My turbo is dying!! What's my best optIon?

[R1 Indy]

Have just noticed my car (Alfa 159 1.9jtdm) has started using oil. While topping up oil, I noticed the bottom turbo hose (inter cooler?) is covered in oil. And after a drive noticed the performance isn't what it used to be. The boost gauge still shows it holding boost, but it's defiantly not giving the usual " diesel surge" that it used to.

So I'm guessing the oil seal has gone and the turbo is dying?

Now what is the most cost effective way of getting a refurbished unit. Exchange, or just sending my unit off to be refurbished?

I will contact a few companies on Monday, but a ballpoint figure would be good?

I should be capable of removing and installing the turbo, I did it on a petrol turbo Astra a few years ago.

And I can probably last a little while without using the car, as I could use the 7 (and get very wet!!)


Also is it likely to do any damage to continue driving it, and keeping an eye on the oil usage?

Cheers

[iva cosworth]

I wouldn't keep using it as it is.

It might get very smoky which you can get pulled for and oil usage could get excessive

[Fubar1977]

Different car but we recently replaced the turbo on an `05 Octavia Tdi and it was £350 for the turbo plus about £150 labour to swap it.
Oil seals had failed on ours too.
Not cheap but not as bad as I`d thought. This was using a re-con turbo, a brand new one would have been a lot more.
Just be sure it`s not just a leaking/blown hose first.

Would also advise against using it until it`s fixed as it could cause a lot more damage if it lets go altogether.

Edited by Fubar1977 on Saturday 24th November 13:59

[randomeddy]

Have a look on youtube for runaway diesels,scary.(caused by oil geting into the intake system,usually after a turbo failure).
Dont use it until it is fixed.

[4key]

I would use it as an excuse to upgrade, get a new one and then sell on the old as needing a refurb, or refurb it and sell it for more. Saves the car having to be off the road and will probably not be too much more than sorting out the turbo thats on there.

[R1 Indy]

Thanks, oh and there is no smoke that I could see? Would the diesel particulate filter eliminate any smoke though?

And it's not really using that much oil yet. The oil had only gone down to the half mark, after I dont know how long.

I filled it to the max, and went for a reasonable drive earlier, and it's still on the max.

But I have been hearing a bit of a whine for a while, although very faint.

If it was a loose intercooler hose, surely it wouldn't be covered in oil?

[Fubar1977]

Ours was pre DPF and no unusual smoking or anything else, just turbo noise.
I suspect you are right and it`s not the hoses, it`s just worth being sure as it`s a damn sight cheaper than a turbo.
A suspected Turbo fault on my S60 D5 turned out to be a perished hose.

[annodomini2]

You sure the turbo oil feed/return pipe on the bottom hasn't come off?

Won't be good for the turbo though!

[Gallen]

In addition to above, also check the crankcase breather isn't blocked up;

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-...

Same engine I believe? (which I have in my Vectra CDTi)

[Rammy76]

Fubar1977 said:

Different car but we recently replaced the turbo on an `05 Octavia Tdi and it was £350 for the turbo plus about £150 labour to swap it.
Oil seals had failed on ours too.
Not cheap but not as bad as I`d thought. This was using a re-con turbo, a brand new one would have been a lot more.
Just be sure it`s not just a leaking/blown hose first.

Would also advise against using it until it`s fixed as it could cause a lot more damage if it lets go altogether.

Edited by Fubar1977 on Saturday 24th November 13:59

This is how I see it.

My Passat TDi (same engine possibly?) had the turbo seals go at 130000 miles, I hadn't really noticed anything different with it and the oil consumption didn't ring any alarm bells either.

Unfortunately, whilst on the A1 as I was accelerating there was a massive cloud of smoke and the engine tried to rev itself to bits!

I did the same as Fubar19777 and got a recon turbo fitted for just over £500 and there is much improvement in performance and economy. These guys did a great job...

http://www.turbosyorkshire.co.uk/

I'd advise doing it ASAP (if that's definitely the problem), as it is not nice if the seals let go completely.

Edited by Rammy76 on Saturday 24th November 18:37

[4key]

When I first read this I assumed that there was a lot of oil in the pipes, was it just a light coating or could you actually drip some out?

Whilst a light film of oil and slightly excessive consumption would point towards things starting to get worn, it wouldnt make me take the car off of the road immediately and change the turbo for fear of imminent bork, more just get the wheels in motion to do something about it.

[scdan4]

midlands turbo come highly recommended from me.

they'll rebuild it for you on a quick turnaround.

[bertelli_1]

R1 Indy said:

So I'm guessing the oil seal has gone and the turbo is dying?

get a professional opinion, guessing usually ends in unnecessary expense.

[djdestiny]

I got my RS4 turbos rebuilt by The Turbo Unit in Tamworth, very good price and quick turnaround

[R1 Indy]

I didn't take the pipe off, it was the outside that was covered in oil.

I will take it off tomorrow and have a proper look.

Thinking about it, oil on the outside could mean the hose is loose, which would account for the loss in performance.

But it would still mean oil Is getting past the seals.

[Eggman]

It is fairly normal to find a little bit of oil in the pipework so don't panic if there's about a teaspoon full swilling around in there - my Defender has has been doing that for at least 11 years and hasn't blown up yet.

I'd have a careful look to see where the oil on the outside of the pipe is coming from, then decide how much to worry about it.

[R1 Indy]

Will do. Tbh I'm more worried by where the lack of power has come from? Hopefully from a loose hose.

[Eggman]

Quite likely. Might be useful to observe the pipes whilst an assistant revs the engine.

[SV8Predator]

bertelli_1 said:

R1 Indy said:

So I'm guessing the oil seal has gone and the turbo is dying?

get a professional opinion, guessing usually ends in unnecessary expense.

This is the post you should be paying attention to.

[djdestiny]

Remember a boost leak can also cause the turbo to overspin which will kill it!
If the ECU is requesting boost the turbo will try to compensate.
This is what kills turbos in Audi S4/RS4