GUIDE: How to remove turbo and clean 'sticky' vane, which causes overboost

Craig1.8t

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So you car is overboosting? More than likely the vanes inside the turbo have jammed, this is due to carbon build up and its fairly common. First thing is make sure they are sticking before removing turbo.

Checking if the vanes are sticking.

Get underneath the car with the engine running, remove any undertrays to gain access to turbo and locate the turbos actuator. Now you've found the actuator, remove the vacuum hose while watching the reaction of the actuator rod, it should move freely and about 1 inch, maybe just short, you get the idea. If it moves the full travel but appears to have spots of delay (rod should move quickish and smooth) this is a sign your vanes are sticking, in a lot of cases the rod moves very little or not at all, this also means the vanes are sticking.

So you've discovered the vanes are sticking, great find! What now? Simple... Remove the turbo and clean the carbon build up from inside the turbo causing the 'sticky vanes'. Heres a how to guide with step by step instructions.

Tools required:
5mm allen for ratchet (I use 3/8's ratchet)
6mm allen for ratchet
12mm deep socket
13mm socket
16mm socket
short extention
long extention
Flat blade screw driver
T30 on ratchet (I use quarter inch ratchet)
17mm spanner
22mm spanner
Pliers suitable to remove the springy circular clip (Jubilee alternative type)

(This is off top of my head, if I have missed anything I will update as I'm replacing a turbo tomorrow)

Removing the turbo.

First off, lets take the downpipe with catalytic converter. You will need to remove a plate held up by 4x 13mm nuts, once removed undo the 2x 13mm bolts on the exhaust clamp and slide the clamp along. Then remove the 2x 13mm bolts that hold the exhaust up these are at the back of the subframe. Now this is done there is a flat bar from the cat to the gearbox, remove 2x 16mm bolts and put to one side. Lastly get the 5mm allen with long extension and undo the clamp holding the exhaust to the turbo, there is a gasket so make sure you don't lose this, the clamp usually doesn't 'fall off' it has to be persuaded because its a tight fit, once loose the exhaust can come away.

Exhaust removed you now have access through the exhaust tunnel which the turbo will be coming through. Firstly get your 22mm spanner and take off the oil return pipe from the block, small amount of oil will drain/drip out. Then get your 17mm spanner and undo the oil feed pipe, if it feels tight do not keep trying you will twist and snap the oil feed pipe. The reason is theres like a connecting piece that screws into the turbo that the oil feed pipe screws on to, you will need to modify a crappy 17mm spanner to fit inbetween hot and cold side housings to stop this turning. Once oil feed pipe is undone follow it along to the left of the manifold and there will be a clamp with a 12mm bolt, remove this and carefully bend the oil feed pipe up and away.

On the top of the manifold is a pipe to the EGR held to the manifold by 2x 12mm nuts and to the EGR cooler by 2x 6mm allen bolts. Remove these and pull out the pipe.

Now, get your T30 and remove a bolt holding the turbo inlet pipe to the engine, there are two, one located top right of the turbo and one under the bonnet next to where the flexy inlet piping is, remove these two bolts and then get your pliers and squeeze the clip holding the turbo inlet pipe into the turbo slide it over and pull the pipe out, would be easier to remove altogether to make room, its a little awkward but does come out.

Now get your flat head and pull out the C clip holding the boost pipe into the turbo, then pull out the boost pipe, again a little awkward but can be made easy by removing the full boost pipe to intercooler.

Pull the vacuum hose off the actuator and move out of way. Now everything is out of way its just a case of unbolting the turbo.

First theres a 13mm bolt at the bottom of the exhaust side of the turbo that connects to a bracket to the block, remove this. Now if you look on the right side of the manifold there is a heat shield, held on by 2x 12mm bolts, remove these and remove the heat sheild. Now you left with the 8x 12mm bolts holding the turbo to the head, remove these and then its time to pull out the turbo, it will come through the exhaust tunnel as mentioned earlier, I tend to get the left side of the manifold coming out first.

Thats it, its a fairly simple job once you've done a couple, I removed one today in just 40 minutes. But give your self a couple hours if you've not done one before, and take your time keeping all bolts grouped.

Good stuff you've got the turbo off! Now time to sort out these sticking vanes

Cleaning out the carbon build up.

Tools required for this part:
10mm spanner,
10mm socket,
small/thin long nose pliers,
small flat head,
T25 for ratchet or screwdriver,
Drill with wire brush attatchments,
Cleaning agents can be used, but its perfectly fine to do without,
A vice would be handy but today I never had one, so I made do without.

First while the turbo is off check for any play, or damage to compressor/exhaust wheels

COMPRESSORWHEEL.jpg

EXHAUSTWHEEL.jpg


Look at that horrible carbon build up just there! This turbo was spot on in terms of play/damage.

Moving on, remove the oil return pipe

OILRETURN.jpg


With this off, now remove the actuator starting with the clip

CCLIP.jpg


Now remove 2 bolts holding the actuator to turbo

ACTUATOR.jpg


Remember to mark with tipex, its not needed its just a reminder where the turbo goes, although there is a peg its just handy to do.

MARKING.jpg


Now there are 3 more 10mm bolts holding the turbo together 2 of which are

READYTOSPLIT.jpg


Now the turbo should come apart, some easily some not, get a hammer to persuade it. Don't be an idiot with it though as I've broke the lug for the bottom 13mm bolt before luckily it was a knackered turbo and I was just experimenting.

Once you've seperated the turbo you should have this

TURBOSEPERATED.jpg


Look at all the black crap, it may not look much but it does cause the vanes to stick.

Moving on, grab the exhaust side of the turbo and take out the ring being careful not to drop the 3 guide wheels and pins (Circled in yellow)

REMOVEVANEWHEEL.jpg

VANEWHEEL.jpg


Now go back to the turbo and remove the 3x T25 bolts being very careful not to snap them. If they feel tight work them in and out, little by little, trust me take your time the last thing you want is one of these snapping. (Sorry for not putting circles round but I'm sure you can see them (Please bear in mind when rebuilding, the 3x T25's are offset and can only go one way, you'll see two are closer together than the other)

CARBONBUILDUP2.jpg


Take this out there are 3 spacers underneath

VANES.jpg


On this turbo there is evidence of the vanes sticking, this is actually another plate that comes out, sometimes they don't fall out sometimes they do

SIGNOFSTICKING.jpg


Lets get cleaning! I use a wire brush attatchment for a drill

CLEANINGCARBON.jpg


And a small one for the vanes you can see it among the tools I used

TOOLS.jpg


Here are my cleaned parts

ALLPARTSCLEAN.jpg


The plate on the left of the vanes is the plate I mentioned above that sometimes comes out sometimes doesn't (It just get stuck!) Try your best to get it out though.

Now we are ready to rebuild!

Insert the plate if removed, lining up the holes. Now put the 3 spacers over the holes and grab your vanes and put it on top of the spacers being careful to keep everything in line, we don't want the spacers moving and the bolt not going through them do we? Now put the 3 pins in the holes, put the ring over the vanes then slot in the rolers, please take a look at this picture making sure you have the ring in the right position, the yellow circle is where the control arm control by actuator sits and the red circle is a hole for the peg I mentioned earlier, line these up. Ok so you should get to this point.

ALIGNVANEWHEEL.jpg


Grab the compressor part of the turbo and line the control arm and the peg up

ALINGCONTROLARM.jpg


Now slot the two parts of the turbo together carefully, you may have to waggle to lever about the make the control arm slot on to place, once turbo is back together move the lever

CHECKVANEMOVEMENT.jpg


It should feel like its not even connected properly don't worry because it is, if it wasn't it would be jammed and the turbo wouldn't sit flush. Make sure your tipex marking line up too.

Put the 3 bolts with large washers in these holes (The 3rd is further round anti-clockwise)

READYTOSPLIT.jpg



Fit your actuator, snap the C clip back in place and your all done! Re fit your turbo in reverse order of this guide and happy days.

Wow that took a while! I hope this helps people.

Craig.
 
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Jesus that's not for me! If you're anywhere near Manchester let me know, mine needs doing!
 
Not far from manchester mate, Rotherham! hours drive at most
 
Interesting. How much would you charge? Might have a few customers off here!
 
Just a question, was this turbo making that horrible whining/police siren noise before you sorted it out?
 
Yes, as said above though, I haven't yet fitted back to car. Will let you know though.
 
nice work bud....But i don't wonna be the 1 to burst your bubble, this is'nt the greatest way, it could make problems worst, if the carbon build up is'nt fully removed and was'nt cleaned 100% and put back to geather in a clean space you could of caused your self foreign body and could up with a blown turbo in the very near future(touch wood it dont).
 
if the turbo is making a whining noise that normaily means the fraust bearing is on its way out
 
Turbo unit, have done a few of these, never had an issue touch wood. It may not be the 'best' but its free to do :) - The best would be a recon
 
Well thats what i was thinking but i know it cost money and people havent got it imo for the effort taking it off i would get it reconditioned(good work though will help alot of people)
 
nice work bud....But i don't wonna be the 1 to burst your bubble, this is'nt the greatest way, it could make problems worst, if the carbon build up is'nt fully removed and was'nt cleaned 100% and put back to geather in a clean space you could of caused your self foreign body and could up with a blown turbo in the very near future(touch wood it dont).

How could it make problems worse ? Carbon deposits to some extent will come loose during operation the way it was sooted up before so assuming he didn't drop a 2 inch nail inside before refitting, i don't see the risk (seeing as he is smart enough to have removed by himself etc!), but would be interested to hear your insight / experience ?
 
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Good write up, very informative with pics !

Would you suggest an alternative would be chemical cleaning which could be easier than 'grinding' by dunking parts with build up in some sort of caustic solution overnight / for a day or 2 ?

What was the job time to remove the unit ?

Tks
 
Can people stop making this statement that the turbo is on its way out if its whistling.

I fell for this & once i was £1000 lighter after labour it still does it with a new one.

It is not a given that the whistling means the turbo knackered or that the Thrust (fraust) bearing is on its way (Whatever that is)
 
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How could it make problems worse ? Carbon deposits to some extent will come loose during operation the way it was sooted up before so assuming he didn't drop a 2 inch nail inside before refitting, i don't see the risk (seeing as he is smart enough to have removed by himself etc!), but would be interested to hear your insight / experience ?

I agree with you here

Also, you can use chemical cleaner if you wish. Do what ever you like so long as you remove the carbon deposit :)

Blackie, your right its usually the bearing on the way, or damaged compressor or exhaust wheel(s)
 
Hi. This guide is/was super perfect. I just take my turbo off my BKD engine. The photos here is the same as on my car.
Also the inside of vanes looks the same before I cleaned all parts ;-) Have this sticking vanes for almost one year in my car and
now I have saved 1500 Euro cause the workshop suggested to replace the entire turbo.
Thank you so much Craig for the perfect guide.
 
Great guide mate, thanks for sharing :) I accidentally clicked dislike lol, never mind that mate
 
Can someone around London/Kent come to me and help me out with cleaning out my Turbo? im useless with engines! il be giving beer tokens of course
 
does this actually work ??? anybody tried it ??? what were the results before/after???

&

anybody near manchester who can help a guy out ( rewarded handsomely of course )
 
I'd also like some help if anyone is willing to get their hands dirty. In the North-East.
 
how often should this be done?
what are the symptoms or warning signs to watch out for?
 
Hi,
Can anyone confirm if the removal technique described here is applicable to the VW Golf Mark V? The Haynes manual describes a much more convoluted process including draining coolant, accessing via the front wheel arch etc?

Thanks in advance

Jeff
 
hi all noth manchaster lads the pale in Rochdale called lockstitch tel 01706523923 postcode ol165lb happy to help
 
i have vw touran on 57 plate dienostice and the code came p0234 it was boost pressure regulation limt exceeded overboost condition and its go in for full turbo full cean up
 
Does anyone have any reports about whether this actually works or not?

Would be especially good to hear from the OP.
 
Yes of course it works as if you understand how the turbo works, you will see the carbon is what stops the veins from moving correctly as sticking. Very common issue but before doing this, try a simpler method 1st by removing the EGR and squirting MR MUSCLE down the exhaust manifold into turbo with straw attachment, there is a guide on here somewhere.
 
done loads of these on mk5 golfs and audis . usually after stripping and cleaning the turbo i file the edges of the vanes down very slightly to allow a fraction more clearance as the carbon builds up again , prevents it needing doing again so soon . easy enough job to do ,perfect time to do a dpf delete as well.
 
Used innotec this week on the misses A3 2.0 tdi, worked a treat!
 
Hi,

My Audi 2008 A3 2.0TDI has the P0234 overboost engine code and is going into limp mode around 70mph in 5th/6th gear, resets when i stop/start the engine, its fine for normal road driving, just on motorway limp mode kicks in, so sounds like the 'sticky vains' problem on the Turbo, great guide but I wouldn't try this repair myself !!!!

I am in Manchester, someone mentioned in the thread using lockstitch in rochdale, been on their website and they look ok, quoting me £300 + VAT to recon the turbo, so sounds a good price compared to buying a new/recon Turbo, has anyone here used them before? if all is ok I plan to get the work done asap as going on a long drive to Dorset soon.
 
Hi,

My Audi 2008 A3 2.0TDI has the P0234 overboost engine code and is going into limp mode around 70mph in 5th/6th gear, resets when i stop/start the engine, its fine for normal road driving, just on motorway limp mode kicks in, so sounds like the 'sticky vains' problem on the Turbo, great guide but I wouldn't try this repair myself !!!!

I am in Manchester, someone mentioned in the thread using lockstitch in rochdale, been on their website and they look ok, quoting me £300 + VAT to recon the turbo, so sounds a good price compared to buying a new/recon Turbo, has anyone here used them before? if all is ok I plan to get the work done asap as going on a long drive to Dorset soon.

if your turbo is already knackered why not take the opportunity to put a hybrid in there and get it custom mapped?
 
if your turbo is already knackered why not take the opportunity to put a hybrid in there and get it custom mapped?

Looking at the code and the other threads, seems the turbo just needs cleaning rather than knackered, a refurb Turbo is being quoted around £800-£1000 fitted by my local Audi Garage VAG, so cleaning for £300+Vat and keeping original Turbo sounds better value, I thought if I got the Turbo cleaned/refurbed to stop the sticking vains it would be ok after?

What's the difference between hybrid and normal Turbo? mapping is a tune up on BHP isn't it from what I have read, so its not required? I've not seen anything about that after a Turbo repair.
 
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