N55 twinscrol turbo broken

Marcogs12 · 05-08-2019, 06:40 AM

Hi everybody,

New in this forum to share my unfortunate experience with my BMW 535.
At 83000km the turbo broke.
I would appreciate to get your comment on how this may happen.

Stück · 05-08-2019, 08:37 AM

That turbo ingested foreign debris. Plain and simple.

ziekxq · 05-08-2019, 10:21 AM

Also, how often did you do oil changes and what gas you use? I think those also factor in but I could be wrong.

My stock turbo came out looking pretty much spotless when I upgraded my turbo to ps2. I do oil changes every 4k to 5k miles and only put 93 oct from shell:
https://m.imgur.com/a/GjdT9Rr

paul223 · 05-08-2019, 10:47 AM

Turbine wheel was grinding against loos metal or rock debris. It seems like I have seen this turbo on Ebay.

ziekxq · 05-08-2019, 02:29 PM

In anycase, I think he is better off getting a used cheap turbo from ebay and than trade that in for pure stage 1. Its cheaper than new original turbo from bmw.

bimmer_mods · 05-09-2019, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziekxq

Also, how often did you do oil changes and what gas you use? I think those also factor in but I could be wrong.

My stock turbo came out looking pretty much spotless when I upgraded my turbo to ps2. I do oil changes every 4k to 5k miles and only put 93 oct from shell:
https://m.imgur.com/a/GjdT9Rr

That looks good! I'm curious at what mileage was that?

ziekxq · 05-09-2019, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medo669

That looks good! I'm curious at what mileage was that?

90k miles

Marcogs12 · 05-09-2019, 06:55 AM

Thank you for all your comments.

In the mean time I contacted BorgWarner (BMW turbo manufacturer) and they gave me the same explanation. It is probably due to a foreign object swallowed through the air inlet. I still have to check the air filter, air box, air inlet and intercooler for any loose object.

Oil is changed every 10000 km and I use 95 oct.

Mileage is 83000km (not miles)

Marcogs12 · 05-09-2019, 06:58 AM

Here is the answer from BorgWarner.
They provided interesting links for Turbo troubleshooting.

Dear Sir,

based on the photo the possible turbo failure reason is a foreign object on the compressor inlet.

Possible causes:

• Nuts, washers, etc. forgotten during engine service

• Pieces of air intake system coming loose

• Pieces of deteriorated or non-fitting gaskets

• Inadequate maintenance of the air filter and air supply systems

• Particles in the air inlet

• Loose hardware or other foreign material

Please find attached the diagnostic matrix for further info and see links below:

https://www.borgwarner.com/aftermark...roubleshooting

https://www.borgwarner.com/docs/defa...sn=f680b63c_18

Kind Regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Matthias Kipper

Technical Support Engineer
BorgWarner Aftermarket Europe

Marcogs12 · 05-09-2019, 07:02 AM

Now looking to repair the turbo with this cartridge from E Bay.

Is it an acceptable solution when you see it is manufactured in China

NinetyEight740 · 05-16-2019, 10:12 PM

For sure sucked something up. Anyone recently working under the hood of your car? Spark plugs? Valve cover gasket?

Marcogs12 · 06-17-2019, 07:07 AM

Finally my car is back on the road.
After checking all pipes and intercooler, I did not find any foreign object of any sort except the debris coming from the broken compressor. The air filter was in good condition.
I installed a second hand BMW turbo and the car is now running as before.
I just cross mi fingers it does not break again.

05-08-2019, 06:40 AM	#1
Marcogs12 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 535i F07 Join Date: May 2019 Location: UAE iTrader: (0)	N55 twinscrol turbo broken Hi everybody, New in this forum to share my unfortunate experience with my BMW 535. At 83000km the turbo broke. I would appreciate to get your comment on how this may happen. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-08-2019, 08:37 AM	#2
Stück Major 801 Rep 1,214 Posts Drives: F15 X5, E46 330i, R56 Mini.S Join Date: May 2016 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	That turbo ingested foreign debris. Plain and simple.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2019, 10:21 AM	#3
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Also, how often did you do oil changes and what gas you use? I think those also factor in but I could be wrong. My stock turbo came out looking pretty much spotless when I upgraded my turbo to ps2. I do oil changes every 4k to 5k miles and only put 93 oct from shell: https://m.imgur.com/a/GjdT9Rr
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2019, 10:47 AM	#4
paul223 Major 411 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: arkansas iTrader: (0)	Turbine wheel was grinding against loos metal or rock debris. It seems like I have seen this turbo on Ebay.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2019, 02:29 PM	#5
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	In anycase, I think he is better off getting a used cheap turbo from ebay and than trade that in for pure stage 1. Its cheaper than new original turbo from bmw.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2019, 06:55 AM	#8
Marcogs12 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 535i F07 Join Date: May 2019 Location: UAE iTrader: (0)	Thank you for all your comments. In the mean time I contacted BorgWarner (BMW turbo manufacturer) and they gave me the same explanation. It is probably due to a foreign object swallowed through the air inlet. I still have to check the air filter, air box, air inlet and intercooler for any loose object. Oil is changed every 10000 km and I use 95 oct. Mileage is 83000km (not miles)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2019, 06:58 AM	#9
Marcogs12 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 535i F07 Join Date: May 2019 Location: UAE iTrader: (0)	Here is the answer from BorgWarner. They provided interesting links for Turbo troubleshooting. Dear Sir, based on the photo the possible turbo failure reason is a foreign object on the compressor inlet. Possible causes: • Nuts, washers, etc. forgotten during engine service • Pieces of air intake system coming loose • Pieces of deteriorated or non-fitting gaskets • Inadequate maintenance of the air filter and air supply systems • Particles in the air inlet • Loose hardware or other foreign material Please find attached the diagnostic matrix for further info and see links below: https://www.borgwarner.com/aftermark...roubleshooting https://www.borgwarner.com/docs/defa...sn=f680b63c_18 Kind Regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen Matthias Kipper Technical Support Engineer BorgWarner Aftermarket Europe
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2019, 07:02 AM	#10
Marcogs12 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 535i F07 Join Date: May 2019 Location: UAE iTrader: (0)	Now looking to repair the turbo with this cartridge from E Bay. Is it an acceptable solution when you see it is manufactured in China Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2019, 10:12 PM	#11
NinetyEight740 Major General 231 Rep 5,691 Posts Drives: 2 - 2013 535i msport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 E91 [0.00]	For sure sucked something up. Anyone recently working under the hood of your car? Spark plugs? Valve cover gasket?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-17-2019, 07:07 AM	#12
Marcogs12 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 535i F07 Join Date: May 2019 Location: UAE iTrader: (0)	Finally my car is back on the road. After checking all pipes and intercooler, I did not find any foreign object of any sort except the debris coming from the broken compressor. The air filter was in good condition. I installed a second hand BMW turbo and the car is now running as before. I just cross mi fingers it does not break again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote