2012 n26 Gradual Loss of Power

Rosodigital · 09-05-2023, 03:41 AM

I have a 2012 328i with around 130k. I replaced a leaky, blown turbo a while back and all was fine, one day when the car was not fully warmed up, I accelerated from a light and got a surge of boost, in the middle of that I could hear and feel a noticeable retardation in power. After that the car felt like it had lost around 25-30hp.

Fast forward to about a year later the car feels very sluggish and lacks power. Sometime it feels stronger than others but in general it feels like it’s making around 180-200hp. Recently it’s been getting worse and I’ve noticed that it’s using a lot more fuel for the same amount of driving. The turbo still spools and makes all the turbo noises. There is no smoke from the tailpipe like before when old turbo went.

I have no lights, no error codes, NOTHING! Occasionally if I just get in cold and start driving immediately it will go limp and throw a drivetrain malfunction that is remedied by powering down and back up. I have fairly new coils, injectors. I don’t remember when I last changed plugs but it was in the last 15-25k. I also have not yet changed my high pressure fuel pump.

I’ve checked for boost leaks, I can’t really see much that would be a dead giveaway though I have noted some minor blow by around where charged are meets the motor or intercooler. I’ve changed all the o-rings, double checked the turbo, hoses, everything I can and can’t figure out what could be the problem. ista and my bmw specific reader tell me nothing. The car starts and runs great. Smooth idle, smooth driving, just lacking a bunch of acceleration. Thoughts

fe7565 · 09-05-2023, 04:40 AM

This is not a solution for a potential problem your car may have, but a low hanging fruit to try: use ISTA and reset your transmission adaptations and CAN bonding relationships, and also reset the DME.

Rosodigital · 09-05-2023, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fe7565

This is not a solution for a potential problem your car may have, but a low hanging fruit to try: use ISTA and reset your transmission adaptations and CAN bonding relationships, and also reset the DME.

I will definitely try that!

09-05-2023, 03:41 AM	#1
Rosodigital New Member 3 Rep 9 Posts Drives: F30 / F10 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	2012 n26 Gradual Loss of Power I have a 2012 328i with around 130k. I replaced a leaky, blown turbo a while back and all was fine, one day when the car was not fully warmed up, I accelerated from a light and got a surge of boost, in the middle of that I could hear and feel a noticeable retardation in power. After that the car felt like it had lost around 25-30hp. Fast forward to about a year later the car feels very sluggish and lacks power. Sometime it feels stronger than others but in general it feels like it’s making around 180-200hp. Recently it’s been getting worse and I’ve noticed that it’s using a lot more fuel for the same amount of driving. The turbo still spools and makes all the turbo noises. There is no smoke from the tailpipe like before when old turbo went. I have no lights, no error codes, NOTHING! Occasionally if I just get in cold and start driving immediately it will go limp and throw a drivetrain malfunction that is remedied by powering down and back up. I have fairly new coils, injectors. I don’t remember when I last changed plugs but it was in the last 15-25k. I also have not yet changed my high pressure fuel pump. I’ve checked for boost leaks, I can’t really see much that would be a dead giveaway though I have noted some minor blow by around where charged are meets the motor or intercooler. I’ve changed all the o-rings, double checked the turbo, hoses, everything I can and can’t figure out what could be the problem. ista and my bmw specific reader tell me nothing. The car starts and runs great. Smooth idle, smooth driving, just lacking a bunch of acceleration. Thoughts __________________ 2016 F10 2012 F30 2014 E84 2006 Honda S2000
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09-05-2023, 04:40 AM	#2
fe7565 Lieutenant Colonel 553 Rep 1,582 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 328i N26 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	This is not a solution for a potential problem your car may have, but a low hanging fruit to try: use ISTA and reset your transmission adaptations and CAN bonding relationships, and also reset the DME. __________________ Help each other: if you manage to fix your issue (especially with help from this forum), don't be a d*ck and disappear. Follow-up by posting the solution so you can help others.
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