TDI90 turbo failure - fix or don't fix? - undecided.

K

Kennedy

A2OC Donor
Hi all,

In January I started a thread called 'Another TDI90 limp mode sufferer' following fairly consistent limp mode problems on my 90. I hadn't been hugely concerned about it until it happened again (on the way home from MOT!) but this time stayed in what seemed like limp mode.

Long story short, following some advice from the forum and on further examination, I discovered it was actually turbo failure with the lever on the turbo jammed in the down position. Yeah yeah, I know, common story VNT on the 90 but I really didn't imagine I'd be writing that mine was dead as it's already been replaced once.

A few things to note on this car before I go on;

- Prior to the turbo issue this car has been fantastic, 34,000 trouble free miles in just less than 2 years of my ownership - no breakdowns or unexpected problems. The car pulled really well and was an absolute joy to drive. Car is currently on 139K.

- The factory turbo replaced already on this car cost a previous owner of over 2K with all the other work at the time, this was only 57,000 miles ago. The work was done by a specialist and was fairly detailed and extensive. I really thought I was in the clear on the turbo, at least for another 30/40K...

- The car has some nice parts and upgrades fitted, the most notable being completely replaced suspension components with STX coilovers, all Alloy intercooler, completely replaced rear ATE brakes, calipers and all components and Votex kit (with all original covers!)

- Since the turbo failed I've taken the car out to listen for any engine issues because I decided early on that if it had swallowed any metal I would likely find out quite soon and that would make my decision easier. The car is still running and driving without major noises or rattles, so potentially it is repairable.

- There are a few negatives with this car, the bodykit could do with repainting, the Climate control is temperamental, the battery is duff, and there is a slight oil leak somewhere at the back of the engine...


As I've never actually introduced the car on the forum or made it to a social, here's a couple of picture's so you can see how it looks. I was saving for a proper car write up thread but this may be the only time I get to show the car, plus it helps illustrate my dilemma as it doesn't look half bad:

haPW7pu.jpg

QDuzgIl.jpg


So...

I still don't know what to do to be honest, I have some ball park figures on fitting a new turbo (considerably north of £1000 whichever way you look at it) and that doesn't guarantee me a working car of course even if I take the leap. I think what concerns me most is that this will be the 3rd turbo going on this car and if it turns out to be more terminal than just the turbo again this time around, I could be looking at close to the 2K mark....add that to what I've already put into this car it just doesn't stack up.

6 weeks ago I was thinking seriously about removing all the good stuff; suspension, alloy intercooler, votex etc... and moving the car on for parts or repair, but when I stick my head in the garage I still look at the car and think it's probably too good to split, even though it's a long way from show perfect.

If I do decide to go ahead with work I'd welcome any advice on what other things could be replaced/renewed/serviced at the same time as the turbo replacement. If it's having some major work completed I really don't want it to be back in for some cheap and easy part that could have gone in when the turbo was done!

I also have a bit of an issue with moving the car, I've been getting some online quotes in but they are well over a hundred quid for a jouney one way to a garage such as WOM, which I can't really afford to do on top of the main anticipated costs... plus with the car being very low I'd like to help load and unload to avoid my votex kit eating the tarmac...
If anyone has any ideas about economically moving my A2 from Coventry to a garage in the coming weeks, please let me know.


Cheers for reading this slightly wordy post!

Kennedy.
 
I had a similar problem with my wife’s Mercedes. Regularly missing and going into limp home mode. The turbo was stuck in one position.
There was nothing wrong with the turbo, no failure, no bits in engine, it just needed a reconditioned actuator. Can’t be certain about price but approximately £50.
Is there any possibility there could be s similar problem/ fix for an Audi? We could safely drive the car providing we were easy on the gas.
 
Ditto!
A stunning car. Great colour (though I am biased) and looks so much better than mine with the votex and 17" wheels.
I hope you can sort the turbo out and keep the car running.
Best regards
Steve M
 
It's only a matter of cleaning the VNT mechanism. Take the turbo off the car and get it overhauled for probably about £200-£300. Don't try cleaning it in situ.

RAB
 
It would be a crying shame to see this one going for parts. I'm surprised at your quote of over £100 to take the car from Coventry to WOM. Try anyvan.co.uk
 
Whatever you do, don't buy a new turbo from Audi! Some years ago I bought a replacement turbo from here:

https://www.turbodynamics.co.uk/

for my Lupo 3L (the shaft was broken during an MOT!). It was about 1/2 the Audi price. If possible they will also repair your existing turbo.

RAB
 
Cheers for the flurry of early responses and positive comments on the car.

philward said:
I had a similar problem with my wife’s Mercedes. Regularly missing and going into limp home mode. The turbo was stuck in one position.
There was nothing wrong with the turbo, no failure, no bits in engine, it just needed a reconditioned actuator. Can’t be certain about price but approximately £50.
Is there any possibility there could be s similar problem/ fix for an Audi? We could safely drive the car providing we were easy on the gas.
Click to expand...

Thanks philward, fairly sure the actuator is okay although I've not done any proper tests on the vacuum. In diagnosing the problem I did disconnect the VNT from the turbo and found that it operates smoothly by hand but the lever on the turbo that operates the vanes is definitely jammed and won't budge... I was hoping for it to be an actuator problem, but no such luck!

Thanks for the link for a man with a van Steve, I'll run a few more quotes today...

RAB said:
It's only a matter of cleaning the VNT mechanism. Take the turbo off the car and get it overhauled for probably about £200-£300. Don't try cleaning it in situ.

RAB
Click to expand...

Cheers Rab, If I had a bit more time I would definitely have a go at getting the turbo off myself and send off for cleaning/repair and then refit, but I think if it's going to get fixed anytime soon it'll have to go to a professional. But yeah, I would hope that it can be cleaned and refurbished being as it's only covered 57K, the body of the turbo should be in good shape if it's not had any major internal damage, but I guess you don't know until you're up to your elbows in oil. Cheers for the link to another source for a new turbo should I need one.


So if the car does go in for the turbo fix, is there any other parts worth renewing, servicing or upgrading at the same time?

Kennedy.
 
Stealth Racing over in Southam might be able to do you a good price and much closer than WOM.
Waaay too nice to break though. If you did want to pass it on, pass it on as it is. Someone can save it :)

Cov - Southam is a towable distance too ;)
 
Sorry to read of the problems, i know the feeling your going through as we're are having our fair share of engine troubles on our 1.4 petrol A2. After reading i would get whatever garage you use to perhaps look into why the turbo has gone so quickly at 57K miles. Just seams odd to me and should be looked into as a precaution if nothing else.

As has already been said, the car is way too good to part out, it looks a stunner in the pics to me. As with our 1.4 engine problems and like your car, our car is way too good and highly specced to not deal with the problem. Once it's looked at by one of the professional already been mentioned i'm sure the car can be brought back to health quite easily and you can go back to enjoying your Striking looking car. Long may it live on all the best Mark.
 
Cheers for garage recommendations. I'm aware of the positive reviews of both WOM and Stealth and I've used Stealth for work on my brakes quite recently and they did do a great job.

Don't worry the car isn't going to be parted out just yet, I am aware how mental that seems!
I was mainly talking about removing some of the new and modified parts I've added to refit the old bits before selling it on as a whole car for someone else to do something with, whether that be fix it or dismantle it. Even with all the cool bits taken off it probably is still too good to break.

I'll sleep on it, make some calls tomorrow.

Kennedy.
 
I agree with statements above about diesels on short journeys but I've been using my A2 for 200-300 miles a week for over 18 months so didn't expect it to go really. Of course I don't know what kind of life the car was leading prior to that.

I think the other factor might be that in most recent months, whilst still doing a lot of regular motorway miles with it, I'd not been driving it quite as hard because of the leaky intercooler... It was still getting a fairly good blast but I was letting off a bit to avoid it going into limp mode. Potentially that hasn't helped and some extra crud has built up over that time.

Just wondering if even on long journeys perhaps it doesn't help the turbo to just sit at 65/70mph for the same reason, ie. not getting the regular periods of boost needed to keep everything cleared out and coke free?

Drive em' hard I think is the moral of the story, forget about your mpg figure ;)

Kennedy.
 
johnyfartbox said:
An Italian tune up works wonders for any Diesel that only does short journeys, try it.
Click to expand...

Doesn't work for a VNT turbo. The only solution is to dismantle and clean.

In my experience, driving hard is unnecessary. Getting the turbo up to normal temperature for most journeys is more important.

RAB
 
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