[haaken675]

hey everyone, i Just finished swapping in new turbos, new water and oil lines, oil pan gasket, and a ton of other maintenance stuff. Since i can never catch a break, I am apparently leaking from what i believe is an oil feed line since it only happens when the car is running.

I don't believe it is the returns as I could get my head up near enough and it didn't seem like it was the returns. Has anyone ever tried removing/tightening the feed lines with the subframe in place? I removed and reinstalled with the subframe out obviously. Is it possible to reach them with the subframe still in place? If i have to drop it again i might just burn the fucking car to the ground...This car has been nothing but problems since i bought it and never having a single fun time with it im about over it.

[Tyc0]

Man do I feel bad for you. You might be able to reach them from the top if you remove the boost solenoid tray..if you have access to a lift just man up and drop it. Only takes about an hour once you have done it already..best of luck.

[IllSic_Design]

I was just able to replace my turbo coolant feed lines with only removing the down pipes, and the oil feeds are right above the coolant feeds so you should be able to remove them.

[_N54]

I did just relocated inlets over the weekend and with my down-pipes off I was able to reach around the turbo area so it's possible man you just gotta have some patience.

[haaken675]

Well, that sucks...

I’m guessing I probably will need new downpipe gaskets now...that will literally be 2 sets in less then 100 miles. Iv had a LOT of performance cars, but this has literally been the most aggravating to work on out of 20+ vehicles. My m52 swapped, turbo e30 that Iv built from the ground up has been less of a hassle to work on...

[IllSic_Design]

I use all down pipe gaskets multiple times with no issues/leaks

[haaken675]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

I use all down pipe gaskets multiple times with no issues/leaks

Taking the downpipes off of the turbos is such a bitch that I don’t think it’s worth risking it...then again, that’s why I bought all new oil and water lines at a high cost and look where I’m at still.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by haaken675

Taking the downpipes off of the turbos is such a bitch that I don’t think it’s worth risking it...then again, that’s why I bought all new oil and water lines at a high cost and look where I’m at still.

It is?

Took it off just to check if I had shaft play in my turbskies, I found it oddly easy and I daily mine in the winter here. It was last touched about 2 years ago before that.

[relative4]

I made the same mistake of buying new lines. Turns out they came with crappy O-rings. Less than a year later, they were leaking. When I got them out, they were rock hard.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

I use all down pipe gaskets multiple times with no issues/leaks

That's because you know what your doing, unfortunately a lot of DIY'ers don't, then they come back saying n54 is crap, got x, y, z issues after botched job.

Not being funny but this is why I don't DIY when I'm not 100% sure of what I'm doing. Rather pay a garage and get it done properly.

[haaken675]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

It is?

Took it off just to check if I had shaft play in my turbskies, I found it oddly easy and I daily mine in the winter here. It was last touched about 2 years ago before that.

I guess you can come crawl under my car without a lift then...

[mweisdorfer]

You probably need to drop the subframe, remove the engine mount & water pump etc to get to it.

I'm guessing you pinched the gasket. Did you dip the gasket in fresh engine oil prior to install? Also, torque spec is 8nm to the turbo & 9nm to the block. You should have a 1/4 drive torque wrench to do that.

This really sucks; I feel for you.

It's ALWAYS a good idea to buy OEM gaskets on the N54.

[haaken675]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

You probably need to drop the subframe, remove the engine mount & water pump etc to get to it.

I'm guessing you pinched the gasket. Did you dip the gasket in fresh engine oil prior to install? Also, torque spec is 8nm to the turbo & 9nm to the block. You should have a 1/4 drive torque wrench to do that.

This really sucks; I feel for you.

It's ALWAYS a good idea to buy OEM gaskets on the N54.

Pre lubed all o rings on new OEM lines. Was super careful with all of the because I didn't want this exact problem...Used a 1/4 torque wrench that I trust.

I'm thinking more and more that its the feed from the block where the two feed lines meet. I wasn't necessarily thrilled with how they went together. I'm going to start there and hoping I can get to it without taking the engine mount off. Not sure if it's possible. Would be nice if there was a way to actually check everything without having to put the whole car back together. I REALLY don't like the idea of starting the motor while hanging from an engine support bar.

Who would have thought my motor swapped turbo e30 was easier to work on.

[neilvan]

Are you rwd or awd?

I've replaced N54 turbos a few times (rwd) and subframe has been left in place each time. Awd I don't think you have that choice

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by neilvan

Are you rwd or awd?

I've replaced N54 turbos a few times (rwd) and subframe has been left in place each time. Awd I don't think you have that choice

How much of a PITA is it to keep subframe? I also don't want to drop subframe when I do mine simply because the BMW workshop doesn't say that you need to, they just say to use a engine bar and remove the right engine mount arm. But I understand removing it can help a lot.

So in your case, was it still fairly doable with subframe in place or if you would do it again, would it be with the subframe removed?

[neilvan]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

How much of a PITA is it to keep subframe? I also don't want to drop subframe when I do mine simply because the BMW workshop doesn't say that you need to, they just say to use a engine bar and remove the right engine mount arm. But I understand removing it can help a lot.

So in your case, was it still fairly doable with subframe in place or if you would do it again, would it be with the subframe removed?

Honestly I found changing out the turbos really easy(I do all my own work and built many cars over the years so I do get I'm on 1 end of the spectrum)

Ya I just remove the downpipes, IC, swaybar and waterpump; Put a jackstand under the oil pan(with wood between) and voila. Reach 1 arm around each side of the subframe and there is tons of room.

Funny enough I'm doing 2 more this winter (uninstalling my RB stocks to put on my fathers and put some RB ones onto mine).

[haaken675]

I hadn't though about using the support bar and only removing the engine mount arm..That might be the play. The front turbo you can gain access to the oil line from the wheel well, although its tight seeing what you are doing with the strut in place. The rear, not sure on that one.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by neilvan

Honestly I found changing out the turbos really easy(I do all my own work and built many cars over the years so I do get I'm on 1 end of the spectrum)

Ya I just remove the downpipes, IC, swaybar and waterpump; Put a jackstand under the oil pan(with wood between) and voila. Reach 1 arm around each side of the subframe and there is tons of room.

Funny enough I'm doing 2 more this winter (uninstalling my RB stocks to put on my fathers and put some RB ones onto mine).

Ok nice, because sometimes the BMW workshop prioritize more time than ease of work so I figured maybe it would be a huge pita but hey that's good to hear. I'll give it a shot with the subframe in place when time comes.

[neilvan]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok nice, because sometimes the BMW workshop prioritize more time than ease of work so I figured maybe it would be a huge pita but hey that's good to hear. I'll give it a shot with the subframe in place when time comes.

Even though a hoist would be lovely(especially with my height) This is all don't on jack stands in the garage. If you are mechanically capable then this is no problem.

X-drive I have no experience but I've heard its more of a hassle

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

How much of a PITA is it to keep subframe? I also don't want to drop subframe when I do mine simply because the BMW workshop doesn't say that you need to, they just say to use a engine bar and remove the right engine mount arm. But I understand removing it can help a lot.

So in your case, was it still fairly doable with subframe in place or if you would do it again, would it be with the subframe removed?

I just did my turbos. I'd say that it would be quite the PITA to take out & install new turbos with the subframe in your way.

Just my two cents

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I just did my turbos. I'd say that it would be quite the PITA to take out & install new turbos with the subframe in your way.

Just my two cents

I did turbos with subframe in place, only removed motor mount. It was not bad at all, it would definitely be easier with the subframe removed, but it's a LOT more work to remove the subframe than "just 4 more bolts", I know as I just recently had the whole subframe off a few weeks ago. When I do turbos again I'm going to leave the subframe like I did before.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

I did turbos with subframe in place, only removed motor mount. It was not bad at all, it would definitely be easier with the subframe removed, but it's a LOT more work to remove the subframe than "just 4 more bolts", I know as I just recently had the whole subframe off a few weeks ago. When I do turbos again I'm going to leave the subframe like I did before.

Ya, it's a lot more than 4 bolts. I agree. For me, my original turbos were there for 178,000 miles. The oil & coolant lines did not exactly come out with just some wiggling. I even had to clean up some threads for the exhaust manifold bolts with a tap (scary).

All the small bolts had some level of build up on them, so I spent a lot of time with a SS wire wheel on my drill cleaning up all the rust etc., through out the project; that's a lot of bolts & nuts!

That's one of the idiosyncrasies you have to do when you live in the "rust belt" of the country.

Needless to say, I just love all the videos you see on YouTube where a guy clearly lives in the southern part of the country and everything comes off & goes on so cleanly and effortlessly.