[blackaspen]

Hey all -- longtime lurker-- after much searching, I figured I'd just post a video and get some thoughts on my current issue.

I installed the Cobb Sport Map(since removed) last week and on my first drive, was getting less and less boost. Initially around 12, but when I got to where I was going (20 minutes away), it wouldn't hold much more than 2 psi. Same sort of thing when it was cold again.

I checked connections, replaced the boost solenoid, and replaced the charge pipe, and it's gotten worse.

This video is on a cold startup right after I finished putting the charge pipe in:

And another startup while it was still a bit cold:

It's more-or-less the same sound once the car gets warmer. I can get a video of that driving around if that's helpful.

The car still isn't really producing any boost (surprise surprise!). This is my first turbocharged engine, so hopefully some of you have some better ears and advice.

I've also got the codes: P112F, P28A0, and P2C57, all essentially 'boost below expected' from what I understand and not too useful. It's a 2011 with 64k on it. Maybe I've still got a leak though? I'm planning to replace the intercooler and the elbow pipe this weekend...

Thanks!

UPDATE:
Another data point, since I haven't really been driving the car much. When it's gotten a bit warmer the sound has gone away, but still little to no boost.

[blackaspen]

Bumping this with some more developments to see if anyone's got some thoughts!

I've replaced all of the stock piping with an ER intercooler -- no cigar. I also did a boost test and got nothing, but wasn't able to figure out where it was leaking from.

I did take it to a shop and they smoke tested it and "found some smoke near the turbo". Their next step was to replace the diverter valve.

While taking the car apart to do that, there was a good deal of oil on the turbo-side charge pipe. Maybe a tenth or so of a quart? I'd only driven the car for 100 miles to and from the shop -- this is way more oil than was in the stock intercooler with much more than 100 miles on it.

There's also a tiny, tiny bit of oil on the bottom of the turbo housing.

Would the turbo not spooling cause additional oil in the intake system?

This is all sounding to me like a bad turbo...

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by blackaspen

Bumping this with some more developments to see if anyone's got some thoughts!

I've replaced all of the stock piping with an ER intercooler -- no cigar. I also did a boost test and got nothing, but wasn't able to figure out where it was leaking from.

I did take it to a shop and they smoke tested it and "found some smoke near the turbo". Their next step was to replace the diverter valve.

While taking the car apart to do that, there was a good deal of oil on the turbo-side charge pipe. Maybe a tenth or so of a quart? I'd only driven the car for 100 miles to and from the shop -- this is way more oil than was in the stock intercooler with much more than 100 miles on it.

There's also a tiny, tiny bit of oil on the bottom of the turbo housing.

Would the turbo not spooling cause additional oil in the intake system?

This is all sounding to me like a bad turbo...

are you getting any smoke from exhaust pipe ? white or blue ?

[Pladi]

At this point i would be removing the turbo and inspecting it very well... I would also look into getting the MHD plotting/diagnostics. Its a phenomenal tool. When you graph everything things are more clear, and you can also read all shadow codes that are logged.. it tells you a little history of the car and how it started to throw codes.. you can read back

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Yeh. Your turbo might be donezo unfortunately. Time for an upgrade.

[blackaspen]

No smoke, at least that I noticed. When I first started having boost issues, it was night though.

Yeah, I grabbed some graphs and poked at them with a friend -- MAF requested and actual MAF being very off also supports the dead turbo theory.

I ordered the Pure Stage 1 -- now I just have to wait for the thing, then I'll start tearing the old one out.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by blackaspen

No smoke, at least that I noticed. When I first started having boost issues, it was night though.

Yeah, I grabbed some graphs and poked at them with a friend -- MAF requested and actual MAF being very off also supports the dead turbo theory.

I ordered the Pure Stage 1 -- now I just have to wait for the thing, then I'll start tearing the old one out.

cool stuff, curious to know the outcome. Any plans on tuning the new turbo ?


are their turbos just re manufactured or different ? KKK b03 ?

[blackaspen]

Circling back around here -- got the turbo out yesterday and it's pretty done. Small hairline cracks, some chunks off of it, some shaft play, etc... Haven't gotten to put the new one in yet since all of the oil/coolant lines are pretty much stuck on and I had to order new ones.

[9krpmrx8]

Dang, N55 Turbo failures are pretty rare and the only other one I have seen locally was a guy with an aftermarket intake and a compressor wheel that looked like it ate a hundred pounds of sand.

[blackaspen]

Yeah... 64k miles, I'm pretty surprised... The car's been well taken care of it's whole life, but it's also been driven.

It's amusing since I deliberately looked for an N55 because I didn't want to be plagued by the typical N54 problem and what I felt was a higher potential for turbo failure. So it goes.

[Pladi]

thanks for the pictures.. Are you the only owner ? What oil do you use ? How often do you replace it ?

[blackaspen]

I'm the third. It's had oil changes at the dealer roughly every 3-7k for it's entire life with BMW Twin Power.

[Pladi]

very interesting. Could have just been a bad turbo from manufacturing. ow u get a better one so all good