Blown turbo - guidance please

Richard53

2006 Golf Plus S 1.9 Tdi, 70k miles
Good condition for age, everything works, recent service, cambelt and waterpump, all documented. Until a week ago, in daily use and running well.

Last week, suddenly and without warning, it 'failed to proceed'. It simply died, no noise and no fuss, and wouldn't restart. It felt just like lack of fuel. Luckily I was close to my local indy garage and they towed me in. Today they have had a look at it and it's destroyed its turbo. They say a new one (old one can't be exchanged) plus VAT and fitting plus work already done will be about £900. Value of car fully repaired would be about £900-1100. The car is currently in the garage compound.

It's a nice little car but I have no particular attachment to it. There are a couple of non-urgent issues (worst is heating/aircon) which I would have to sort out soon, and could cost significant money if I am unlucky). I am looking for the most sensible way out. There are several cars available locally at sensible prices, and that would be an easy solution.

In the past I have always traded cars in or sold them privately; this is the first time I have been left with a older non-runner. I can see several options:

1. Put on ebay as spares/repair with all faults declared (will need towing home)

2. Call in a vehicle dismantler (can pick up direct from garage)

3. Get the repair done.

What do folks think? I'm speaking to the garage in the morning and have promised them a decision. I'm very undecided.

Aylesbury_Duck

If you trust the garage and they think it'll run for another couple of years with a new turbo and no other significant foreseeable costs, I'd get the work done. If you bought another car for say, £2k, it might go wrong within a few months and why spend say, £5k on a car when £900 will make this one last a bit longer? That's my view but I'm sure others will approach it differently.

Richard53

Thanks. I do trust the garage, without question. Future costs are an unknown, of course, but if I choose to chase down the aircon/heating issue it could get expensive. The other cars available locally are all sub-£2k. You've given me the answer I would have given if I had been dishing out the advice - the sensible option. I think you're probably right. A lot of money to have a known car to be hopefully reliable for a couple more years, or more money to have a different car with potentially similar problems or worse.

Perhaps I am wondering if this is a good time to cut my losses and get the car I really wanted when I was looking last time, a Focus or Golf. Full disclosure!

Advice on scrapping vs eBay still welcome - I've sold plenty of cars & bikes on eBay, but never a non-runner, and I have never scrapped a car yet.

chrisw

A blown turbo wouldn't normally cause the engine to stop and not restart.

Usually the engine would run but with little power, probably roughly and possibly in limp mode. Unless the engine has sucked in oil or pieces of turbo in which case the engine would be knackered as well.

Norman_Castle

Richard53 wrote: »

Advice on scrapping vs eBay still welcome - I've sold plenty of cars & bikes on eBay, but never a non-runner, and I have never scrapped a car yet.

Get quotes for its scrap value then offer it on VW sites or ebay with a starting price over the scrap value after ebay costs. It can be scrapped at a later date if there is no interest.


I've contacted this company in the past and found them very helpful. Not sure how their prices compare to what you've been quoted. https://www.midlandturbo.com/

UncleZen

chrisw wrote: »

A blown turbo wouldn't normally cause the engine to stop and not restart.

Usually the engine would run but with little power, probably roughly and possibly in limp mode. Unless the engine has sucked in oil or pieces of turbo in which case the engine would be knackered as well.

Well, obviously not if it had seized up completely, then you'd have to ask why (lack of oil probably).

Richard53

Thanks for the comments. The turbo vanes had shattered and sent pieces as far back as the air filter. It looks as though none got through the manifold and into the engine, though. The mechanic took photos - it looked like a war zone! I'm still surprised at how I didn't hear anything when it went bang, though. The high cost is because it's variable vane turbo and only available as part of a complete manifold assembly. If I were still doing my own spannering, I would be looking for other ways, but I'm leaving it to the professionals now.

I have decided to heed the sensible advice (unusual for me) and get it repaired. It's a nice little car and it does what I need it to do, so worth keeping. Unfortunately the garage is a man down, so it will be a week before they can do it. The push bike is getting some serious miles on.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Most helpful.

ginashamz

a 13 year old diesel with only 70k miles? No wonder your turbo went pop.
How often was the oil changed?

Mercdriver

ginashamz wrote: »

a 13 year old diesel with only 70k miles? No wonder your turbo went pop.
How often was the oil changed?

Ah the all seeing, all knowing, non custard testing, matter of dark. How is the RX8? Still in its box?

Joe_Horner

ginashamz wrote: »

a 13 year old diesel with only 70k miles? No wonder your turbo went pop.
How often was the oil changed?

So my 26 year old turbo diesel with 102k miles on it (65k when we got it 4 years ago) went pop when, exactly? Only asking because I must have missed it...

Jackmydad

Joe_Horner wrote: »

So my 26 year old turbo diesel with 102k miles on it (65k when we got it 4 years ago) went pop when, exactly? Only asking because I must have missed it...

Now come on Joe, you know the power's been down a bit. . .:D