Is my VW Touran Turbo about to blow?

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!
«1

Comments

  • atrixblue.-MFR-.
    atrixblue.-MFR-. Posts: 6,887 Forumite
    edited 13 June 2018 at 9:48PM
    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
    facade Posts: 7,514 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 13 June 2018 at 9:51PM
    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.
    I want to go back to The Olden Days, when every single thing that I can think of was better.....

    (except air quality and Medical Science ;))
  • George_Michael
    George_Michael Posts: 4,251 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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.
  • 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
    When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you. Nietzsche

    Please note that at no point during this work was the kettle ever put out of commission and no chavs were harmed during the making of this post.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,311 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    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.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • tedted
    tedted Posts: 451 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    its more like 4-5 hours to do
  • Ganga
    Ganga Posts: 4,253 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,883 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Panic when the turbo stops blowing.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • thesea
    thesea Posts: 3 Newbie
    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
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 256.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.