Dropped a dime in the intake

t04d · 05-19-2019, 09:48 PM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi guys,

Sad to report that while changing the spark plugs earlier this afternoon and trying to move more quickly than I should I was using some loose change to get the clips off on the crankcase vent hose and one of the dimes slid out from the clip and somehow managed to go down the open piece of the plastic intake piping. I've attached a pic to give you guys a better idea, but this plastic pipe leads directly to the turbo, I believe it's the compressor side so it basically runs right into the compressor fan blade.

Now when it dropped I didn't actually see it drop and I had no way to tell if it had actually gone into the tube or not so I decided to start it up and see if it just started making all kinds of noise. It didn't and I took it around the block and just under 4k rpm's I heard it squeal. Unfortunately, I had to just limp her home around 2k rpm's and park in garage and get ready to leave for the airport for a work trip. Plan to have my wife limp it over to the shop in the morning and let them know what stupid ass mistake I made, but wanted to post this here for learning purposes. Kind of wondering if any damage could have been caused to the compressor blade already, but we shall see. The CEL didn't come on so I thought that was a positive, but man I'm kicking myself on the airplane for this right now.

turboawd · 05-20-2019, 01:17 AM

I would not drive it anymore. Have it towed. If the dime got lodged against one of the turbo fins, you may be lucky and just have the dime removed.

P1 · 05-20-2019, 05:50 AM

Agree with the aboy. You might have dodged a bullet. Tow it to the dealership and explain what happened. Keep us posted.

CHECKERED · 05-20-2019, 09:44 AM

make sure the dealer gives you back the dime

ragingpixel · 05-20-2019, 09:56 AM

I was reading that thinking "don't start it... don't start it... don't sta... DOH!"

Turbocharger compressors are made of aluminum - doesn't take much in the way of foreign objects to cause major carnage. If the dime stopped there and only tore up the compressor wheel, I'd count yourself lucky.

ComasF15 · 05-20-2019, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragingpixel

I was reading that thinking "don't start it... don't start it... don't sta... DOH!"

Turbocharger compressors are made of aluminum - doesn't take much in the way of foreign objects to cause major carnage. If the dime stopped there and only tore up the compressor wheel, I'd count yourself lucky.

Yep!

The compressor can be dressed and rebalanced but, that is not a DIY job. Minor FOD, Foreign Object Damage, is routinely done at the field level.

Go to school here, pay your tuition. I'm going to bet a dealer or most shops will simply R&R the turbine compressor as a unit. You may be able to find a speed shop that will service just the compressor side. Buy a Reman'ed one worst case, there will be a substantial core charge. Do not let them start the new one dry.

For example here's one
http://gpopshop.com/services/rebuild...yAAEgIax_D_BwE

The Libertine · 05-20-2019, 02:08 PM

Definitely do not drive, and have towed to the dealer. Don’t want to make a bad situation any worse. And please don’t beat yourself up over dropping the dime. Any of us whoever worked on a car has at least one example of “what the heck was I thinking” in our memory.

Live and learn, and good luck in getting the situation sorted.

t04d · 05-20-2019, 02:57 PM

Appreciate the feedback guys! I went ahead and had a flat bed tow it over to a local BMW shop that I trust. I told them what happened and hope to hear back this afternoon. Will keep you guys posted on what I find out. Judging by the sound it made when the dime got sucked into the compressor yesterday I'm going to guess you guys are probably correct in stating the turbine is damaged.

The Libertine · 05-20-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t04d

Appreciate the feedback guys! I went ahead and had a flat bed tow it over to a local BMW shop that I trust. I told them what happened and hope to hear back this afternoon. Will keep you guys posted on what I find out. Judging by the sound it made when the dime got sucked into the compressor yesterday I'm going to guess you guys are probably correct in stating the turbine is damaged.

Good luck!

t04d · 05-20-2019, 05:20 PM

Update: The turbine is chewed to hell and the housing is bent. It was actually a penny, I guess the dime fell into the engine bay. Sad day.

Shop is recommending a new turbo - or potentially sending it somewhere to have them rebuild it. Any recommendations as far as places to send it to are welcome, as I have to assume that would be the cheapest way to handle this. I hate the thought of having to purchase a new turbo.

P1 · 05-20-2019, 07:29 PM

Did they quote or estimate what this will cost?

mrod81 · 05-20-2019, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

Did they quote or estimate what this will cost?

2500 for the turbo plus whatever on labor...I was quoted 3500 installed at my shop

t04d · 05-20-2019, 08:06 PM

So they didn't have a quote for me.. he's going to call back in the morning. I made a call to pure turbo to see what a rebuild would run and he told me $895 for the stage one. So my plan as of now is to tell my shop in the morning to pull the turbo and separate it to send to pure. They said they could rebuild it within a couple days of receiving it.

turboawd · 05-20-2019, 10:14 PM

Expensive lesson!

t04d · 05-20-2019, 10:20 PM

The biggest mistakes I've made in my life have led to the best learning experiences. In this case it will be an expensive one, but I can tell you I've learned something about trying to rush with something like this.

ragingpixel · 05-21-2019, 10:26 AM

Not sure which part of Texas you're in, but I would definitely recommend talking to Forced Performance - they're north of Dallas:

http://www.forcedperformance.net/tur...-rebuilds.html

Stock turbochargers on the N63TU (x50i) are Garrett MGT2256... not sure if x35i are the same.

Cbozz · 05-22-2019, 10:30 PM

I actually dropped a screw in my intake in my old 335 the N54 engine and I got a string with magnets at the end and dropped that in there and got the screw out! Not sure if it will work with a DIME...

t04d · 05-22-2019, 10:34 PM

Unfortunately they aren't magnetic.. also just learned today it was a dime and a penny that managed to fall in there. The turbo is currently separated and en route to pure turbos for a stage one rebuild. Hope to have her back up and running by the end of next week.

Russmov · 05-23-2019, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t04d

Unfortunately they aren't magnetic.. also just learned today it was a dime and a penny that managed to fall in there. The turbo is currently separated and en route to pure turbos for a stage one rebuild. Hope to have her back up and running by the end of next week.

Did ya at least get your .11 cents back?

crackerjack15 · 05-23-2019, 08:26 AM

What about the material that came off the mangled turbine blades? Guess where that went?

turboawd · 05-23-2019, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackerjack15

What about the material that came off the mangled turbine blades? Guess where that went?

Even if something were to pass the turbo, it probably wouldn't make it past the intercooler.

Reign2016 · 05-23-2019, 09:32 AM

probably just bent the blades, hopefully no material actually came loose.
On the bright side, reason to upgrade the turbo....

05-19-2019, 09:48 PM	#1
t04d Private 95 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Dropped a dime in the intake Featured on BIMMERPOST.com Hi guys, Sad to report that while changing the spark plugs earlier this afternoon and trying to move more quickly than I should I was using some loose change to get the clips off on the crankcase vent hose and one of the dimes slid out from the clip and somehow managed to go down the open piece of the plastic intake piping. I've attached a pic to give you guys a better idea, but this plastic pipe leads directly to the turbo, I believe it's the compressor side so it basically runs right into the compressor fan blade. Now when it dropped I didn't actually see it drop and I had no way to tell if it had actually gone into the tube or not so I decided to start it up and see if it just started making all kinds of noise. It didn't and I took it around the block and just under 4k rpm's I heard it squeal. Unfortunately, I had to just limp her home around 2k rpm's and park in garage and get ready to leave for the airport for a work trip. Plan to have my wife limp it over to the shop in the morning and let them know what stupid ass mistake I made, but wanted to post this here for learning purposes. Kind of wondering if any damage could have been caused to the compressor blade already, but we shall see. The CEL didn't come on so I thought that was a positive, but man I'm kicking myself on the airplane for this right now. Attached Images
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05-20-2019, 01:17 AM	#2
turboawd Banned 1636 Rep 2,995 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I would not drive it anymore. Have it towed. If the dime got lodged against one of the turbo fins, you may be lucky and just have the dime removed.
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05-20-2019, 05:50 AM	#3
P1 Lieutenant General 11568 Rep 11,135 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Agree with the aboy. You might have dodged a bullet. Tow it to the dealership and explain what happened. Keep us posted.
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05-20-2019, 09:44 AM	#4
CHECKERED ex deus machina 124 Rep 968 Posts Drives: G30, F15, Audi S4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern NH iTrader: (12)	make sure the dealer gives you back the dime __________________ Daily: G30 M550i, Bluestone, JB4, 1 step colder plugs, 6WB retrofit Winter Beast: Audi S4 4.2L V8, Supercharger, brakes, suspension & exhaust mods Wifes': F15 M50d clone, DUDMD tune, WMI, MPBK Gone: E92 335i N54 468rwtq
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05-20-2019, 09:56 AM	#5
ragingpixel New Member 27 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 50i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I was reading that thinking "don't start it... don't start it... don't sta... DOH!" Turbocharger compressors are made of aluminum - doesn't take much in the way of foreign objects to cause major carnage. If the dime stopped there and only tore up the compressor wheel, I'd count yourself lucky.
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Dropped a dime in the intake

05-20-2019, 02:08 PM	#7
The Libertine Major 1236 Rep 1,222 Posts Drives: 2021 Porsche Macan Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: South East, MA iTrader: (0)	Definitely do not drive, and have towed to the dealer. Don’t want to make a bad situation any worse. And please don’t beat yourself up over dropping the dime. Any of us whoever worked on a car has at least one example of “what the heck was I thinking” in our memory. Live and learn, and good luck in getting the situation sorted.
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05-20-2019, 02:57 PM	#8
t04d Private 95 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Appreciate the feedback guys! I went ahead and had a flat bed tow it over to a local BMW shop that I trust. I told them what happened and hope to hear back this afternoon. Will keep you guys posted on what I find out. Judging by the sound it made when the dime got sucked into the compressor yesterday I'm going to guess you guys are probably correct in stating the turbine is damaged.
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05-20-2019, 05:20 PM	#10
t04d Private 95 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Update: The turbine is chewed to hell and the housing is bent. It was actually a penny, I guess the dime fell into the engine bay. Sad day. Shop is recommending a new turbo - or potentially sending it somewhere to have them rebuild it. Any recommendations as far as places to send it to are welcome, as I have to assume that would be the cheapest way to handle this. I hate the thought of having to purchase a new turbo.
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05-20-2019, 07:29 PM	#11
P1 Lieutenant General 11568 Rep 11,135 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Did they quote or estimate what this will cost?
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05-20-2019, 08:06 PM	#13
t04d Private 95 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	So they didn't have a quote for me.. he's going to call back in the morning. I made a call to pure turbo to see what a rebuild would run and he told me $895 for the stage one. So my plan as of now is to tell my shop in the morning to pull the turbo and separate it to send to pure. They said they could rebuild it within a couple days of receiving it.
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05-20-2019, 10:14 PM	#14
turboawd Banned 1636 Rep 2,995 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Expensive lesson!
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05-20-2019, 10:20 PM	#15
t04d Private 95 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	The biggest mistakes I've made in my life have led to the best learning experiences. In this case it will be an expensive one, but I can tell you I've learned something about trying to rush with something like this.
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05-21-2019, 10:26 AM	#16
ragingpixel New Member 27 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 50i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Not sure which part of Texas you're in, but I would definitely recommend talking to Forced Performance - they're north of Dallas: http://www.forcedperformance.net/tur...-rebuilds.html Stock turbochargers on the N63TU (x50i) are Garrett MGT2256... not sure if x35i are the same. Last edited by ragingpixel; 05-21-2019 at 10:42 AM..
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05-22-2019, 10:30 PM	#17
Cbozz Colonel 689 Rep 2,716 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Florida/ St. Louis iTrader: (27) Garage List 2016 BMW X5M [0.00] 08 BMW M3 [0.00] 14 BMW X5 50i - sold [0.00] 09 BMW 335i - Sold [0.00] 09 BMW 328i - Sold [0.00] 07 BMW 328i - Sold [0.00]	I actually dropped a screw in my intake in my old 335 the N54 engine and I got a string with magnets at the end and dropped that in there and got the screw out! Not sure if it will work with a DIME... __________________ Evolve, Eisenmann, Strasse, StopTech, Active Autowerke
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05-22-2019, 10:34 PM	#18
t04d Private 95 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately they aren't magnetic.. also just learned today it was a dime and a penny that managed to fall in there. The turbo is currently separated and en route to pure turbos for a stage one rebuild. Hope to have her back up and running by the end of next week.
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05-23-2019, 08:26 AM	#20
crackerjack15 Captain 840 Rep 993 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 50e Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: West Virginia iTrader: (0)	What about the material that came off the mangled turbine blades? Guess where that went?
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05-23-2019, 09:32 AM	#22
Reign2016 Private 39 Rep 56 Posts Drives: space gray xDrive35i MSport Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	probably just bent the blades, hopefully no material actually came loose. On the bright side, reason to upgrade the turbo....
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