N55 Charge pipe blew off

bung206 · 06-09-2018, 10:46 PM

When setting off briskly from the lights I heard what sounded like a pop then the a drone from the engine bay.

Closer inspection shows the charge pipe that goes into the throttle body has blown off. Car is a 2011 135i (N55) with 50k miles on it. Fully stock, no mods at all. Interestingly, no fault codes had come up and I was able to very carefully limp back home.

I googled this, its happened to a few people (although they mostly seemed to have mods).

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=13_1357

Is Part # 23 the one I need? I had a quick look on ebay, pelican etc and it looks like this thing is worth close to 2-300? Isn't that kinda steep for a relatively short plastic pipe? Or am I missing something?

YearOneOne · 06-10-2018, 08:33 AM

That is what you need and it has the letters bmw associated with it so that's why it is $300 you're better off buying a cheap aftermarket metal one.

StuP · 06-10-2018, 08:50 AM

There's always duct tape..... I mean, it's a duct.......

HODLM · 06-10-2018, 09:07 AM

These are known to blow off. I strongly suggest buying an upgraded charge pipe from a tuner like ActiveAutowerke. Check x-hp.com and look for a discount code.

bung206 · 06-10-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

That is what you need and it has the letters bmw associated with it so that's why it is $300 you're better off buying a cheap aftermarket metal one.

“Cheap” is a relative term - even the cheap aftermarket parts coming up in my searches are turning up are $200

https://www.cobbtuning.com/products/...ck-charge-pipe

Will that one do the job?

X-hp.com does not load for me.

YearOneOne · 06-10-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bung206

Quote:

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

That is what you need and it has the letters bmw associated with it so that's why it is $300 you're better off buying a cheap aftermarket metal one.

“Cheap” is a relative term - even the cheap aftermarket parts coming up in my searches are turning up are $200

https://www.cobbtuning.com/products/cooling/bmw-n55-black-charge-pipe

Will that one do the job?

X-hp.com does not load for me.

If you have an n55 then yes

Dackelone · 06-10-2018, 06:22 PM

A cracked or blown off CP is pretty common on N55's. It's a "known" failure point.

I would get a good aftermarket metal CP.

HODLM · 06-10-2018, 07:04 PM

My mistake, it's x-ph.com

bung206 · 06-17-2018, 10:29 PM

Ok, I Now have a replacement charge pipe but of course it doesn't come with that damn c-clip.

The "Kit" comes with the pipe itself, a silicone joiner, 2 hose clamps and some bolts but not the most critical part which in my case blew off the system when it failed.

Rang the stealer "you can't buy the clip by itself, its part of the pipe"

Where can I get this c-clip from?

bung206 · 06-17-2018, 11:00 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-FTP...Yzz~n#shpCntId

I don't think I have ever felt so cheated.

YearOneOne · 06-18-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bung206

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-FTP...Yzz~n#shpCntId

I don't think I have ever felt so cheated.

Freaking 25 bucks wow tell em kiss your ass

elitesales305 · 06-18-2018, 10:54 AM

just use the clamp off your broken one..

TridenTBoy · 06-18-2018, 06:16 PM

Use clamp and o-rings from the old one. That's what I did.

Don't recommend the phoenix one. It's a real PITA to get in. I'd go with one that is really well made for the N55. You'll save yourself some frustration. Definitely buy a new metal one. Try to do a pressure test, if you have an air compressor.

bung206 · 06-18-2018, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

Freaking 25 bucks wow tell em kiss your ass

I'm out of options. The clip isn't readily available from BMW, and the N55 cars are too new to be found in any quantity at the junk yard so no hope of getting it from a wrecked car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elitesales305

just use the clamp off your broken one..

Can't, when my charge pipe exploded catastrophically it flew off as I mentioned a few posts up. I haven't taken the under body protection off as yet but odds are very good it's on the road somewhere where this happened which was over 100 miles from home.

I just want a close to OEM replacement, now I've had to piss away $150 on an "aftermarket" aluminium charge pipe (which for me is a total waste since I don't "Tune" my cars anyway) and I'm going to get stung another for $20-$30 for a hose clip

tracer bullet · 06-18-2018, 07:51 PM

I'd check the plastic tray underneath, I think you might be surprised what collects on it. It's a PITA but I predict you'll find your part. If not then... yeah, situation sucks.

I checked the realoem site and not surprisingly it shows as part of the pipe itself, just like BMW. ECS doesn't have it either. Dang.

captain slowly · 06-19-2018, 07:02 PM

how about another angle. Why don't you return the aluminum one and go buy a OEM one from BMW? It lasted 7 years, so why wouldn't the new one last 7 more considering you wont tune it? It'll fit better than the aftermarket, and chances are you wont keep the car 7 more years anyway, so why screw around with parts that don't really fit?

bung206 · 06-19-2018, 08:08 PM

Because the BMW one is 3x the price of the aftermarket options.

It "fits" just fine, it's just that my clip blew off. I guess most people would willingly go out and replace their working charge pipe versus people like me who's charge pipe blew off and fragmented into bits in the middle of boonies?

It says you are supposed to "reuse your existing clip for the new charge pipe".

That's life though right? Sometimes you do the fucking, other times you get fucked.

captain slowly · 06-20-2018, 05:46 AM

I don't know about 3 times more, but it is $100 more https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...717599294.html so that probably makes it a moot point, and probably invalid in upside down land. Carry on.

bung206 · 08-28-2018, 07:09 PM

Ok, I have finally gotten around to fixing this.

Unfortunately, neither the extortionately priced eBay clip I ordered NOR my OEM one (I ended up finding wedged in some wiring harness) seem to fit my new charge pipe.

Is this user error, or is this the wrong kind of clip? I mean the seller assured me the "OEM one would fit".

icegrill · 08-29-2018, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bung206

Ok, I have finally gotten around to fixing this.

Unfortunately, neither the extortionately priced eBay clip I ordered NOR my OEM one (I ended up finding wedged in some wiring harness) seem to fit my new charge pipe.

Is this user error, or is this the wrong kind of clip? I mean the seller assured me the "OEM one would fit".

Yes! It goes on the exterior of the pipe. Little arms facing away from the throttle body

BimmerAg · 08-29-2018, 04:40 PM

Yep, here's how to install it correctly!
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...4&postcount=12

bung206 · 08-30-2018, 03:37 PM

Ok it’s fixed now. Removing the old pop was easy but installing the new one was a bitch. I had to remove the air box, power steering reservoir and finally managed to wrestle it into place. Takes a ton of force to get the pipe fitted on the throttle body.

06-09-2018, 10:46 PM	#1
bung206 Private 35 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E82 135i MSPORT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	N55 Charge pipe blew off When setting off briskly from the lights I heard what sounded like a pop then the a drone from the engine bay. Closer inspection shows the charge pipe that goes into the throttle body has blown off. Car is a 2011 135i (N55) with 50k miles on it. Fully stock, no mods at all. Interestingly, no fault codes had come up and I was able to very carefully limp back home. I googled this, its happened to a few people (although they mostly seemed to have mods). http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=13_1357 Is Part # 23 the one I need? I had a quick look on ebay, pelican etc and it looks like this thing is worth close to 2-300? Isn't that kinda steep for a relatively short plastic pipe? Or am I missing something? Attached Images
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06-10-2018, 08:33 AM	#2
YearOneOne Captain 361 Rep 727 Posts Drives: 13 135i mineral grey Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	That is what you need and it has the letters bmw associated with it so that's why it is $300 you're better off buying a cheap aftermarket metal one.
	Appreciate 1 The Wind Breezes911.50 Quote

06-10-2018, 08:50 AM	#3
StuP Private First Class 95 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2018 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	There's always duct tape..... I mean, it's a duct.......
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06-10-2018, 09:07 AM	#4
HODLM First Lieutenant 364 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 2018 M2/AW/6MT; '16 X5 Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Miami, Fl. iTrader: (0)	These are known to blow off. I strongly suggest buying an upgraded charge pipe from a tuner like ActiveAutowerke. Check x-hp.com and look for a discount code.
	Appreciate 2 Dackelone10538.50 elitesales305383.00 Quote

06-10-2018, 06:22 PM	#7
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	A cracked or blown off CP is pretty common on N55's. It's a "known" failure point. I would get a good aftermarket metal CP. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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06-10-2018, 07:04 PM	#8
HODLM First Lieutenant 364 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 2018 M2/AW/6MT; '16 X5 Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Miami, Fl. iTrader: (0)	My mistake, it's x-ph.com
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06-17-2018, 10:29 PM	#9
bung206 Private 35 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E82 135i MSPORT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Ok, I Now have a replacement charge pipe but of course it doesn't come with that damn c-clip. The "Kit" comes with the pipe itself, a silicone joiner, 2 hose clamps and some bolts but not the most critical part which in my case blew off the system when it failed. Rang the stealer "you can't buy the clip by itself, its part of the pipe" Where can I get this c-clip from? Attached Images
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06-17-2018, 11:00 PM	#10
bung206 Private 35 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E82 135i MSPORT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-FTP...Yzz~n#shpCntId I don't think I have ever felt so cheated.
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06-18-2018, 10:54 AM	#12
elitesales305 shmo 383 Rep 1,026 Posts Drives: honda Join Date: May 2017 Location: no where iTrader: (0)	just use the clamp off your broken one.. __________________ No sig
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06-18-2018, 06:16 PM	#13
TridenTBoy First Lieutenant 127 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135is Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 135is [0.00]	Use clamp and o-rings from the old one. That's what I did. Don't recommend the phoenix one. It's a real PITA to get in. I'd go with one that is really well made for the N55. You'll save yourself some frustration. Definitely buy a new metal one. Try to do a pressure test, if you have an air compressor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-18-2018, 07:51 PM	#15
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2412 Rep 3,548 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	I'd check the plastic tray underneath, I think you might be surprised what collects on it. It's a PITA but I predict you'll find your part. If not then... yeah, situation sucks. I checked the realoem site and not surprisingly it shows as part of the pipe itself, just like BMW. ECS doesn't have it either. Dang.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2018, 07:02 PM	#16
captain slowly I like turtles! 726 Rep 698 Posts Drives: '21 M2C 6MT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	how about another angle. Why don't you return the aluminum one and go buy a OEM one from BMW? It lasted 7 years, so why wouldn't the new one last 7 more considering you wont tune it? It'll fit better than the aftermarket, and chances are you wont keep the car 7 more years anyway, so why screw around with parts that don't really fit?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2018, 08:08 PM	#17
bung206 Private 35 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E82 135i MSPORT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Because the BMW one is 3x the price of the aftermarket options. It "fits" just fine, it's just that my clip blew off. I guess most people would willingly go out and replace their working charge pipe versus people like me who's charge pipe blew off and fragmented into bits in the middle of boonies? It says you are supposed to "reuse your existing clip for the new charge pipe". That's life though right? Sometimes you do the fucking, other times you get fucked.
	Appreciate 1 Esteban43688.00 Quote

06-20-2018, 05:46 AM	#18
captain slowly I like turtles! 726 Rep 698 Posts Drives: '21 M2C 6MT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I don't know about 3 times more, but it is $100 more https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...717599294.html so that probably makes it a moot point, and probably invalid in upside down land. Carry on.
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08-28-2018, 07:09 PM	#19
bung206 Private 35 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E82 135i MSPORT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Ok, I have finally gotten around to fixing this. Unfortunately, neither the extortionately priced eBay clip I ordered NOR my OEM one (I ended up finding wedged in some wiring harness) seem to fit my new charge pipe. Is this user error, or is this the wrong kind of clip? I mean the seller assured me the "OEM one would fit". Attached Images
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08-29-2018, 04:40 PM	#21
BimmerAg Lieutenant 425 Rep 545 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: May 2017 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Yep, here's how to install it correctly! https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...4&postcount=12 __________________ 2011 BMW 135i ///M-Sport, DCT Bilstein B12 kit, Dinan camber plates, M3 front control arms, Whiteline poly RSFB, MHD Stage 1, cp-e Charge Pipe, H&R Front sway bar, BMW performance diffuser
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08-30-2018, 03:37 PM	#22
bung206 Private 35 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E82 135i MSPORT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Ok it’s fixed now. Removing the old pop was easy but installing the new one was a bitch. I had to remove the air box, power steering reservoir and finally managed to wrestle it into place. Takes a ton of force to get the pipe fitted on the throttle body.
	Appreciate 0 Quote