[ExclusiveAuto]

Please limit responses to people who actually have firsthand knowledge of this repair.

I have a 2013 BMW x3 28i with a N20 (4cyl turbo). It is plagued with flapper shaft wear as most of the n54 cars have experienced. The only difference I see between the n54 setup and the n20 is that the n54 is 3cyl and the n20 setup is 4cyl. I dont know if they are the same size turbo, but my main question is if the turbo lab, (or other brand), flapper repair for a n54 will fit the diameter of the n20. I have called turbo lab, but they have zero experience with n20 and will not tell me if the flapper repair kit for the n54 will fit N20. I kind of dont want to waste time and experiment if someone already knows that it will not work.

I have a spare turbo/manifold unit that I bought to swap in for this particular car, so I do have the ability to measure anything that would give me information/insight into if the n54 repair kit would fit, if anyone knows the dimensions.

BTW, my turbo failed before 60K miles on this car... I think its ridiculous...

Thank you!
-Jon

[IllSic_Design]

Why not measure the turbo you have, wastegate shaft area, and then call turbo lab and ask if the measurements match up to the n54 stuff. I seriously doubt anyone on here will know if the n54 turbo wastegate parts are comparable/compatible to the n20 stuff.

[ExclusiveAuto]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Why not measure the turbo you have, wastegate shaft area, and then call turbo lab and ask if the measurements match up to the n54 stuff. I seriously doubt anyone on here will know if the n54 turbo wastegate parts are comparable/compatible to the n20 stuff.

Yeah, I have done that. THey dont pick up the phone, or allow voicemail, so I emailed them. no response as of yet.

[IllSic_Design]

Ok, good luck. Maybe also try emailing RB turbos, he is pretty good at answering questions, maybe he can help out since he has those parts on hand(but doesn't sell them separately I don't think)

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Why not measure the turbo you have, wastegate shaft area, and then call turbo lab and ask if the measurements match up to the n54 stuff. I seriously doubt anyone on here will know if the n54 turbo wastegate parts are comparable/compatible to the n20 stuff.

May be he doesnt have the n20 turbo in his hand.

If he did, it be so easy to buy the inexpensive kit and check for yourself?

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

May be he doesnt have the n20 turbo in his hand.

If he did, it be so easy to buy the inexpensive kit and check for yourself?

is that directed at me? If so maybe you should learn some reading comprehension, since he stated he has an extra turbo/manifold?

[Sgop335]

O yes reading comprehension big words for you, but in this case i missed that sorry lol
Well in that case op you can try an inexpensive kit

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

O yes reading comprehension big words for you, but in this case i missed that sorry lol
Well in that case op you can try an inexpensive kit

Lol what a tool. Still trying to slight me even though you were wrong

[Sgop335]

Sleight or slight? Lol

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Sleight or slight? Lol

slight
/slīt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
1.
small in degree; inconsiderable.
"a slight increase"
Similar:
small
modest
little
tiny
minute
inappreciable
imperceptible
infinitesimal
hardly worth mentioning
negligible
inconsiderable
insignificant
minimal
marginal
remote
scant
slim
outside
faint
vague
subtle
gentle
minuscule
exiguous
Opposite:
big
considerable
2.
(of a person or their build) not sturdy and strongly built.
"she was slight and delicate-looking"
Similar:
slim
slender
slightly built
petite
diminutive
small
delicate
dainty
small-boned
elfin
thin
skinny
size-zero
spare
puny
undersized
frail
weak
wee
pint-sized
pocket-size
gracile
attenuate
Opposite:
sturdy
burly
muscular
verb
1.
insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention.
"he was careful not to slight a guest"
Similar:
insult
snub
rebuff
repulse
spurn
treat disrespectfully
give someone the cold shoulder
cold-shoulder
brush off
turn one's back on
keep at arm's length
disregard
ignore
cut (dead)
neglect
take no notice of
disdain
scorn
give someone the brush-off
freeze out
stiff-arm
knock back
give someone the go-by
misprize
scout
insulting
disparaging
belittling
derogatory
disrespectful
denigratory
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pejorative
abusive
offensive
defamatory
slanderous
libelous
scurrilous
disdainful
scornful
contemptuous
bitchy
contumelious
Opposite:
respect
welcome
complimentary
2.
ARCHAIC
raze or destroy (a fortification).


slight fool

[Sgop335]

So wise

[ExclusiveAuto]

oh boy.. dont get into an internet argument over this guys. the cheapest n54 "kit" i found is $107 for a pair. Yes, I can try it myself - and will likely have to go that route. Looks like, from first glance and measurement on my spare turbo, i dont think the n54 kit has the same dimensions. Was just hoping that someone had experience since the n20 is a very common motor in the lineup for 7 years now, and cant imagine that everyone with an n20 is replacing the entire turbo unit when it can be fixed exactly like these n54 units.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by ExclusiveAuto

oh boy.. dont get into an internet argument over this guys. the cheapest n54 "kit" i found is $107 for a pair. Yes, I can try it myself - and will likely have to go that route. Looks like, from first glance and measurement on my spare turbo, i dont think the n54 kit has the same dimensions. Was just hoping that someone had experience since the n20 is a very common motor in the lineup for 7 years now, and cant imagine that everyone with an n20 is replacing the entire turbo unit when it can be fixed exactly like these n54 units.

On a quick look may be just to check with not much regard to quality there seems to be $38 kits on ebay.

[Boosted12a]

Are there any machine shops near you? May be worth it to ask them if they could just machine a new bushing for the wg valve arm. If the valve is fubar too it would be easy to have them machine a larger one down to fit. While you are at it I would hog out the wg hole in the turbine housing and smooth things a bit. I don't get why the BMW twerbos get this rattle. I've had plenty of turbo with over 200k on em and never had a rattle problem. May be cause to the bass ackwads design.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by ExclusiveAuto

Yeah, I have done that. THey dont pick up the phone, or allow voicemail, so I emailed them. no response as of yet.

COVID 19?

They're in Virginia, yes?

[ExclusiveAuto]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

On a quick look may be just to check with not much regard to quality there seems to be $38 kits on ebay.

Thank you. Will look into that. thanks Update: Purchased the $38 kit. Will let you guys know.

Originally Posted by Boosted12a

Are there any machine shops near you? May be worth it to ask them if they could just machine a new bushing for the wg valve arm. If the valve is fubar too it would be easy to have them machine a larger one down to fit. While you are at it I would hog out the wg hole in the turbine housing and smooth things a bit. I don't get why the BMW twerbos get this rattle. I've had plenty of turbo with over 200k on em and never had a rattle problem. May be cause to the bass ackwads design.

i think part of it is also that the wastegate flapper is allowed to free spin within the arm (like an engine valve). I think that minor amount of play could also be a cause of this ridiculous rattle that makes it sound like the car is falling apart... Although I just recently saw a video of a brand new mclaren 765LT being delivered to the dealership and it also had ridiculous wastegate rattle. Id be so pissed if I spent that kind of money and drove around with a car that sounded like a metal coffee can of loose wood screws..

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

COVID 19?

They're in Virginia, yes?

maybe covid. Yes, Virginia or west Va, dont remember for sure.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by ExclusiveAuto

i think part of it is also that the wastegate flapper is allowed to free spin within the arm (like an engine valve). I think that minor amount of play could also be a cause of this ridiculous rattle that makes it sound like the car is falling apart... Although I just recently saw a video of a brand new mclaren 765LT being delivered to the dealership and it also had ridiculous wastegate rattle. Id be so pissed if I spent that kind of money and drove around with a car that sounded like a metal coffee can of loose wood screws..

Adjustment not effective?

[ExclusiveAuto]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Adjustment not effective?

No, the flapper arm that rides inside the bushing, as well as the bushing are worn, so even at full rod clamping force by the diaphragm, the flapper plate twists and doesn't seal it properly within the housing. The rod adjustment is only effective if the flapper is only slightly out of spec.