Turbo help needed

spencer-s3

spencer-s3

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hi to all,
Ive just taken delivery of my new turbo from C R Turbos & need to swap the turbo on my S3, does any one have a guide or help on fitting a new turbo?

any help would really be appreciated as there isn't much room back there! :crying:
 
Not always a head off job, both Awesome and PSI tuning can change the turbo without taking the head off :) Not much labour involved too
 
im sure ive read that some where that you can do it with out taking the head off...im sure someone on here must of done it with out doing so :readit:
 
9500D884-58D5-40DE-B17A-A32714B62461.gif
 
Im in the same boat as you. My turbo just landed back from CR Today and had the hybrid treatment:yum:

It took me about 2.5 hours to take off and hopefully should go back on easier.

The worse bit it definately the coolant and oil supply pipes and the bottom downpipe nut is a mother f**ker. :wacko:

Apart from that pretty straightforward. Some people take heads off or some actually take transfer box off but i really cant see why. You should need a lift either. Everything from the top.

You NEED a 17mm stubby spanner for the downpipe nuts!!
 
Just because something CAN be done, doesn't necessarily mean it should be.

Yes, the turbo can be changed without taking the head off.

The question is why would you deliberately make a pain in the *** job even harder by limiting your visibility, access and manoeuvring room by trying to do it with the head on.

What you save on costs for not removing the head, you add in time and frustration.

Ultimately, the answer is yes, it can be done. BUT I have changed a few turbos on these engines now... and I wouldn't even entertain the idea of doing it with the head on. My head is off right now to change a manifold, let alone a turbo!
 
Optimum Tuning said:
It is cramped but all cars are cramped to work on nowadays!!
It doesnt look as bad when you get tip,airbox, boost pipes off etc
Click to expand...

Yeah.... until you start trying to take the front coolant line off the K04, trying to undo the turbo support bracket, and unbolting the oil return feed from the underside...
 
I had to remove a turbo yesterday, previously I've always taken the head off but this time I thought i'd try doing it without taking the head off. 2 hours later and it still there I spoke to Welly for some tips. end result the heads coming off! It only takes me an hour to take the head off as done many times.

It's not worth the stress, cut hands and lost 12mm sockets as they get launched over the fence in frustation.

For the sake of a new HG and bolts it's not worth the agro!
 
beachbuggy said:
I had to remove a turbo yesterday, previously I've always taken the head off but this time I thought i'd try doing it without taking the head off. 2 hours later and it still there I spoke to Welly for some tips. end result the heads coming off! It only takes me an hour to take the head off as done many times.

It's not worth the stress, cut hands and lost 12mm sockets as they get launched over the fence in frustation.

For the sake of a new HG and bolts it's not worth the agro!
Click to expand...

Completely agree - hassle is EXACTLY what it is. Never ever worth it IMO.
 
I spent hours trying to remove one with the head on... rediculous lack of working room..
faster to remove head, and you get to check the internals whilst there.
if someone wants to offer their quality services to do a k04/s3 swap in situ for 2.5hours, I'll hire you!
 
Welly said:
Yeah.... until you start trying to take the front coolant line off the K04, trying to undo the turbo support bracket, and unbolting the oil return feed from the underside...
Click to expand...

Turbo all back on again now took around 6 hours in total and ready for some more mapping this weekend when I get chance. When I do the next one I will definately do it the same way but each to there own I guess!! Ive got customers cars coming out of my ears for repairs,MOTs etc and another car stripped blocking a space in the workshop isnt what a need a the moment so it has worked out the best way for me personally.
 
Optimum Tuning said:
Turbo all back on again now took around 6 hours in total and ready for some more mapping this weekend when I get chance. When I do the next one I will definately do it the same way but each to there own I guess!! Ive got customers cars coming out of my ears for repairs,MOTs etc and another car stripped blocking a space in the workshop isnt what a need a the moment so it has worked out the best way for me personally.
Click to expand...

where did you start first when removing your turbo ? & did you take the oil feeds, coolant line etc off at the turbo side or off at the engine ?
 
spencer-s3 said:
where did you start first when removing your turbo ? & did you take the oil feeds, coolant line etc off at the turbo side or off at the engine ?
Click to expand...

Take airbox,tip ,dv and boost pipes off with brackets etc. Next is the downpipe, stubby spanner for the three bolts all from the top(the bottom one is a scrat) then take the oil return pipe bolts off(two allen key bolts) and which ever coolant and oil pipes you can. Then remove the three top manifold to turbo bolts(external torx) and the turbo support bracket bolt. The remaining two pipes that you couldnt get to before should be easy enough to get off now ,just try not to damage them and take your time. Slide the turbo out through where the tip/airbox was. I got new bolts for the manifold to turbo as they are a modified part which has better purchase for torx socket.
 
I changed one with the head on,lots of work involved,transfer box off etc....never again would i do that and i would take the head off next time to save the hassle !
 
i cant see why anyone recomends taking the head of to replace the turbo ? it may be very awkward but big deal? its part of the fun aint it ? why go to the trouble and cost of new hg, bolts, belt and tensioner if its not needed??
 
S3BN_H said:
i cant see why anyone recomends taking the head of to replace the turbo ? it may be very awkward but big deal? its part of the fun aint it ? why go to the trouble and cost of new hg, bolts, belt and tensioner if its not needed??
Click to expand...

If you have the patience of a saint ....and there is no swear box within a 1 mile radius, and a good back.... fair enough
 
S3BN_H said:
i cant see why anyone recomends taking the head of to replace the turbo ? it may be very awkward but big deal? its part of the fun aint it ? why go to the trouble and cost of new hg, bolts, belt and tensioner if its not needed??
Click to expand...

I guess you haven't changed a turbo on an s3 then? if you had then you would know how much of a pain in the a**e it is to change without taking the head off. I have changed the turbo on mine twice now and first time i did it without taking the head off was awful and never again. The second time I happily changed It taking then head off without swearing once.

mike
 
IMO, head off is the way to do it. You also get the benefit of knowing that the engine is happy with it's new HG, bolts and timing belt.

Shouldn't require more maintenance for a while after that really.

Unless it's yellow.
 
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