Whats that on my turbo?

s3black

s3black

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S3 8l 2002 bam

Thought I would check everything over. Took some snaps of my turbo as there was black soot on my hands and this is what I found.
Could it be just a leak or is it goosed? lol
 

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That's what I thought but the soot is quite far over to the left?
 
Would it be the turbo manifold gasket or the gasket that links the two parts of the turbo together?
 
there is no gasket linking the parts of the turbo... it could be a legacy mark of course and the gasket could have already been changed...

If you do change it you would need to use new OE bolts... only use an OE gasket...

<tuffty/>
 
I'm wondering if this is where my leak slash hesitant boot is coming from?! I'll need to try getting a better look at it.
 
Plausible... a leak there will affect fuelling (lambda will react to the extra air being drawn in under low load) and if big enough will affect turbine speed and ultimately spool/boost

<tuffty/>
 
Ooh perfect. Well not perfect but my engine management light is on and when last scanned it showed a lambda error. Can't mind the code though. So it could explain many things. Don't get me wrong the car still pulls like a train lol. I assume it requires a bit of work to change? Thanks.
 
Well... yes and no... essentially you just need to remove the three bolts, the turbo dro[ps down a bit and you can replace the gasket... fit new bolts (DO NOT LOSE THE THICK WASHERS!!... they are like 4-5 quid each and required...)

The biggest issue is getting the old bolts out... need an E14 (I think, can't remember if its E12 or E14 off hand...) I have found using the blow torch on the bolt head helpful to 'ease' them off...

The other thing to watch out for is the threaded inserts backing out... if they do that then the gasket will be next to useless and will just blow again... if this has happened then thats a little trickier to sort out as you need to gain clearer access tot he inserts to wind them in... if they are loose enough you may be able to use a suitably sized flat blade to catch the threads enough to wind it in... else you will need to unbolt it from the the support bracket and possibly remove the DP to allow enough movement to pitch the turbo back to gain access to the inserts

Its not unusual for the inserts to wind out if the bolts comes loose (which they do) or if the gasket has been replaced before

<tuffty/>
 
Oh think I'll contact my local audi guy and get him to check its the gasket that's gone first and get a price for the job. Essentially it sounds fine but better being safe lol. would I be worth upgrading the manifold at the same time? I have a full Milltek system with decat on at the moment. Thanks.
 
Manifold not so much... 3" DP is where I'd spend my money first...

<tuffty/>
 
got that already. so just stick with standard mani then?
 
The only aftermarket one thats realistically available is the Relentless V4... they do work though...

Will need a custom map really to make proper use of it...

<tuffty/>
 
ok. ill stick with standard and get leak sorted first :greyrs4:
 
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