Turbo leaking, but dealer says nothing is wrong

[Jonzny]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

It looks like it may require getting the top bolt from the top and the bottom bolt from the bottom. If I can do it from just one of those ways then I will, but I won’t know until I do it. The turbo stays put the entire time, so no removal.

Makes sense, eager to hear back! hopefully it goes smoothly for you

[RugbyBro]

Anybody have access to ISTA or BMWtis? Looking to see if there is a specific torque spec for the bolts at the air intake to turbo connection. They are part #3 (PN:07129905471) of the following diagram:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=13_1614

[spiceditup]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Anybody have access to ISTA or BMWtis? Looking to see if there is a specific torque spec for the bolts at the air intake to turbo connection. They are part #3 (PN:07129905471) of the following diagram:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=13_1614

Anyone update on the fix? I'm getting the same leak and just installed an oil catch can and hope it helps.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by spiceditup

Anyone update on the fix? I'm getting the same leak and just installed an oil catch can and hope it helps.

Not yet, haven’t had the time because of work. Have the gasket tho so it’ll either be tomorrow or next weekend

[Kilabyte]

Were you losing a lot of oil before noticing it?

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

Were you losing a lot of oil before noticing it?

I haven’t noticed any oil loss really since I’ve noticed the leak on mine but I change oil every 6 months/5000 mile so the oil is filled to spec fairly regularly

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by spiceditup

Anyone update on the fix? I'm getting the same leak and just installed an oil catch can and hope it helps.

Sorry, an oil catch can collects mostly oily water vapor and gets installed in the crankcase vacuum pathway, not in the engine oil pathway. If you up your boost or run Ethanol mixes it really helps catch the blow-by vapor condensate that would otherwise feed into your front turbo inlet and blow up into that chargepipe.

[Jonzny]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Not yet, haven’t had the time because of work. Have the gasket tho so it’ll either be tomorrow or next weekend

Hey wanted to follow up, had to get my oil pan replaced (long story) so while they were in there they saw the leak and replaced parts 1 & 4 in this diagram

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=13_1614

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by Jonzny

Hey wanted to follow up, had to get my oil pan replaced (long story) so while they were in there they saw the leak and replaced parts 1 & 4 in this diagram

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=13_1614

Nice, did that resolve the leak for you?

[Jonzny]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Nice, did that resolve the leak for you?

Just got the car back so I won't know until i do my next oil change and get under there, it was such a slow leak I would need to give it time.

The tech was certain thats where it was coming from though

[RugbyBro]

Did this tonight, will post my haphazard DIY probably Sunday. Definitely doable, no removal of the turbos needed, and the old O-ring was like a stale potato chip - not surprised it was leaking

[PghBMW]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Did this tonight, will post my haphazard DIY probably Sunday. Definitely doable, no removal of the turbos needed, and the old O-ring was like a stale potato chip - not surprised it was leaking

I wanted to revive this thread as well. I was changing the oil on my M4 and decided to take off the skid plates. I noticed this leakage as well.

[PghBMW]

Wanted to provide an update to this post. In June 2021 I replaced my turbo inlet gasket similar to another user in this thread and installed a catch can. Cleaned up the area and haven't noticed anything since then. I check every 5,000 miles when I change my oil and it's still clean and dry. Replacing the gasket and installing a catch can solved the issue.

[ChopStuey]

After lurking on this forum to find out information on this issue I also wanted to share my experience to help others. My 16 plate M4 had the same symptoms with oil stains on the bottom of the turbo and the clamp, ultimately it needed replaced.

My advice to anyone who has thinking about or purchased an M4 is get it on a ramp and have a look right away! I fortunately was quick enough and got a replacement free of charge by the dealer. Saved me thousands.

Hope this helps someone..

[f80fan]

The o-ring failed on mine also, 16k miles, the new o-ring cost less than £3.

Fitted it myself and also a mishimoto catch can. No oil since.

Seems a pretty common issue even at relatively low mileages. Just wonder how many unscrupulous dealers diagnose it as turbo failure and end up replacing the turbo?

[andrei.m4]

Maybe my post help you guys. I had same problem. Oring in time and too much heat is damaging and need replace. But the oil here is not from pcv valve. Catch can will not solve the problem. The problems is the turbo is leaking oil in charge pipe. Why? Because factory issues of turbo seals bearing maybe I don t know. I have new valve cover, catch can, every time catch can have only water condensation and some honey color residue. No oil in the catch can. So I decided to replace the turbo. I bought a new turbo, and 4k km no more oil in the chargepipe, then after 4k again started to leak oil in the intake. I also repaired an m4(40k km) 1 week ago and I observed also turbo 1 with slight oil in the charge pipe. The problem is when the leak start to increase over time, when you let car a lot to idle it will smoke on the exhaust.
Ps. The reason yesterday I just ordered upgrade turbos set to increase power and also eliminate this problem, because upgrade turbos have bearinga, oem ones not have bearings.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by andrei.m4

Maybe my post help you guys. I had same problem. Oring in time and too much heat is damaging and need replace. But the oil here is not from pcv valve. Catch can will not solve the problem. The problems is the turbo is leaking oil in charge pipe. Why? Because factory issues of turbo seals bearing maybe I don t know. I have new valve cover, catch can, every time catch can have only water condensation and some honey color residue. No oil in the catch can. So I decided to replace the turbo. I bought a new turbo, and 4k km no more oil in the chargepipe, then after 4k again started to leak oil in the intake. I also repaired an m4(40k km) 1 week ago and I observed also turbo 1 with slight oil in the charge pipe. The problem is when the leak start to increase over time, when you let car a lot to idle it will smoke on the exhaust.
Ps. The reason yesterday I just ordered upgrade turbos set to increase power and also eliminate this problem, because upgrade turbos have bearinga, oem ones not have bearings.

You replaced 1 turbo. Curious, why didn't you replace both? Even if 1 is leaking. The both have equal life.

[andrei.m4]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

You replaced 1 turbo. Curious, why didn't you replace both? Even if 1 is leaking. The both have equal life.

Because second turbo is in perfect condition, charge pipe is super clean, no oil leak here. No matter now i ordered upgraded turbos from uk.