VW Transporter Turbo problems...

[Fastra]

A mate of mine has a 2004 VW Transporter T5 2.5 TDi and is having a bit of trouble with the turbo on it - it sort of goes into 'limp home' mode whilst cruising at steady speed but is then ok when the the ignition is turned off and back on again.

I'm not too clear about the precise details of it but he's looking for someone local'ish (North West - Manchester/Stockport) that could perhaps either do a turbo swap or at least give him an honest opinion of what's going on.

Can anyone any decent indy VW specialists that they have experience of?

[redgriff500]

I'd suggest asking on the T4 forum (they also cover T5s)

However if it is reset by the ignition it's clearly an electronic issue rather than the turbo itself.

[okie592]

could be over boosting sending it into limp mode

[redgriff500]

okie592 said:

could be over boosting sending it into limp mode

It could be doing lots of things however unless the turbo has seized or causing huge oil usage it is not the turbo itself at fault.

Also overboosting when cruising - that's about the least likely possibility

[S0 What]

Boost control solenoid or one of the vac pipes running to it has rubbed through ? see this a fair bit VWs.

[s3fella]

MAF sensor? N75 valve?
Tell him to check all the vacuum pipes to the turbo and sensors etc, they can rub on stuff and get pin prick holes.

[avquack]

Been having exactly the same problem on a 2007 transporter with the same engine... Just done a 1300 mile round trip to Switzerland and it would happen every so often but ignition off and on and it would reset and then be fine for a good old distance as long as I kept revs up to keep turbo working. It seemed to happen after sitting at slightly lower revs. OBDII was reporting an intermittent underboost. Getting it investigated further this week...

[TallbutBuxomly]

S0 What said:

Boost control solenoid or one of the vac pipes running to it has rubbed through ? see this a fair bit VWs.

Exactly my guess. Put in a new bc sensor only around 85 quid iirc.

[Fastra]

avquack said:

Been having exactly the same problem on a 2007 transporter with the same engine... Just done a 1300 mile round trip to Switzerland and it would happen every so often but ignition off and on and it would reset and then be fine for a good old distance as long as I kept revs up to keep turbo working. It seemed to happen after sitting at slightly lower revs. OBDII was reporting an intermittent underboost. Getting it investigated further this week...

fkIN HELL...!!!!

Thats the best top lurking ever!

[Fastra]

Thanks everyone.
I'll put these to him and let you know.

[morgrp]

It sounds like the variable veins on the turbo are clogging up causing a surge of boost which causes the ecu to go into "safety" mode - common prob on the 1.9tdi too - you could try a fuel system cleaner and an Italian tune up - it often improves it - also, many people will doubtless dispute this but tell him to not use super market derv - I've found sainsburys fuel to be the worst