10 replies to this topic

[minimou]

Hello,

The turbo isn't working on my '12 Cooper D - no boost whatsoever. Checked all pipes - seem fine, and no faults up on display.

Anything that could be assessed before plugging it into diagnostics?

Cheers!

[cubby1701]

You would probably get a better response from the modern mini forums as this site prefers the original mini

[HarrysMini]

When you finish driving, before you switch the engine off, do you wait for 30 seconds or so to let the turbo spool down? If not, this is what's caused your problem.

[benjy_18]

The above is incorrect, your car is equipped with an electric water pump which continues working after the engine is switched off, so you don't need to allow it to idle after running,

Being a diesel chances are there is an issue with the DPF/cat, (if it has a DPF fitted)
I would recommend taking it to your nearest BMW dealer as they will be able to check this fault for you (they only charge £50 for initial diagnostics)

There could be many things that cause this, the chances are it's a fault that has caused the car to enter "limp home mode" but it is unusual for no light to appear on the dashboard. Before you assume the turbo has failed I would pop to a bmw dealer

[Carlos W]

If it's a 12 plate car it should still be under warranty and BMW should sort it for you!

 

DPF problems should put the light on!

[minimou]

Thanks all, much appreciated

[HarrysMini]

The above is incorrect, your car is equipped with an electric water pump which continues working after the engine is switched off, so you don't need to allow it to idle after running,

Being a diesel chances are there is an issue with the DPF/cat, (if it has a DPF fitted)
I would recommend taking it to your nearest BMW dealer as they will be able to check this fault for you (they only charge £50 for initial diagnostics)

There could be many things that cause this, the chances are it's a fault that has caused the car to enter "limp home mode" but it is unusual for no light to appear on the dashboard. Before you assume the turbo has failed I would pop to a bmw dealer

It's got nothing to do with the water supply or cooling. The reason you drive it off boost for a bit/letting it idle is to allow the turbo to spool down while oil is still being pumped round the turbo. If you immediately turn the engine off while the turbo is still spinning then while it spools down there will be no oil circulating round the turbo, this means bearing/seal failure. In short, a new turbo.

[benjy_18]

OEM turbos will "spool down" in a matter of seconds so this is no issue, you are slightly correct in respect to roller bearing turbos, but no manufacture fits these as standard to road cars as it's not cost effective! How would you react if a salesman told you "you have to let it idle for a minute after every use else it'll break"

All standard cars are built with safety features to stop a turbo from deteriorating, you will never find a car from factory which needs to idle after usage.

If you drive for prolonged periods at high rpm and on boost constantly then maybe, but under normal condition a turbo will never fail because you haven't let the car idle

[humph]

If it's a 12 plate car it should still be under warranty and BMW should sort it for you!

This, you've spent a fortune on it, take it back and let them worry about it.

[Alex_B]

My bet if there is no lights on then the pipe from compressor to inlet, and thus compressed air is just escaping but I would take it to MINI as its defo new enough for them to fix it 

[HarrysMini]

OEM turbos will "spool down" in a matter of seconds so this is no issue, you are slightly correct in respect to roller bearing turbos, but no manufacture fits these as standard to road cars as it's not cost effective! How would you react if a salesman told you "you have to let it idle for a minute after every use else it'll break"

All standard cars are built with safety features to stop a turbo from deteriorating, you will never find a car from factory which needs to idle after usage.

If you drive for prolonged periods at high rpm and on boost constantly then maybe, but under normal condition a turbo will never fail because you haven't let the car idle

That is correct, and it is also more common for turbos fitted to petrol engines to fail rather than in diesels.