Turbo Problems

[BO55VXR]

OK...it's another "My friend has a problem" - Here's what he sent to me - any ideas.

<font color="blue">My car is a VW Beetle 1.9TDi on a 2003 plate; full service history from, and maintained by, two VW dealers; current mileage is just over 66,000.

At its last service (61,000 miles - just out of warranty) my dealer indicated that a problem with the Turbo waste-gate was responsible for a low-rev grumbling noise that I thought might be a clutch thrust bearing.

Delaer said it wasn't critical, but would costme for them to investigate and subsequently rectify - as nothing dramatic happened, I forgot about it until this week.

Coming home down the A40 on Tuesday, on changing lane I heard a noise that sounded like shingle moving with water as waves return to the sea from the beach.

I though initially it was a carrier bag in the boot moving around, but then noticed that I no longer had any acceleration - though I was moving at around 65mph, the usual oomph that's always been there was missing, and getting my Bug up to 70mph was something of a trial.

I wondered whether I should call the RAC, but figured that the car was still moving and there were no other flashing or warning lights, so I'd keep heading home until I absolutely had to stop.

I also couldn't hear the familiar Turbo-whistle, so I figured something in that area is to blame.

Off the motorway, there was little torque and that whistle has definitely stopped - as, strangely, has the low-rev grumbling noise. She's now driving more like a diesel van than my TDi.

I'm expecting to have to replace the Turbocharger - no clue what that entails, or how much it's likely to cost (I'm quoted £75 per hour from my dealer to fix it).</font>

[allroadman]

Sounds like a costly problem, most likely a new turbo. Only thing you could try is getting some good will payment towards the majority of the cost or ideally the full cost. You have rights under the sale and supply of goods to consumers regulations 2002. regardless of the car being out of warranty( there is a 6 year statute under that act) It is down to would a " reasonable person " expect a Turbo to go on a car at 60 000 miles ? It is worth the effort if you get most if not all of your costs back. You have taken every care to keep your vehicle maintained to the manufacturers standard. good luck!

[Se5aScott]

Wastegates can be internal or external. Rectifying an internal one will probably be a lot more expensive than an external one.

I doubt you will have much luck getting any help from the dealer, I would recommend you look for an independent turbo specialist even if it is just for a quote.

[Rustynuts]

There is no wastegate on that car. The turbo has a Variable Nozzle Turbine system, and it's possible that this has siezed. However, the noise like shingles in water sounds more like a split tubo hose and the boost is being lost through the split. It's also possible that there's a vaccuum pipe split which will render the VNT system inoperable, but I'd look for a split boost pipe first.

[BO55VXR]

[ QUOTE ]

There is no wastegate on that car. The turbo has a Variable Nozzle Turbine system, and it's possible that this has siezed. However, the noise like shingles in water sounds more like a split tubo hose and the boost is being lost through the split. It's also possible that there's a vaccuum pipe split which will render the VNT system inoperable, but I'd look for a split boost pipe first.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good call... Exactly the problem as it turned out.. £100 all in.

Thanks

[Rustynuts]

Good stuff.