BMW Diesel - No Power and White Smoke

info_addict

BMW 320D (03 Plate).

Just cruising along the motorway at 65mph, when I noticed a lack of power. When I pulled off the motorway, definitely no power. Though it was slipping clutch, but rev counter doesn't shoot up.

Then I noticed there was loads of white smoke coming from the exhaust! Temperature gauge Ok and no missfiring. Anyway just been relayed back home.

Checked the dipstick and it's normal and can't see any sign of oil in the filler resevoir.

Bloke from Green Flag said he thought it was a turbo that had blown.

Does this sound right?

Is so, is this going to be expensive or just very expensive? Any rough-ish ideas of costs would be appreciated before I enter the garages minefield on Monday.

Thanks

knowledgeman

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/garage-services/47586-bmw-320d-150bhp-turbo.html

Not good reading Im afraid

Apparently a very common fault on them and repairs can cost 2-3k

knowledgeman

knowledgeman wrote: »

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/garage-services/47586-bmw-320d-150bhp-turbo.html

Not good reading Im afraid

Apparently a very common fault on them and repairs can cost 2-3k

Before getting any repair done Id approach BMW and see what contribution they will give if any if its done by an approved dealer

vikingaero

Very common I'm afraid despite BMW being a sack of Tony Bliars on the situation.

If your car is a used company car it is more than likely that the long service intervals, hard driving and the rep switching off the engine quickly after a hot run has cooked the bearings.

If you have a full BMW dealer service history then take the car to them and try and wangle a goodwill payment. Otherwise take the car to a trusted independent.

mjr600

Sorry to hear your tale but having read through the posts via the link it seems you may be screwed.

Wonder if the same problems occur on the Rover 75 and MG, same engine after all.

info_addict

Gosh - this is way over the ballpark I was thinking for a repair!:eek:

But thanks anyway for your replies. The car is indeed ex fleet and has done about 89,000 miles (only 9,000 of which are mine, in the 2 years I've had it).

I will try phoning BMW dealers, as it has a full BMW FSH from the fleet company (as I do such a low mileage, I've not yet required a service!). But from the link above, it doesn't seem as though I will get anywhere with them, in the way of a goodwill gesture.

So my next question is, as it still drives, am I safe scooting it round to a local garage, to see if it is indeed a turbo failure? What is the smoke coming from the exhaust, water or oil (doesn't smell like oil)?

Or am I better taking it either to an independant BMW garage or are there specialist turbo chappies?

harveybobbles

Common to fail are them there turbo's!

Make sure that the breather hoses have been cleaned out every service, as this causes oil starvation, thus causing t'turbo to blow.

Can pick a 2nd hand one up for 200 quid max.

harveybobbles

...and as for the repair costing 2-3k!!! HA!! I'll do it for less than half that...

harveybobbles

Dum dee dum...