[buly34]

A Little Background:



I bought my 335xi about a year ago and I have been having issues with low power/limp mode since day one. It also had a slight rattle, which I assumed was normal because it wasn't too noticeable. The most frustrating part is that every time the power issue happened it wouldn't give me a code. I replaced tons of parts with no luck, until 2 weeks ago. My car began to have an AWFUL rattle sound when the RPM's would drop after letting off the gas. I found that my bank 2 turbo waste gate was missing a small c-clip (see photo below) which was causing it to rattle. Upon further inspection I discover that the bank 1 turbo was also missing the same little clip. I contacted BMW and got the two clips for less than $5.



The Fix:

What you will need... (this whole job cost less than $5 )

- Ramps or Floor Jack
- 16mm Wrench/Ratchet
- Flash Light (narrow beam of light will be better)
- Replacement clips (either 6mm or 8mm depending on production time)
- Safety glasses
- Long screw driver or rod
- Some serious creativity and LOTS OF PATIENCE.

While replacing the c-clip on the bank 2 turbo is easy, bank 1 is nearly impossible, or so I was told.

For the bank 2 turbo, you can just reach down in the engine bay without removing anything and install the clip with your hand. Obviously make sure the engine has cooled down since you will be fiddling around next to the exhaust manifold, turbo, downpipe, etc.

Look down here.



You will be able to see if the clip is missing. (Mine is already installed in this photo.



Now to deal with the bank 1 turbo. I was told by the dealer, and read online, that it is impossible to get to this clip. I was prepared to remove my downpipes (at the very least) which is a process on the XI as most people probably already know. But this is where I discovered something...

First remove the oil pan shield (16mm Bolts)



Look up under the car in the corner I circled above.

At this point I would recommend putting on some safety glasses to avoid getting debris in your eyes.

Now get a flashlight and search for the waste gate rod, it might be hard to see at first.

General Area...

(I mis-labeled the first photo, front and back need to be switched.)



Closer view, sorry this is the best photo I could get. This is where its better to have a narrow beam of light so that you can see farther up near the waste gate.



You should be able to see if the clip is missing, if it is, then it's time to have some fun. You might be able to use a pair of long pliers with angled tips, but I didn't have any. So here is what I made...





Now you have to fish your tool up to the rod and install the clip. This took me over an hour, I had to keep re-bending my tool and making adjustments. But after many failed attempts I got the clip on!

After I got them both on and let the car warm up the rattle was gone! Also, my car pulled way harder and seemed to run way better too. I think the waste gate arm was sliding around and not opening the waste gate correctly. Therefore causing the car to over boost and go into a low power mode. So far the issue I was having is gone, and I will check back in after a week or so to verify this fixed my problem. I hope this helps some of you guys out. I think the bank 1 clip has been missing since I bought the car, and that loosing the second one just made it worse.

*ATTENTION!!! There is also a known issue that requires you to adjust the waste gate to seat properly. But for myself this was all I had to do to fix the rattle.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Good Luck!

[mojobmw_e90]

This only works for the rear. Alot of rattle turbos are usually the fronts.

[buly34]

For me replacing both clips fixed the rattle and low power issue

[pits200]

I was at the track one day and all of a sudden boost cut in half. Go to find out the c clip must have come off and then the arm also came off meaning I had no boost from the front turbo.

Seeing how you made that tool gave me flashbacks from 3 years ago and the ghetto tool I rigged. Took me about 4 hours of laying on my back. My rotator cuff was so messed up after that for about 3 months.

Glad you got everything figured out.

[JustDriveIt]

I'm also missing that clip....I didn't know anything was supposed to be there. No wonder my car sounds like I'm dragging empty soda cans under the car.

[jauloz]

part number?

[b1mmr]

Originally Posted by JustDriveIt

I'm also missing that clip....I didn't know anything was supposed to be there. No wonder my car sounds like I'm dragging empty soda cans under the car.

Lol

[buly34]

Originally Posted by jauloz

part number?

6mm clip part #11657606506 ($3.01/ea oddly more than dealer charged me)

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...657606506.html

8mm clip part #11657606507 ($0.84/ea)

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...657606507.html


I have a PRE-LCI 2007 335xi and it took the 6mm. If you check those links it shows which cars take which clips.

Hope this helps!

[MadeInPhilly]

wondering how the clips came off the stock turbos in the first place? must have rattled loose? no plan to adjust the rod? what if clips come off again?

[NotQuickEnough]

Wow good find. I wonder if the majority of wg rattle cases are because of this silly thing

[buly34]

Originally Posted by MadeInPhilly

wondering how the clips came off the stock turbos in the first place? must have rattled loose? no plan to adjust the rod? what if clips come off again?

Over time they just rust/wear off I believe, my car has 136k. They should last at least another 100k. As far as adjusting the rod, the bank 2 turbo can be done with a 10mm wrench and some patience. But the bank 1 turbo is too buried to be accessed by a wrench. Probably have to remove just about everything to access it.

Originally Posted by NotQuickEnough

Wow good find. I wonder if the majority of wg rattle cases are because of this silly thing

It can be the case, but sometimes the whole rod needs to be adjusted. Luckily for me I just needed to replace the clips.

[jauloz]

Originally Posted by buly34

6mm clip part #11657606506 ($3.01/ea oddly more than dealer charged me)

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...657606506.html

8mm clip part #11657606507 ($0.84/ea)

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...657606507.html


I have a PRE-LCI 2007 335xi and it took the 6mm. If you check those links it shows which cars take which clips.

Hope this helps!

Thank you Sir!

[buly34]

Originally Posted by jauloz

Thank you Sir!

No Problem. Also getting extras would be a good idea, considering they are only a few bucks. I dropped mine on bank 1 and it took me a solid 10 minutes to find it.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by buly34

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Uh...question. Is your real name MacGyver?

[buly34]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Uh...question. Is your real name MacGyver?

Haha. When you don't have the right tool, make it

[BruceJ]

Thanks for taking time to post this.

Bruce

[Two Snails]

I had to do this for the bank 2 turbo & prayed it worked. Bank 1 seemed impossible but if you can do it with the XI then anyone can do it.

[buly34]

Originally Posted by Two Snails

I had to do this for the bank 2 turbo & prayed it worked. Bank 1 seemed impossible but if you can do it with the XI then anyone can do it.

It is definitely tight but it's better than paying BMW $1500 (someone said thats the quote they got) to install these. They take off everything to get to it, but where is the fun in that

[=C=]

Looks like 335 xi is different to 335 i. Ive got an extra pipe on top where you circled in red for your second picture. The pipe has a bad pinch from both sides. 1 side manifold and other side suspension rod.

[buly34]

Update: Car hasn't gone into limp/reduced power mode yet, my MPG is slowly going up too. Have to say I wish I figured this out sooner, car pulls so hard now and acceleration is much smoother overall.

[peterparker]

Why are there 2 sizes for the clips? Which one did you get? buly34

[N54Twin]

Going to work soon.