X1 B47 Engine Issues!
Discussion
About a month ago on the way to see my father, who had hours to live, my X1 developed a faint whistle on acceleration.
I was keen to get to my parents so pushed on but took it easy.
On the Woodhead Pass I put my foot down on a uphill section and there was a loud noise and I notice smoke out of the exhaust.
Loss of power straight after.
Managed to crawl 200m to a layby and switched off.
AA called, came in about an hour and diagnosed suspected turbo failure.
Due to my circumstances he suggested getting it on the dolly and taking it a garage in the same village as my parents.
Car dropped off, adviced it would be a few days before they could look at it, fair enough.
10 days later car diagnosed with knackered turbo and turbo replaced, engine flushed out, cleaned etc and new oil and filter.
Went back home to pick it up, paid £1600, told it was all warranted. Car drove ok but with faint whiff in the cabin but just put that down to excess oil burning off.
Drove ok 130 miles back home.
Next time I used it a few days later still whiff of exhaust and then delay in boosting with a weird screeching noise on acceleration.
Retuned home, called garage, he said bring it in and they will sort it.
Bit difficult 130 miles away.
Called AA to see if they would take it. They sent a patrolman to have a look.
He said clamp between exhaust/DPF and turbo was slightly misaligned causing delay in boost and noise.
He nipped it up as best he could. Took it for a test drive and slight leak there still but car boosting ok.
AA guy said it should be ok to get over there next day (father's funeral) and garage were ok with having a look as a priority.
Set off next day, all ok but within 15 miles weird noise returned then lost power and warning message 'Limited Performance, but still ok to drive'
Then big plume of smoke from exhaust! Drove about 3-400m to a safe place and called the AA.
Then had to get an Uber back home to get my other car so wouldn't be late to funeral.
AA transported it to the garage.
Contacted garage and the are already making excuses that it may be a blocked DPF that caused it and not anything they did ie. fit new turbo and pipework. Not even looked at the car.
There has never been a DPF warning light or message previous to this so doubt it can be that.
He said they may be able to bodge it and then advised I take it straight to WBAC!
They said they will look at it Monday but now don't trust them.
They have my car 130 miles away so can't just nip over for a chat.
Going to see what they say on Monday and go from there.
What if they say DPF blocked? How do I prove it's not?
ETA car on 99k miles and serviced regularly and have had zero issues over the 5 years of ownership.
Sorry for long post/rant.
Thanks if you've got this far
I was keen to get to my parents so pushed on but took it easy.
On the Woodhead Pass I put my foot down on a uphill section and there was a loud noise and I notice smoke out of the exhaust.
Loss of power straight after.
Managed to crawl 200m to a layby and switched off.
AA called, came in about an hour and diagnosed suspected turbo failure.
Due to my circumstances he suggested getting it on the dolly and taking it a garage in the same village as my parents.
Car dropped off, adviced it would be a few days before they could look at it, fair enough.
10 days later car diagnosed with knackered turbo and turbo replaced, engine flushed out, cleaned etc and new oil and filter.
Went back home to pick it up, paid £1600, told it was all warranted. Car drove ok but with faint whiff in the cabin but just put that down to excess oil burning off.
Drove ok 130 miles back home.
Next time I used it a few days later still whiff of exhaust and then delay in boosting with a weird screeching noise on acceleration.
Retuned home, called garage, he said bring it in and they will sort it.
Bit difficult 130 miles away.
Called AA to see if they would take it. They sent a patrolman to have a look.
He said clamp between exhaust/DPF and turbo was slightly misaligned causing delay in boost and noise.
He nipped it up as best he could. Took it for a test drive and slight leak there still but car boosting ok.
AA guy said it should be ok to get over there next day (father's funeral) and garage were ok with having a look as a priority.
Set off next day, all ok but within 15 miles weird noise returned then lost power and warning message 'Limited Performance, but still ok to drive'
Then big plume of smoke from exhaust! Drove about 3-400m to a safe place and called the AA.
Then had to get an Uber back home to get my other car so wouldn't be late to funeral.
AA transported it to the garage.
Contacted garage and the are already making excuses that it may be a blocked DPF that caused it and not anything they did ie. fit new turbo and pipework. Not even looked at the car.
There has never been a DPF warning light or message previous to this so doubt it can be that.
He said they may be able to bodge it and then advised I take it straight to WBAC!
They said they will look at it Monday but now don't trust them.
They have my car 130 miles away so can't just nip over for a chat.
Going to see what they say on Monday and go from there.
What if they say DPF blocked? How do I prove it's not?
ETA car on 99k miles and serviced regularly and have had zero issues over the 5 years of ownership.
Sorry for long post/rant.
Thanks if you've got this far
GreatGranny said:
Went back home to pick it up, paid £1600, told it was all warranted. Car drove ok but with faint whiff in the cabin but just put that down to excess oil burning off.
He said clamp between exhaust/DPF and turbo was slightly misaligned causing delay in boost and noise.
Contacted garage and the are already making excuses that it may be a blocked DPF that caused it and not anything they did ie. fit new turbo and pipework. Not even looked at the car.
There has never been a DPF warning light or message previous to this so doubt it can be that.
He said they may be able to bodge it and then advised I take it straight to WBAC!
How did you pay the £1600?, hopefully a credit card.He said clamp between exhaust/DPF and turbo was slightly misaligned causing delay in boost and noise.
Contacted garage and the are already making excuses that it may be a blocked DPF that caused it and not anything they did ie. fit new turbo and pipework. Not even looked at the car.
There has never been a DPF warning light or message previous to this so doubt it can be that.
He said they may be able to bodge it and then advised I take it straight to WBAC!
Have you got anything in writing from the AA to confirm the DPF/turbo misaligned causing a further AA call out?
And now they're already passing blame onto another part, even before they've inspected the car.
I wouldn't be trusting them any further.
Trevor555 said:
How did you pay the £1600?, hopefully a credit card.
Have you got anything in writing from the AA to confirm the DPF/turbo misaligned causing a further AA call out?
And now they're already passing blame onto another part, even before they've inspected the car.
I wouldn't be trusting them any further.
Unfortunately paid by debit card.Have you got anything in writing from the AA to confirm the DPF/turbo misaligned causing a further AA call out?
And now they're already passing blame onto another part, even before they've inspected the car.
I wouldn't be trusting them any further.
Used the garage before with no issues.
I have a report from each time they were called out to the car.
Quote re. mis-alignment/leaking
"Found exhaust dpf to turbo clamp leaking. Stripped to access clamp and tightened. Reassembled and member tested a lot better but member is returning to repairing garage for further investigation. Engine Oil Level Ok. Coolant Level Ok."
Thanks
Edited by GreatGranny on Saturday 22 March 18:07
GreatGranny said:
Contacted garage and the are already making excuses that it may be a blocked DPF that caused it and not anything they did ie. fit new turbo and pipework. Not even looked at the car.
They've already decided they're not accepting any liability, even before checking the car.So I guess they'll make up anything to clear any responsibility.
Your only chance is to get it looked at by someone else, and if they say this further problem is down to the garage's mistake, get that in a report, then tell the garage who did the initial repair for £1600 to sort it.
If they don't, get it repaired somewhere else, and claim back the costs.
Edited by Trevor555 on Saturday 22 March 18:40
They have got back to me and said the turbo has gone again.
They also say the DPF and exhaust is blocked!
Obviously trying not to blame it on the turbo he fitted.
He said he will send it off the the supplier to see if it's warranted and go from there.
I did state there have been no warning lights on the car before the issue and drove the car 200 miles between original repair and it failing again.
No way could that have been possible with a blocked DPF and exhaust.
Don't trust him now but I am 130 miles away.
If not satisfactory answer Monday I'm going to sort a truck and get it taken to an AA approved garage.
I am also trying to contact the AA to ask advice.
Wife is contacting her works legal support for advice as well.
They also say the DPF and exhaust is blocked!
Obviously trying not to blame it on the turbo he fitted.
He said he will send it off the the supplier to see if it's warranted and go from there.
I did state there have been no warning lights on the car before the issue and drove the car 200 miles between original repair and it failing again.
No way could that have been possible with a blocked DPF and exhaust.
Don't trust him now but I am 130 miles away.
If not satisfactory answer Monday I'm going to sort a truck and get it taken to an AA approved garage.
I am also trying to contact the AA to ask advice.
Wife is contacting her works legal support for advice as well.
119 said:
Would a blocked DPF put a strain on the turbo?
Not technically minded btw.
He said the gases have nowhere to escape to and blow back into the turbo.Not technically minded btw.
No idea if that's true but there have been no DPF warning lights or any warning lights until the turbo went the second time and it said 'Performance restricted but car safe to drive' which it wasn't
I pulled over as quick as I could, so maybe 200m.
119 said:
Would a blocked DPF put a strain on the turbo?
Not technically minded btw.
Yes, the gases have nowhere to go other than backwards, they then take out the weakest link. It’s possible the first turbo failed but blocked the dpf in the first place, fitting a new turbo solved that but because a new turbo was fitted and no doubt not roadtested, fault codes cleared and live data checked it was just sent on its way.Not technically minded btw.
If we fit something and it plays up afterwards we just ask for it back, check it all over and make sure nothing is amiss, if it’s our fault we will fix it, if it’s something else then we will discuss with the customer.
GreatGranny said:
They have got back to me and said the turbo has gone again.
They also say the DPF and exhaust is blocked!
Obviously trying not to blame it on the turbo he fitted.
He said he will send it off the the supplier to see if it's warranted and go from there.
I did state there have been no warning lights on the car before the issue and drove the car 200 miles between original repair and it failing again.
No way could that have been possible with a blocked DPF and exhaust.
Don't trust him now but I am 130 miles away.
If not satisfactory answer Monday I'm going to sort a truck and get it taken to an AA approved garage.
I am also trying to contact the AA to ask advice.
Wife is contacting her works legal support for advice as well.
DPF blocked would probably not mean 'completely blocked', just excess pressure across it due to soot.They also say the DPF and exhaust is blocked!
Obviously trying not to blame it on the turbo he fitted.
He said he will send it off the the supplier to see if it's warranted and go from there.
I did state there have been no warning lights on the car before the issue and drove the car 200 miles between original repair and it failing again.
No way could that have been possible with a blocked DPF and exhaust.
Don't trust him now but I am 130 miles away.
If not satisfactory answer Monday I'm going to sort a truck and get it taken to an AA approved garage.
I am also trying to contact the AA to ask advice.
Wife is contacting her works legal support for advice as well.
They tend to have either a pressure sensor at each end or a differential pressure sensor across the DPF.
It's how the car decides it's time to 'regenerate' i.e. attempt to burn the soot out of the DPF.
It doesn't take many grams of soot to register as excess back pressure.
On-dash error messages are only part of the story, someone needs to get in there with a full code reader.
What is the history of the car?
Sounds like you need to think less about the blame and more about fixing the car.
The garage you took it to didn't cause the original problem, even if they didn't fix it properly.
If you in the game of trucking it somewhere, think about who's going to actually understand the problem.
That's a BMW specialist, not necessarily a place with some AA badges?
Turbos seem to rarely just die for no reason.
OutInTheShed said:
DPF blocked would probably not mean 'completely blocked', just excess pressure across it due to soot.
They tend to have either a pressure sensor at each end or a differential pressure sensor across the DPF.
It's how the car decides it's time to 'regenerate' i.e. attempt to burn the soot out of the DPF.
It doesn't take many grams of soot to register as excess back pressure.
On-dash error messages are only part of the story, someone needs to get in there with a full code reader.
What is the history of the car?
Sounds like you need to think less about the blame and more about fixing the car.
The garage you took it to didn't cause the original problem, even if they didn't fix it properly.
If you in the game of trucking it somewhere, think about who's going to actually understand the problem.
That's a BMW specialist, not necessarily a place with some AA badges?
Turbos seem to rarely just die for no reason.
Cheers for the reply.They tend to have either a pressure sensor at each end or a differential pressure sensor across the DPF.
It's how the car decides it's time to 'regenerate' i.e. attempt to burn the soot out of the DPF.
It doesn't take many grams of soot to register as excess back pressure.
On-dash error messages are only part of the story, someone needs to get in there with a full code reader.
What is the history of the car?
Sounds like you need to think less about the blame and more about fixing the car.
The garage you took it to didn't cause the original problem, even if they didn't fix it properly.
If you in the game of trucking it somewhere, think about who's going to actually understand the problem.
That's a BMW specialist, not necessarily a place with some AA badges?
Turbos seem to rarely just die for no reason.
Car on 99k miles, serviced every year.
Has been 100% reliable in the 4-5 years we've owned it.
Used for mainly longer journeys, we have a MINI E for short stuff.
Never had any warning lights apart from bulbs.
They did say there was oil everywhere when the original turbo went.
They cleared it all out, replaced a pipe plus turbo + new oil and filter.
They are saying they weren't looking at the cause so if the DPF was blocked it's basically not their fault.
To me they should have noticed if the DPF was partially or fully blocked.
He said he took it on a 30 mile test drive after he fitted the new turbo and I drove it 130 miles home.
There was a smell in the cabin but I put it down to oil/crap being burnt off.
I will see what he says early next week and go from there.
GreatGranny said:
Cheers for the reply.
Car on 99k miles, serviced every year.
Has been 100% reliable in the 4-5 years we've owned it.
Used for mainly longer journeys, we have a MINI E for short stuff.
Never had any warning lights apart from bulbs.
They did say there was oil everywhere when the original turbo went.
They cleared it all out, replaced a pipe plus turbo + new oil and filter.
They are saying they weren't looking at the cause so if the DPF was blocked it's basically not their fault.
To me they should have noticed if the DPF was partially or fully blocked.
He said he took it on a 30 mile test drive after he fitted the new turbo and I drove it 130 miles home.
There was a smell in the cabin but I put it down to oil/crap being burnt off.
I will see what he says early next week and go from there.
How would they notice if the DPF was a bit blocked?Car on 99k miles, serviced every year.
Has been 100% reliable in the 4-5 years we've owned it.
Used for mainly longer journeys, we have a MINI E for short stuff.
Never had any warning lights apart from bulbs.
They did say there was oil everywhere when the original turbo went.
They cleared it all out, replaced a pipe plus turbo + new oil and filter.
They are saying they weren't looking at the cause so if the DPF was blocked it's basically not their fault.
To me they should have noticed if the DPF was partially or fully blocked.
He said he took it on a 30 mile test drive after he fitted the new turbo and I drove it 130 miles home.
There was a smell in the cabin but I put it down to oil/crap being burnt off.
I will see what he says early next week and go from there.
You didn't notice either. No warning lights and you'd not notice if you lost 10% of HP or whatever.
From what I understand of DPFs, many of them are catalytic, they attempt to burn the carbon and stuff as well as trapping it.
They don't last forever, the catalyst 'wears out'. 100k miles for a new one is disappointing but perhaps not unusual.
I can imagine that a significant leak of oil into the dpf would finish off its catalytic properties, so understandable that it's then blocked a short while later?
I looked over the OBD data on my mate's N47 engine when that needed a new DPF, there was some history available, last attempt to regen, pressures, temperatures, estimate of life left in the DPF. Some of it may be nonsense if you're using a cheap OBD reader, like off the scale numbers for sensors not fitted on that variant.
New aftermarket DPF was £700 fitted.
Is yours an adblue engine?
I would be looking for a specialist who knows these engines, there is too much to learn for the amateur or general mechanic.
When you only blow one up every 20 years, it's a slow learning curve!
You don’t need to be a specialist you just need to understand engines and any decent mechanic should be able to help
As for why would they go looking, well you would start by scanning the car and recording all fault codes, you would make sure codes related to the fault your presented with. Once you have repaired and road tested you would scan to make sure everything is ok and no other codes have returned
The dpf bolts to the turbo on these so once the turbo is off it’s easy to see the condition, you would also check the front flexy to make sure it’s not done the normal thing and split as it would be the ideal time to change it.
As for why would they go looking, well you would start by scanning the car and recording all fault codes, you would make sure codes related to the fault your presented with. Once you have repaired and road tested you would scan to make sure everything is ok and no other codes have returned
The dpf bolts to the turbo on these so once the turbo is off it’s easy to see the condition, you would also check the front flexy to make sure it’s not done the normal thing and split as it would be the ideal time to change it.
The DPF would be expected to look at least superficially dirty if the turbo has just let go?
You don't have to be a specialist, but a specialist who's seen lots of these engines will get to the point quicker than someone who's only seen Fords and VWs. If the OP is having the car trucked to a different garage, he might as well pick the best option.
You don't have to be a specialist, but a specialist who's seen lots of these engines will get to the point quicker than someone who's only seen Fords and VWs. If the OP is having the car trucked to a different garage, he might as well pick the best option.
You need Bimmerlink to get live DPF ash and soot content readings, as well as last successful regen mileage. That's how you prove it's blocked or not.
Second turbo failure with screeching noises. Sounds like they didn't replace the oil feed line. Any shop with an ounce of competence replaces the turbo, feed and drain lines, all hardware (inc clamps) and gaskets etc. And they build oil pressure before firing it up. If they don't, they must enjoy dealing with comebacks.
Good luck with this. You're going to need it.
Second turbo failure with screeching noises. Sounds like they didn't replace the oil feed line. Any shop with an ounce of competence replaces the turbo, feed and drain lines, all hardware (inc clamps) and gaskets etc. And they build oil pressure before firing it up. If they don't, they must enjoy dealing with comebacks.
Good luck with this. You're going to need it.
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