Is my VW Touran Turbo about to blow?

thesea

Brought My 2006 VW Touran TDI about 18 months ago and even when I test drove it I noticed an loud turbo whistle. It was cheep so brought anyway.

15,000 miles on and the whistle (Or Turbo Wheeze) is still there. I have had it checked out a few times and noone can visibly see anything wrong with it.

So I last week I drove at about 70mph and the Touran did not like it, I put foot to the floor but it did not respond, I limped on at 50mph. Later that day the power can back but the 'Emisions Garage' warning had been triggered.

Also the oil light came on. I have changed the oil just 5 months ago so was suprised it was low so topped up. I noticed spots of oil on the floor where I had parked. On inspection there is a lot of oil under the car around sump and pipes.

It had its MOT the next day which it got through no problem as the mechanic cleared the warnings but recommended I get a full diagnostic as he thought the Turbo was playing up given the noise.

I could not get it sorted the day of the MOT as I was going away for a week. Now back and need to sort the car.

When I rev the engine to the max when stationary it whistles and then eventually splutters towards the end when the revs slow.

I am using the Touran daily but trying not to push the turbo too much by driving steady and not under strain.

A turbo replacement cost a fortune that I do not have. Any ideas about the cheapest way around this?

Would you buy a reconditioned Turbo or buy new?

Should I try a DPf cleaner first?

Any advise appreciated!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Turbo whistle could be caused by boost leaks. so before condemning the turbo, start the car, and listen to it idle with the bonnet open and carefully listening to the engine, if you hear a "hissing" sound or similar then I would look for the pipe that is either split cracked and leaking through clamp fitting or loose etc before condemning your turbo.

facade

If it is using a lot of oil then it is likely coming out of the turbo bearings.


Probably the intercooler is filling up with oil and restricting the airflow. (Or, you could have an internally collapsed hose before the turbo causing a restriction)


One day there will be enough leaking oil about for the engine to run off it, when it will rev itself to destruction unless you can block the inlet sufficiently to stop it quickly enough. (I doubt if you would manage to stall it)


Get someone to look at the turbo, if the seals & bearings are shot you need a new/recon one very soon.

George_Michael

thesea wrote: »

Any advise appreciated!

Advice No1.
Check the oil level far more often than once every 5 months and don't wait until the oil light comes on to do this.

thesea wrote: »

Also the oil light came on. I have changed the oil just 5 months ago so was suprised it was low so topped up. I noticed spots of oil on the floor where I had parked. On inspection there is a lot of oil under the car around sump and pipes

Advice No2.
When driving at the maximum permitted speed, don't put the accelerator to the floor to see what happens, especially in a vehicle that you know has a problem with the engine.

thesea wrote: »

So I last week I drove at about 70mph and the Touran did not like it, I put foot to the floor but it did not respond, I limped on at 50mph. Later that day the power can back but the 'Emisions Garage' warning had been triggered.

arcon5

Sounds very much like turbo to me. And at the point it's at you could be at risk of it going completely and blowing up your engine.

peter12345678910

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

Turbo whistle could be caused by boost leaks. so before condemning the turbo, start the car, and listen to it idle with the bonnet open and carefully listening to the engine, if you hear a "hissing" sound or similar then I would look for the pipe that is either split cracked and leaking through clamp fitting or loose etc before condemning your turbo.

I think this is good advice but you can use a screw driver or this to locate the whistle:

Automatic Vehicle Mechanics Stethoscope Engine Block Diagnostic Hearing&ws
Your pick
£3.47

System

thesea wrote: »

A turbo replacement cost a fortune that I do not have. Any ideas about the cheapest way around this?

Would you buy a reconditioned Turbo or buy new?

Should I try a DPf cleaner first?

Any advise appreciated!

Turbos are so commonplace in vehicles today that you can buy refurbished guaranteed ones for a couple of hundred quid and a new one for several hundred and its an hour labour to fit. It isn't like 20 odd years ago when only performance cars and lorries had them and they cost £1000s.

Don't try a DPF cleaner, it won't do anything. Its knackered, the oil pouring out of it is a sign of that.

tedted

its more like 4-5 hours to do

Ganga

You can check the turbo bearings yourself,take off the inlet hose and see if you can lift the turbo internals,the shaft should have minimal clearance so if you can lift the shaft and rattle it up and down the turbo is shot.

forgotmyname

Panic when the turbo stops blowing.

thesea

I can't hear any hissing or other clues that air is escaping. Looks like it is defo the Turbo.


I am booking it in to get it properly diagnosed next week. Ill look at a re con Turbo for about £200 and try and shop around for cheap labor to fit it. Looks like its going to be a Credit Card job!


I have to do a couple of hundred miles for work this weekend, fingers crossed the turbo holds on a bit longer.


Thanks for all your advice. J