TURBO gone/going

[londoner1]

Just want to know what the worst case scenario is, as the stealer quoted £700 labour and £968 + VAT for new turbo over the phone. Just trying to find a decent garage who

1) knows what they are saying.
2) Knows what they are doing.
3) offers Keen pricing.

[teamster1975]

£700 labour and £968 + VAT for new turbo

How much?!?!?!?!
You could buy another car without the fault for that money!! What a bunch of comedians!

[Welly]

Have you thought about doing the 'wiggle test'? this is where you remove the inlet pipe to the turbo and give the shaft a good wiggle about to check for excess play/resistance in the bearings.

You will need to get it up in the air though above your head on some garage ramps as access is poor.

[londoner1]

UPDATE:


Took he car to 2 garages, told them i have an oil leak and need to have a look:

First one said the oil stains will need to be cleaned up before he can find out where its coming from.

The second one had a proper look around with a torch, up and below, took out the disptick put his thumb on top of the rim and said, its the turbo thats leaking and needs replacing as teh engine is fine. I don't really know this test but he said the car is not smoking but when it goes it will smoke.

I said how much will he charge, and was taken back when he said £150 labour and it would take 1 day and he will also need to change the oil, so presumbly the turbo would cost £350 plus the labour.

I don't really know wht to do, either get rid of the car or get it repaired. Any advice as I'm in 2 minds, I understand the turbo needs to be fitted just right for it to work properly??

[steve_earwig]

It's quite usual for there to be oil leaking about the turbo, apparently there's a little gasket that isn't up to the job. Mine leaks, Welton's leaks, they work fine though. He took the dipstick out, put his thumb over the hole and declared it to be the turbo? Fault diagnosis by ESP? Probably he's just checking for cylinder blow past, to see how worn the cylinders are which is why he reckons your engine is ok. As for it being the turbo, you wouldn't be the first to have one changed only for it not to fix anything. I'm not saying it isn't the turbo, I haven't got your mechanic's ESP skills, but (as everyone else has said) it would be very unusual. As for what to do about it, take it to a diesel specialist. I know a good one here but that's no use to you, maybe someone could suggest one a little nearer..?

[jasper5]

Ok, until recently (the company have changed them for Nissan), I looked after a large fleet of Puegeot Expert vans, all HDi 90, I had 6 of these vans that have needed turbos, each one of these that were faulty all had a very loud whistle or "howling noise" and every single one still gave maximum boost and ran very well without leaking oil.One of them blew up on the motorway, there was lots of oil and heavy smoking from the exhaust.

My point is that if the turbo is faulty, it will be VERY noisy.

The only time the engine will have a faulty turbo and no boost would be if the turbo has siezed, ie, the turbo shaft is not turning, the only way to check that is to take off the pipe that fits directly onto the turbo itself and try to turn the shaft, it should turn very easily with a screwdriver or something to turn it, obviously with the engine OFF.

Of course there could be a fault with the wastegate, that could be seized or the vacuum is not working.

I'm still not convinced this is a turbo replacement job, it needs careful checking, ie process of elimination, with turbo replacement bottom of the list.

I think you have an intercooler or airflow meter fault.

I sent these vans with faulty turbos to the dealers, the total cost for each was £1400 at my local dealer....the leasing company paid.

[londoner1]

Thanks for your replies.

I noticed an oil leak a few months ago but its gone worse now and the turbo is not boosting anymore, teh car also feel sluggish between 2nd and 3rd gears. The leak was dropping onto the bottom intercooler pipe and now when i saw it its all over teh bottom of the engine sump. I don't really have teh time to take it to many mechanics and i guess i'm stcking to the fact thats its a faulty turbo. I was told oil leaks from the seals of the turbo pointing to turbo failure.

[Welly]

You wanna see my turbo, it's covered in oil, oil drips from underneath if you drive hard, the turbo whistles, but it's still good.

I'd see a Diesel specialist before replacing anything major.

[londoner1]

UPDATE:

The mechanic is charging me £550 inc parts to fit a recon turbo, waiting for it to arrive, meantime he's stripping the pipes to clean them out of oil.

My intention is to keep teh car for a couple of months and then to get rid of it, have had enough of PUGS and will be going back to a japanese make.

[teamster1975]

Sorry to hear that londoner
I've had my fair share of problems but thankfully (touch wood) nothing I couldn't repair myself!

[londoner1]

LATEST UPDATE:

Had the turbo replaced, boost has returned and car feels quicker, will need to monitor over the next few days.

OTHER STUFF: Mechanic said i'll need all brakes done soon, front bushes are a bit weak and there is a small leak on the top of teh front pipe.