Stop the clock...Start the thread-My baby is home

You are literally 6-7 nuts/bolts away from removing it :)

The turbo is very much shagged!!!

Maybe it was just "time"
 
send it off...

the main problem with "close" places is you are always bothering them and doing them favours in the hope they service you quicker when in actual fact it means they can put you off till tomorrow as you are clearly a mate.

pay the £50 (or whatever) and leave them to do their thing

or....


Beach Buggy do K04 hybrid turbo's you don't need to ramp it up to 22PSI 300BHP, but instead run it smooth and cool as 16 PSI 260BHP <-- Or whatever I have no idea - those are about £675 - you only need to change the oil feed pipes and change the oil.

http://r-techperformance.co.uk/vag/...-seat-skoda/1-8t-k04-k03-hybrid-turbo-tuning/
 
After contacting Turbo Techincs they have quoted me either upwards of £150+vat for repair,if possible,or £300+vat for a standard replacement off the shelf unit so I think that will be the one I will go for.

Found this guide on here...

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-8l-turbo-removal.187412/

Just need to see if I'm physically/mentally capable of swapping it over :blink: I know I can manage the first bullet point on that guide,it's just the rest that will test my strength and ability.
 
audi upgrades
superkarl said:
Patience is key. Be prepared, be methodical and don't rush anything.
Click to expand...

Cheers Karl,maybe a months gym membership to start with!

I feel it may be a catchweight bout between the turbo and me.
 
Once you rip it all apart, I'll bring mine round so you can work out where all the parts are supposed to go back to Tim!
 
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tcg said:
After contacting Turbo Techincs they have quoted me either upwards of £150+vat for repair,if possible,or £300+vat for a standard replacement off the shelf unit so I think that will be the one I will go for.

Found this guide on here...

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-8l-turbo-removal.187412/

Just need to see if I'm physically/mentally capable of swapping it over :blink: I know I can manage the first bullet point on that guide,it's just the rest that will test my strength and ability.
Click to expand...

I couldn't undo the downpipe to turbo nuts - even with most of the downpipe out the way. if I ever need to do it again - I would still remove the head and leave the wheels, drive shafts, sub frames, lower arms etc etc all where they are.

from the top with the head off it is 4 nuts / bolts and the oil feed and water lines

£300 for a K04 exchange unit is pretty good though.
 
Stuart B said:
I couldn't undo the downpipe to turbo nuts
Click to expand...

That's my biggest concern with any of the bolts/nuts.I suppose worse case scenario is get as far as I can then put it back together again and go to church although being an atheist I might struggle with that.
 
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just start binge watching all the shows on Netflix and forget about the little scamp.
 
Well that was an epic fail on my behalf!

Began stripping down the car today and after removing the associated pipework on top of the engine I went down below to carry on from my positive start.

Having sprayed penetrating fluid everywhere I could think I should first thing this morning,I thought I'd trying 'cracking' the turbo support bracket bolt.After about 2 hours of playing Twister with myself under the car and trying various combinations of sockets/extensions/ratchets,etc. I just couldn't get it to budge.

I have decided that if I can't even get that one to shift I have no chance succeeding with this venture so tomorrow I will put everything back that has been removed and I will have to have a rethink as what do to next.It will most likely have to be a garage job so that will be the first big expense at the start of my second year of ownership.

Right now I have about as much confidence in my own ability as I do with my S3,bordering on nil.
 
You have to cut that seized bolt's head off like everyone else has to.

get a grinder in there (somehow) I would actually be tempted to cut the whole bracket off and address the bolt without the rest of the turbo in the way - as the turbo is foobar anyway.

take no prisoners tcg

---
I had the front springs changed on my Mazda 3 and the labour price was reduced by supplying new droplinks too as it take 10 minutes to cut off droplinks or 1.5 hours to try and undo the old junk.
---

in actual fact
1. you may as well change the downpipe - so cut that off
2. you need to change the oil feed pipes - so cut them off
3. you are binning the turbo - so cut that off.

this only leaves you with 3 manifold to turbo bolts E-14 / E-16 reverse torx socket and the coolant pipes doesn't it?

it is hell on earth laying under a car trying to lift your arms up with tools reaching impossible to reach bolts with grime and sh*t in your eyes - us "normals" don't have the core strength to do it.

hence - it is 100 times easier taking off the head - then you can be sure the head gasket is all good too ;) it is £50 for the HG kit and bolts and £75 for a timing belt, water pump and damper.
 
Last edited:
No mate,no can do.

This car has stressed me out so much already,in fact I don't think I've been this stressed since my dad died,and that was 33 years ago!

It is the main topic in our house and puts a downer on the day,every day,at present.I wish that the space it takes up in my garage was occupied by a pool table,at least I could enjoy that.

I will never forgive myself for buying it.I have to 'suck it up' and accept the fact that I made a bad decision,it has beaten me,from several angles :grumpy:

I get butterflies every time I go near it and all for the wrong reasons and I hate the fact that I can't just walk away and forget it.
 
just sell it as it is - its not worth losing your health over. buy a fricken camper van or something less bother if you want a project, at least you get enjoyment from those.
You know in your heart of hearts after this bit is fixed another bit will break the next week.

don't look as it as being defeated but instead escaping the daily suffering.

"I get butterflies every time I go near it.."
jokes aside - they are probably palpitations
 
audi upgrades
Stuart B said:
buy a fricken camper van
Click to expand...

The closest I'll ever get to camping is an impersonation of Dale Winton.I like to travel in luxury,that's why I got an S3 :blink:

Stuart B said:
"I get butterflies every time I go near it.."
jokes aside - they are probably palpitations
Click to expand...

Could be right mate,I should of ticked the 'defrib' box on the options list when I bought it :frown new:
 
Lol a camper is a project too, you will only use it 5 times a year and be forever repairing item. But at least you can sleep in the work area.
 
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Hopefully getting closer to driving the S3 soon,this arrived today...
DSC 0385


Nice shiny 'new' turbo from Turbo Technics,dealt with a guy called Ryan and the whole process was simple as.As a bonus they haven't put a surcharge on the turbo and I don't have to return my old knackered one so there's a project for @Stuart B :readit: to refurbish and upgrade.

The car is booked in for Friday so could be a weekend to look forward to,actually driving the car instead of it driving me to distraction.
 
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That's really thoughtful - how much is a broken turbo to buy including postage? It's the "quality inspection" bit I am worried about is this CHRA balancing more expensive for a DIYer than a new turbo?

Exciting times for you and with a new turbo you will be doing wheelies everywhere :)
 
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Stuart B said:
That's really thoughtful - how much is a broken turbo to buy including postage? It's the "quality inspection" bit I am worried about is this CHRA balancing more expensive for a DIYer than a new turbo?

Exciting times for you and with a new turbo you will be doing wheelies everywhere :)
Click to expand...
Balancing requires specialist equipment
 
Stuart B said:
That's really thoughtful - how much is a broken turbo to buy including postage? It's the "quality inspection" bit I am worried about is this CHRA balancing more expensive for a DIYer than a new turbo?
Click to expand...

Free delivery via an S3,within a 50 mile radius,as I'm not confident it would get any further!

superkarl said:
Balancing requires specialist equipment
Click to expand...

Araldite?...or these people...

https://www.turborebuild.co.uk/turbo-balancing.html

The choice is yours (in a Cilla Black voice).
 
sounds like a good deal to me - well lets play it by ear - first things first is to get your S3 back on the road.

turbo balancing?? what's the worst that could happen? :)
 
I bet you're guessing no news is good news,yeh...I wish it was :huh:

Spoke to the garage at the weekend and due to my schoolboy error of thinking an aftermarket turbo oil feed pipe would be suffice,I was wrong,so they had to order one from Audi :blink:

Had a chat again yesterday and the turbo is fitted,the car is up and running but now there is a large oil leak.They think it may be the oil cooler or could be the sump (my work) so I've just told them to get on and sort it.

Maybe need to speak to a mortgage adviser next!
 
I don't think the blue ones ever had these type of issues
 
Stuart B said:
I don't think the blue ones ever had these type of issues
Click to expand...

At least I have found a tenuous link to my car...we are both suffering issues,mentally and physically.

I bought the wrong colour.
 
Back in the game :grinning:

Picked up the S3 yesterday after the turbo fit and it also had to have a new oil cooler as that had caused the latest oil leak,it seems that 135,000 miles must be the point of most parts failing on my car,hopefully not too many more nightmares!

Took it out today for a cruise and my mechanic wants me to clock up some steady boosting miles over the next few days then pop it back in so they can put it up on the ramp to double check no oil leaks...then pay the bill,all thanks to my 'flexible friend'

Fingers crossed for a few trouble free days/months/years or maybe asking too much there going on past experiences.
 
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In celebration of being mobile again I finally got round to fitting my 'new' ebay headlight switch to replace my tatty one...

DSC 0389


Swapped over the headlight adjuster roller as mine are 'automatic' adjusting.I did contemplate using the roller switch for another function...maybe you're thinking to use it to switch between different mapping settings,as it has three settings,but no my car only has one setting so I wondered if I should use it as a counter for how many trouble free days/weeks/months I've managed to get through or maybe how long before @Stuart B came back with a nostalgic rambling about the 'Good Old Days' :blink: and while I'm on the subject of @Stuart B...

DSC 0386


You're Hybrid turbo conversion project is now in stock at my warehouse...No warranty applied or given!
 
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that looks sweet - what shall we do about retrieving this? my wife is still in Papworth at the moment - tomorrow is the first day back in the office for nearly three weeks. whereabouts in the country are you? assuming its still a deal?

my S3 is gladly on Axle stands as I will fit the FMIC - but like a big boat I will be moving slowly so far I have bought the stuff and put the car on axle stands soon I will remove the bumper and then take it from there :)

so (unlike you) - I have two spare cars for times like this :)
 
Stuart B said:
whereabouts in the country are you?
Click to expand...

Oxford mate,OX3 postcode,if not too far from you I can deliver.

That could be your chance to see an S3 in the right colour :blink:

Stuart B said:
assuming its still a deal?
Click to expand...

Deal or No Deal,what's in the box?...could be a turbo or 1p...ask the Banker?

DSC 0390


I'm sure there's no rush,so when we've worked out the distance,we can decide where and when.

I've put it on reserve for you.
 
Thanks TCG - how's the new turbo working out? have you opened it up?
 
Took the S3 out for a proper drive yesterday,first time since the turbo was replaced.Without hoping to put a curse on it,the car was faultless and boosted just as expected.

After having that work done along the silicone TIP from @s3 Hoggy and replacing the PCV pipes,rocker & VVT gaskets and the oil pump,I think my car is probably in the best health now since I've owned it and the engine sounds quieter than ever.Hope I haven't spoken too soon.

Also I may now be a member of that elusive club of S3 8L owners with no oil leaks :yes: at least I haven't found any on the piece of cardboard I've had under the car for the last week!

When the garage did the turbo they also flushed out the intercoolers I had to get a couple of new bumper clips so bought these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A3-F...120229?hash=item2ca2eecda5:g:VpQAAOSwg3FUefu3

I think I've now blown the budget for the next 10 years so need to step away from the spending,if possible,at least until I have some luck on the GG's.
 
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congratulations tcg - you must be very happy - your S3 will be good now - especially with a more relaxed driver - not only driving a 10 mile loop to see if it is still working.
 
Stuart B said:
your S3 will be good now
Click to expand...

Let's hope so,it still has some making up to do for it's behaviour towards me.If it had been a girlfriend that had let me down too often,demanded too much of my money and time,I would have ended the relationship long ago!

That's the problem when you have a car that is not 'run of the mill',you become emotionally attached in a way that is against any commonsense you would expect to have.

It just keeps giving you that 'itch that needs scratching',although I feel mine may have turned into a rash!
 
tcg said:
Also I may now be a member of that elusive club of S3 8L owners with no oil leaks :yes: at least I haven't found any on the piece of cardboard I've had under the car for the last week!
Click to expand...

Congratulations .... I'm jealous now :)
Just the other day mine took a **** on the garage floor. Might have something to do with me misplacing the oil catch pan though :p
 
JohnDuh said:
Congratulations .... I'm jealous now :)
Click to expand...

Just how I'll feel when you have your new heated seats installed and you'll have that warm glow of satisfaction.

No doubt there'll be an oil leak festering away under somewhere the bonnet of my S3 just waiting to bring me back to reality :yes:
 
audi upgrades
I took my bumper off today (what a nightmare, definitely been in a crash) and there is so much oil leaking from the front - I expect this is the same issue TJ has although mine is still hanging on :)
 
You not got heated seats n yours? Glad you got it sorted I missing driving mine and had to pull it off the drive today and couldn't even do it as I sent my cluster off to russia so it won't start was a sad sight me pushing it on my own
 
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I had oil gathering on the gear linkage at the side of the engine and once dipstick popped up it all over the front and on the fan blades. I now have a rainbow effect drive with all the rain recently
 
Feel your pain guys...the S3 seems to breed two types of anxiety,when it's running your anxious about when something is going to break and how much it will cost.But if it's off the road your anxious about when it will be fixed and how much it will cost :blink:

Tj 0785 said:
I had oil gathering on the gear linkage at the side of the engine and once dipstick popped up it all over the front and on the fan blades. I now have a rainbow effect drive with all the rain recently
Click to expand...

I still have no aircon due to the compressor exploding but that will have to wait until some bills have been cleared and there is still traces of compressor oil and specks of metal hiding in every possible nook and cranny.

Hot rods have metal flake paint effect,so does my engine bay :frown:
 
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