Turbo leaking, but dealer says nothing is wrong

[r0wr]

Last week, I went to have downpipes installed on my car at a local shop and installer told me that the turbo was leaking. It wasn't a ton but enough that bolts that hold the shield underneath the car had a little residue oil. He called me over to tell me there was a leak before he even took off the shield. I decided to pass on installing the DPs so that I could get it fixed before warranty ends this November.

I decided to call the dealership where I get my car serviced (Dealer #1). They said they couldn't get me in with a loaner until next Monday (10/15). I decided to call another dealership I've never been to (Dealer #2) and they immediately took my car in (10/8). They checked it out and said they didn't find anything after doing some dye testing (10/10). I knew this was bullshit because I saw the leak for myself. I went back to the shop (10/13) to take some pictures this time and will be going into my regular dealer (#1) tomorrow to drop off the car as I kept my appointment. I am pretty annoyed and thinking about reaching out to BMW NA in regards to dealer #1. Any thoughts on what I should tell dealer #1 tomorrow when I drop off my car?

See pictures in below:

[mbs49946]

Are these pics from above or below the car?

[clutchdj]

Is that residue on the cold side? Thats not entirely unusual but it could also be an issue. Do you have actual oil drips? How does your oil level read and do you have to top it off frequently?

Clean it off and monitor it. If it comes back quickly it could be the seal bleeding from excessive crankcase pressure. Does the car feel down on power?

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by mbs49946

Are these pics from above or below the car?

These are from underneath the car

Originally Posted by clutchdj

Is that residue on the cold side? Thats not entirely unusual but it could also be an issue. Do you have actual oil drips? How does your oil level read and do you have to top it off frequently?

Clean it off and monitor it. If it comes back quickly it could be the seal bleeding from escessive crankcase pressure. Does the car feel down on power?

I'm not sure which side of the turbo it is on. There are actual oil drips as it there was residual oil on the bolts which hold the shield underneath the car right below the turbo.

Haven't checked oil level read - I've never had to top it off. Recently had an oil change though on my last dealer visit at 30k mile mark.

[clutchdj]

opened up laptop to see; ya that's definitely the cold side. possibly bleeding at the seal (in between the cold and hot side). To diagnose, one would examine the whole intake tract pre turbo and clean it. That probably wont solve your problem but it will possibly reduce it if there is excessive blow by; tough to diagnose without any faults assuming there are none.

With your warranty up in Nov, express concerns about having to possibly pay for a new turbo... something you shouldn't have to pay for. Again, if no faults and not down on power its a tough sell. If you are buying an extended warranty, clean off the turbo after you get the car back and monitor it. HTH

[jmg]

Whatever you do, make sure your service request paperwork explicitly states the problem and concerns with the turbo. That way you can prove that the problem existed before your warranty went out.

[AlterZgo]

Do you have engine mods? I'd keep cool before raising hell w/ BMWNA if you have anything installed like a tune or intake and stuff. Don't want to piss off dealer and/or BMW NA when you're trying to get turbos warrantied.

[BimmerKay]

Good luck mate, subbing to see how it goes. My dealership hasn't been able to fix my center console usb, so I couldn't imagine bringing up an issue like yours!

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Do you have engine mods? I'd keep cool before raising hell w/ BMWNA if you have anything installed like a tune or intake and stuff. Don't want to piss off dealer and/or BMW NA when you're trying to get turbos warrantied.

None, good point though. Will wait to see what the dealer says.

[damageprone]

What mileage does your car have?

[mephiska]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but assuming OP is a CA resident the turbo should be covered by the California Emissions Control Warranty for 7 years / 70k miles.

See page 30:

https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...%20M6%20SW.pdf

[Fast4d]

you should check if the intake tract is wet with oil. this is bad for detonation and valve deposits.

if external leak only check the oil connector and drain fittings?

[zorrro]

Originally Posted by jmg

Whatever you do, make sure your service request paperwork explicitly states the problem and concerns with the turbo. That way you can prove that the problem existed before your warranty went out.

+1. In writing not verbal.

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by mephiska

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but assuming OP is a CA resident the turbo should be covered by the California Emissions Control Warranty for 7 years / 70k miles.

See page 30:

https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...%20M6%20SW.pdf

Nice find here. I will bring this up if there are any issues.

[damageprone]

How are you guys getting these shots? I tried crawling under my car yesterday, but with a basic jack and jack stands, I can't see anything from underneath this car.

I'm not used to a car with so much under-body cladding. Did you have to remove some panels to see the turbos?

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by damageprone

How are you guys getting these shots? I tried crawling under my car yesterday, but with a basic jack and jack stands, I can't see anything from underneath this car.

I'm not used to a car with so much under-body cladding. Did you have to remove some panels to see the turbos?

Yes, I removed the under carriage shield that sits at the front half of the car.

[r0wr]

Just heard back from my dealer. Shop foreman said it was completely normal. I'm a little sketched out. Any thoughts? Not sure if I should take this up with BMW NA

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by r0wr

Just heard back from my dealer. Shop foreman said it was completely normal. I'm a little sketched out. Any thoughts? Not sure if I should take this up with BMW NA

Definitely not normal. Go to a different dealer and hopefully someone will go the extra mile and get this correctly diagnosed/repaired.

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Definitely not normal. Go to a different dealer.

This is the second dealer I've been to.. haha. What a joke.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by r0wr

This is the second dealer I've been to.. haha. What a joke.

It's not easy sometimes, look what happened here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1546193. The oil's coming from somewhere (assuming it wasn't spilled).

Stick to your guns, you're entitled to warranty service - you paid for it.

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

It's not easy sometimes, look what happened here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1546193. The oil's coming from somewhere (assuming it wasn't spilled).

Stick to your guns, you're entitled to warranty service - you paid for it.

Should I keep going through the dealer or should I go to BMW NA?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by r0wr

Should I keep going through the dealer or should I go to BMW NA?

If you're not getting a resolution, call BMWNA and get them involved.