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Is it worth replacing the blown turbo on my 2009 BMW 520d?
My 2009 BMW 520d exploded with a sudden loss of power after a brief period of a strange tiny whining noise when pressing the accelerator pedal (driving at 65-75mph). Subsequent repatriation to a franchised BMW dealership has resulted in the diagnosis of a blown turbo, air cooler for the turbo and diesel particulate filter. They suggest replacement of these parts will cost £1650 (turbo), £690 (DPF), £350 (cooler) with total labour of £400 plus VAT results in a total of £3700. Is this a fair price? Is this worth doing for a car that might be worth only £5000? And will there be any other consequences of a blown turbo once they start replacing elements?
Asked on 26 June 2018 by Matt B
Answered by
Honest John
The most likely reason for this is that the turbo bearing oil feed and oil return pipes became blocked with carbon from shutting off the engine too often when the turbo was red hot. The effect increases exponentially as the pipes become more restricted with carbon, cutting off the oil supply to the turbo bearing that then gets red hot because it isn't being cooled by oil flow. So the first thing to be absolutely sure about is that the turbo oil feed and oil return pipes are replaced at the same time as everything else. A cheap job that cuts corners could prove to be very expensive.
Tags:
turbo failure
engine repairs
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