Turbo Problem?

11302 Views 21 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Fourdiesel, Apr 6, 2016

DanTREG

Discussion Starter · Mar 10, 2016

Another oil problem with the 2013 Touareg TDI Sport. Late last year, the infotainment screen told me I had to add oil as soon as I could. I thought something may have been wrong, so I took it to a mechanic. Sure enough, there was oil around the turbo as well as in some hoses. I took it to my local VW dealer, and they claimed it was a normal amount of oil in those areas, and instead of replacing the turbo they replaced the intercooler hoses...

Last week I got the same message to add more oil. It has only been 4,500 miles since the last time I refilled. I took it to three different mechanics, and after noticing oil in the intake hose to the turbo, the exhaust hose coming out of the turbo, and the turbo itself, they all recommended that I get the turbo replaced. I took it back the the same dealership, and once again they said "OIL IN THOSE PLACES IS NORMAL." They absolutely refuse to replace the turbo. I'll post some pictures for you guys to see underneath. Instead, they'll be putting it through oil consumption tests.

What do you think? Am I in the wrong? Could it be bad bearing or seal in the turbo? Please comment.

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Fourdiesel

· #2 · Mar 11, 2016

Oil from the bearing behind the compressor wheel IS normal. Too much is not! The path from the turbo compressor is to the charge air cooler (aka intercooler) and then to the intake manifold. If there is excessive oil getting past the bearing seal the charge air pipe low spots will fill quickly. Almost always the reason will be too much clearance in that bearing.
It is relatively easy to detect this wear however - remove the intake air pipe where it attaches to the turbo. Reach in with a finger and try to push the shaft radially; up, down and right to left. If you can detect movement it is time to replace that bearing. Practically speaking it means rebuilding the turbo because that is virtually all a turbo rebuild entails.

Reactions: 1

bobbydigitali

· #3 · Mar 11, 2016

I just had my turbo replaced a couple weeks ago because oil was leaking by seals in to turbo and creating a noticeable burning oil smell. I think this is called turbo blow by, not sure? The entire Turbo and associated parts were covered and replaced under extended Fidelity warranty. I had it done at an independent auto repair shop.

Reactions: 1

ToolmanJohn

· #4 · Mar 11, 2016

If you don't have an extended warranty, you can buy one from the dealership. They already say the car is fine, so they should sell a warranty. Then don't worry about it. If it fails before 100K or the time term (7 years??), you're covered. I also have the VW approved Fidelity Platinum Warranty.

I can imagine how frustrating it is to know that it's using that much oil and the dealership says "Everything's OK".

Do you tow frequently with the Touareg. I'm just wondering, as I also have a 2013 TDI Sport. It does not use oil except when I tow (3000-3500 pounds). I drop about one tick mark on the electronic oil lever indicator per 500 miles of towing at 65 mpg. I usually don't have to add before the 10,000 mile service. It's only down a half a quart by then.

DanTREG

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 11, 2016

ToolmanJohn It really is frustrating. I haven't started towing yet; right now it's only for going to school to work and back home. However, I plan for a lot of road trips in the summer. Guess I'll need to bring gallons of oil with me when that happens lol.

noobytoogy

· #6 · Mar 11, 2016

You mention work and school trips. Are you only doing lots of short trips?

That's really not good for a Tdi as they need good runs to get them properly up to temperature.

rg955tt

· #7 · Mar 11, 2016

Define good run? my commute is 24 miles each way some stop go but mostly running about 45 to 50 mph for the bulk of it. Some highway high speed too but bulk is my commute of about 50 miles a day with that speed average

noobytoogy

· #8 · Mar 11, 2016

rg955tt said:
Define good run? my commute is 24 miles each way some stop go but mostly running about 45 to 50 mph for the bulk of it. Some highway high speed too but bulk is my commute of about 50 miles a day with that speed average

That kind of mileage will certainly warm the car up but whether it will keep your DPF clear, I don't know.

DanTREG

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 12, 2016

noobytoogy they are relatively short trips. Roughly 20 minute drive to school but 45 minutes to work. I let the Touareg warm up for roughly 15 minutes when it's really cold out and wait about a minute until I shut it off.

tdimark69

· #10 · Mar 12, 2016

letting it idle for 15mins is awful for it and totally unneeded

Reactions: 1

noobytoogy

· #11 · Mar 12, 2016

Do NOT idle a Tdi like that. Get in it, start it and drive it. Engine wear will be at its peak during those 15 minutes.

Reactions: 2

DanTREG

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 13, 2016

Should I not wait for the engine to warm up just a little bit? Damn, I've always been told to let the car sit for a little and then drive.

tdimark69

· #13 · Mar 13, 2016

diesels do not warm up at idle....the oil technology is to the point where by the time you strap your seat belt on motor is fully lubricated and ready to drive....if anything just dont drive it hard for the first 10 mins as it fully warms

Reactions: 2

Philth

· #14 · Mar 13, 2016

Just for clarity from an earlier post, some movement of the turbo shaft is permissible. I don't know what the tolerance of this particular turbo is, but I have yet to see a turbo shaft that cannot move at all; even brand new.

tdimark69

· #15 · Mar 13, 2016

Philth said:
Just for clarity from an earlier post, some movement of the turbo shaft is permissible. I don't know what the tolerance of this particular turbo is, but I have yet to see a turbo shaft that cannot move at all; even brand new.

correct this movement is removed when running as oil pressure is applied

DanTREG

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 15, 2016

So the dealer said the amount of oil in the turbo and the hoses running in and out of it is normal. What do you guys think based on the pictures I added? Is there some manual out there that specifies how much oil is ok to be in there?

Thanks

tdimark69

· #17 · Mar 15, 2016

Honestly every diesel vw i have had has oil in the cooler pipes...this treg is my 3rd. Its normal...if you are not seeing the need to add oil in between changes you have nothing to worry about....there is no abnormal turbo noises and it works as intended i would worry less and drive more....Ive asked my tuner...my vw tech buddies they all say oil in the charge lines is normal...it is a byproduct of oil cooled turbos.

I will be changing my turbo out for a new bigger one in a month or 2 i can take pictures of mine too but im 99.9% sure it has oil in the lines as every tdi ive seen does

Reactions: 1

TUNINGBYAMG

· #18 · Mar 19, 2016

I've seen as much as half a quart of oil accumulated in the lowest point of the intercooler, and mind you this was on a 4 cyl 1.9TDI with a smaller turbo than this.
Yes oil in the pipes is normal i can also add that in cold weather you will see more of it, the reason for that is the crank ventilation is sucked up in the intake and then cooled at the intercooler, so from hot gasses it liquifies back to oil and will sit there.

Reactions: 1

AU TDI

· #19 · Apr 6, 2016

My 2010 TDI is currently sitting at the local VW dealer, and they're trying to convince me to replace the turbo for $2600 because of oil in the charge lines. They said that enough had accumulated that the charge line ruptured. The tech I spoke to claimed it was around a quart of oil. After reading through comments in this thread and others I'm leaning towards just having them replace the ruptured charge line and keeping an eye on how much oil is actually accumulating. Is there any reason for me to not wait and see before dropping that much money on a new turbo?

tdimark69

· #20 · Apr 6, 2016

AU TDI said:
My 2010 TDI is currently sitting at the local VW dealer, and they're trying to convince me to replace the turbo for $2600 because of oil in the charge lines. They said that enough had accumulated that the charge line ruptured. The tech I spoke to claimed it was around a quart of oil. After reading through comments in this thread and others I'm leaning towards just having them replace the ruptured charge line and keeping an eye on how much oil is actually accumulating. Is there any reason for me to not wait and see before dropping that much money on a new turbo?

they just want your money....i bet its just fine and wouldn't think twice to keep running it

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