING ON THE TURBO.

2. CAUSE : VACUUM SUPPLY HOSES TO WASTE GATES RESTRICTED.

3. CORRECTION: REROUTED VACUUM HOSE TO WASTE GATES PER SIB 111407. DIAGCODE | 1166027600.

It rattled pretty badly at startup before this fix(embarrassingly loud when people are around), and I'm out of town until friday. I don't know how to address this one. Will BMW refuse to fix this until the wastegate actuator arms are so messed up that they get stuck and I start throwing 30ff under boost codes?

rcracer_tx · 10-27-2009, 12:56 PM

Actually, does anyone have access to that SIB as well? It woud be greatly appreciated.

David1 · 10-27-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packinDSS

Are the replacements better/modified/improved so this doesn't happen again in 20k miles?

Mine do this as well on cold start up and sometimes while sitting at light with foot on brake

Nope. I noticed the rattle upon startup (I have a May 09 build car) with 40 miles on the car. rattle at startup is normal. My 07 did the same.

RBBMWE46M3 · 10-27-2009, 01:21 PM

"we could not replicate the problem...there is nothing wrong with your car" Now go home, shut up, and dont call us again"
Im on my third HPFP

rcracer_tx · 10-28-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBBMWE46M3

"we could not replicate the problem...there is nothing wrong with your car" Now go home, shut up, and dont call us again"
Im on my third HPFP

Haha, after a couple conversations the master tech at the dealership, they have agreed to check the play on the actuator arms.

10-26-2009, 06:57 PM	#1
rcracer_tx Banned 55 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Dealership refusing to fix wastegate actuator arms? Hey guys, I need some input on how to get BMW to fix these on my car. Some Background info: -March/May 08 build 135i -14,8xx miles -already had previously had the dreaded lag inducing 29.2 wastegate fix Before I went to the mealier, I got underneath the car and checked the wastegate actuator assembly for play, and there is almost an 1/8 inch of play from side to side on the arm (similar to this thread Here). I know that replacing this means the turbos which cost BMW alot of $$$. I was very specific and told them that it was a physical hardware problem, and regardless of whether a laggier wastegate fix would remove the rattle, it does not change that there is a hardware problem with the actuator arm. Well I got a call today from my dealer a day after saying that the problem was fixed by a software update in accordance with BMW's SIB. Here is the SIB on the wastegate rattle fix: http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B111307g.htm I need some advice on how to get the hardware fixed on this before calling the service manager back tomorrow.It's obvious that BMW as a company is trying to save repair cost for there screwup by a half-assed software fix. Anyone had any similar issues to this, or have any advice? I would also like to know if there is any way to get to the factory tolerance specs on this actuator assembly on the turbos. Last edited by rcracer_tx; 10-26-2009 at 08:10 PM..
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10-27-2009, 07:32 AM	#2
jhershorin Banned 1 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NoVa iTrader: (0)	I am close to going in to my dealer as well. I purchased the car CPO like Oct 2nd and this has been there since I brought it home. I thought it was just an exhaust rattle since I am new to the boards and hadn't read up on it. I threw it on my lift and sure enough its a wastegate chatter for me. Since I just purchased the vehicle and everything should have been made current during the inspection and work done on a BMW by the service dept where I bought the car - HOPEFULLY BMW will replace my turbos so I don't have that obnoxious rattle.
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10-27-2009, 07:41 AM	#3
roadkillrob Major General 866 Rep 5,452 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Not much you can do if the software made the rattle go away, you need it to rattle again after the software update, then they have to replace the hardware. __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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10-27-2009, 11:22 AM	#4
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,952 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Well all of the actuators make some noise and have play when the car is not running, that's normal. Even my 09 has some actuator noise from day 1. If they did a software update recently, you do not have 29.2 since that was a year ago. If you had this done a while back, the dealer would have told you that you had a choice of udates, one with some noise and the other with a different lag feel and maybe no noise. Either way, there is no perfect solution. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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10-27-2009, 11:50 AM	#5
undecided Captain 83 Rep 985 Posts Drives: 08 M5 Sapphire Black Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335xi SOLD!!!! ... [0.00] 2008 M5 [0.00]	Hmm, wouldn't a better (and cheaper) fix be to add some padding? If the wastegate is accessible couldn't BMW add some non-metalic material to pad the wastegate so it doesn't rattle?
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10-27-2009, 11:53 AM	#6
Mike@N54Tuning.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 4918 Rep 115,980 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N54tuning.com iTrader: (89)	Thats their procedure.. ITs stupid but that the instruction they HAVE to follow from BMW. Same thing happened to me. They did the software update but luckily the noise was still there so they replaced the turbos and assemblies. Maybe you can call BMW and ask for a field rep to come see the car. In the end BMW has to approve the replacement as its out of the dealerships hands. Mike
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10-27-2009, 12:38 PM	#7
packinDSS Lead Foot 18 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (1)	Are the replacements better/modified/improved so this doesn't happen again in 20k miles? Mine do this as well on cold start up and sometimes while sitting at light with foot on brake
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10-27-2009, 12:55 PM	#9
rcracer_tx Banned 55 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I think the best way might be to ask them to check the tolerances on the actual wastegate at this point... Heres the repair they did as well as the software. 1. COMPLAINT : CUSTOMER REPORTS-WASTE GATES ARE RATTLING ON THE TURBO. 2. CAUSE : VACUUM SUPPLY HOSES TO WASTE GATES RESTRICTED. 3. CORRECTION: REROUTED VACUUM HOSE TO WASTE GATES PER SIB 111407. DIAGCODE \| 1166027600. It rattled pretty badly at startup before this fix(embarrassingly loud when people are around), and I'm out of town until friday. I don't know how to address this one. Will BMW refuse to fix this until the wastegate actuator arms are so messed up that they get stuck and I start throwing 30ff under boost codes?
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10-27-2009, 12:56 PM	#10
rcracer_tx Banned 55 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Actually, does anyone have access to that SIB as well? It woud be greatly appreciated.
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10-27-2009, 01:21 PM	#12
RBBMWE46M3 blaupunkt 56 Rep 525 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi 6spman montego Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: THE REGION iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 x5 [0.00] 1972 R75/5 [0.00] 2008 335xi [0.00]	"we could not replicate the problem...there is nothing wrong with your car" Now go home, shut up, and dont call us again" Im on my third HPFP __________________ BMW ENGINEERS
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