Does your BMW have a turbocharged engine? If yes, then you should watch out for wastegate issues in your car as it could lead to a decrease in engine performance and even more serious complications.

A wastegate is an essential part of your car’s turbo that helps to keep the engine running. However, if there is any issue with the wastegate, either due to physical damage or thermal stress, things could go south with your car’s engine. Hence, you need to properly identify signs of a failing wastegate so you can get your car some help before things get worse.

What is a Wastegate and How Does it Work?

A turbocharger helps to improve the performance of vehicles, and it works with other components including the wastegate. Your car’s turbo increases air intake to improve combustion in the engine which leads to better performance. This process could generate high pressure, as well as exhaust gasses, that could be detrimental to the engine’s function.

The wastegate, in this case, helps to deal with this situation by opening its valves to release the pressure formed and also let out exhaust gasses from the turbine into the exhaust system. In essence, the wastegate controls boost pressures and also controls how the engine functions.

If you want to increase your car’s speed and performance, you need the wastegate’s valves closed to avoid losing boost/pressure from the system. However, these valves should be open if you want less speed or power.

Signs that Indicate a Wastegate Problem in Your BMW

The following signs are your car telling you that its wastegate could be having issues.

1. Decreased fuel economy

One key function of a turbocharger is to improve engine performance, which would in turn boost fuel economy. If you, however, notice that your BMW now consumes more fuel than usual even with less performance than you are used to, then there could be a problem with your car’s wastegate.

A wastegate problem in your car could cause overboosting or underboosting, both of which can affect fuel consumption. Overboosting means more fuel in the system, making you use more fuel than necessary. Underboosting, on the other hand, would affect combustion, also causing a reduction in fuel economy.

2. Illuminated “Check Engine” Light

While a check engine light on your car’s dashboard could mean many things, one of the things it could be indicating is a faulty wastegate. An incorrect pressure gauge showing that the wastegate is not working properly would trigger the check engine light as soon as the Engine Control Unit receives the signal of the fault. This means you have to look into the issue immediately so your car’s engine does not suffer.

3. Reduced performance

If your car starts to perform poorly with low speed or power, even with an installed turbo, it could mean that the wastegate in the turbo is faulty. If the valves in the wastegate remain open at the wrong time, then pressure is lost from the turbine and this could reduce engine efficiency, causing low performance and poor acceleration.

4. Engine overheating

Along with reduced engine performance, if your car’s engine starts to overheat, it could be an indication of a fault in the turbo’s wastegate. This usually happens when the wastegate’s valves are closed for a long period and there is a build-up of pressure. This leads to more stress on the engine, causing it to overheat.

5. Higher Gas Emissions

If your car’s wastegate is bad, another sign you will notice is an increase in its emissions. A bad wastegate can cause incomplete fuel combustion due to too much or too little boosting. The result of this is the emission of certain pollutants.

Where to Repair a BMW’s Wastegate Problem in Woodinville?

A faulty wastegate in your car’s turbo needs immediate attention to avoid putting too much stress on the engine, which could lead to engine failure. A visit to an automobile shop close to you can help to find a lasting fix to the issue.

Woodinville Sports Cars should be your go-to Auto repair shop if you stay in Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mill Creek, Monroe, Redmond, Snohomish, or Woodinville. We have a team of experienced workers who can offer the best repair services to help get your BMW back on the road with the best speed and performance. So, bring your car down to us today.