Fresh fried turbo
I am currently having my TDI serviced today at the Audi dealers. I had previously reverted to the fixed 10,000 ml service routine at 24,000 at last service in July 08, latest mileage now 34,000 and was 3 years old in June 09. I have just been informed the turbo is leaking oil and that the Audi dealer has referred back to Audi who will pay for a new Turbo approx cost £1,250, but I will have to pay for the labour at approx £350 to fit new Turbo etc. Whilst I am pleased not to have to pay for the Turbo as car is just outside warranty, should this be a problem after only 34,000 miles? What may have caused this problem and is it likely to happen again, my mileage is varied, some motorway, ‘A’ road and local commuting, I drive the car moderately using Auto drive not the paddle changes. I would welcome your comments
Asked on 17 October 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
That's a fair offer from Audi and its dealer and gratifying that it was
made voluntarily. Turbo oil seals usually fail because the engine has been switched off when the turbo is still red hot. No engine oil then circulates through the turbo bearings cooling them, the oil left in there literally carbonises and the oil seals cook. So the rule is always: idle a turbocharged engine for a minute or two after a long ascent, after towing, or after driving on the motorway (don't switch off straight away at fuel stops). If your journey ends with a few minutes relatively slow running though a town at low engine speeds then that will do the job and no need to idle the turbo. Some of the latest petrol turbos are water cooled, so there is less of a problem. Some turbo engines have a system that keeps pumping oil through the turbo while it spools down after the engine is switched off, so no problem with them.
made voluntarily. Turbo oil seals usually fail because the engine has been switched off when the turbo is still red hot. No engine oil then circulates through the turbo bearings cooling them, the oil left in there literally carbonises and the oil seals cook. So the rule is always: idle a turbocharged engine for a minute or two after a long ascent, after towing, or after driving on the motorway (don't switch off straight away at fuel stops). If your journey ends with a few minutes relatively slow running though a town at low engine speeds then that will do the job and no need to idle the turbo. Some of the latest petrol turbos are water cooled, so there is less of a problem. Some turbo engines have a system that keeps pumping oil through the turbo while it spools down after the engine is switched off, so no problem with them.
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