I'll probably change my mind in a few thousand miles when mine fails, but I can't help wondering...

I wonder if the problem with these turbo-diesels (TDIs!) is that because the turbo has given diesel engines performance comparable with (NA) petrol engines, people drive them like petrol engines, but I wonder, was this really the design intention? Perhaps they were meant to be driven like diesel engines, with only occasional high-rev thrashing?

I can't help feeling that if you wish to drive enthusiastically and regularly, a petrol engine should be your choice??

I've not got any facts to base this on, it's not even a hunch really; I'm just wondering if there could be any truth in this... There's probably huge holes in my arguement though, so feel free to blow it out of the water

Mine was rarely thrashed.

Normal driving took it up to about 3k rpm and it spent a lot of time on the motorway at 2200rpm.

It did have occasional runs up to the redline in the first couple of gears but I certainly didn't drive it like a petrol.

My car is an ex rental car (Alamo) and we all know how they get driven. I do drive mine like a petrol and find myself regularly driving upto the limiter in the lower gears. My turbo is still the original one, and at 65K miles cant be doing to bad considering whats been posted in this thread.

Mine was rarely thrashed.

Normal driving took it up to about 3k rpm and it spent a lot of time on the motorway at 2200rpm.

It did have occasional runs up to the redline in the first couple of gears but I certainly didn't drive it like a petrol.

Fair enough. I was tempted to do a poll on this, but the problem is people's opinions on their own driving can be quite subjective.

Still, I wonder if there's anything in it? Do many people buy a TDI thinking it can be driven like a petrol when *maybe* it shouldn't be?

Slightly worrying thread this as I just picked up my new PD140 L&K last week!

I am trying to be conscientious about running it in as per the manual - don't know if this makes any difference to longevity of the turbo. I am also hoping that the fact that it is a DSG may help as I am driving it in normal rather than sport mode and it seems to change up quite early and encourage a more "relaxed" driving style - certainly compared to my old Fabia VRS!

Time will tell I guess, but as I only do about 12,000 miles a year the likelihood is it will be out of warranty before it hits the serious danger zone!

Fantastic car otherwise so fingers crossed

Out of interest, does the ECU give out any diagnostic info if the turbo is edging towards failure?

Out of interest, does the ECU give out any diagnostic info if the turbo is edging towards failure?

Don't think so - it has now way of knowing. I didn't even get any diagnostic info from my ECU when the turbo boost pipe popped off and the engine was less powerful than my previous SDI

Don't want my first post to be negative but.......

mine went at 7,000 miles as i pulled out of petrol station dumped all the oil through the exhaust and manifolds. Took 13 weeks to get the parts and repair and i had to pay £95.00 for oil and filter. but i did buy another one!.

John.

Well as an avid turbo whistle-spotter (listener)....

I heard possbly the loudest car turbo in Germany yesterday on a modern E class Mercedes taxi. It still seemed to be going alright, not smoking really, I heard it approach & was looking for a bus or lorry.

It was even audible as it pulled away from next set of lights 500metres away! (I was on foot).

So I think there's hope for us whistlers yet. ... Darren

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I am about to buy: -

2006 Skoda Octavia II PD 140 DSG Elegance.

It has 23K on the clock, and obviously only a few months left on the warranty. My dad has the exact same car, but is an 05 plate and he's only done 14K (Retired)

How common is this problem?

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I am about to buy: -

2006 Skoda Octavia II PD 140 DSG Elegance.

It has 23K on the clock, and obviously only a few months left on the warranty. My dad has the exact same car, but is an 05 plate and he's only done 14K (Retired)

How common is this problem?

Just stand at a busy set of traffic lights and listen to all the TDIs (all makes) whistle away.

Just check for regular servicing, excessive smoke, excessive oil usage & plenty of power delivery. After that, it's a question of pot luck, there's loads of TDIs out there now, so the number of reported problems will seem higher.

You've also got the advantage of other cars to compare directly against.

Good luck with the test drive & report back if you purchase.

cheers ... Darren

It is handy, the car I am looking at is basically identical to my Dad's, but with the only main difference being the Sport Suspension + Wheel upgrade...

I've driven my dad's car quite a bit, so I believe I have quite a good reference point to work from.

Thanks for the help

Well as an avid turbo whistle-spotter (listener)....

I heard possbly the loudest car turbo in Germany yesterday on a modern E class Mercedes taxi. It still seemed to be going alright, not smoking really, I heard it approach & was looking for a bus or lorry.

It was even audible as it pulled away from next set of lights 500metres away! (I was on foot).

So I think there's hope for us whistlers yet. ... Darren

I had some problems with my turbo. It whistled very loud, but dealers sad that everything was all right. When this trouble made me absolutely angry:mad: I'd asked dealers to disassemble a turbine and clarify what was going wrong. They accertained that petals of turbines geometry were chipped:eek: and that was the reason of whistle. Result - new turbo.:thumbdwn:

Mine made that noise very quietly since new , then very rapidly got much louder

Oh fecking great, 50K miles in and my Turbo whistles like a bugger everytime it spools up - it's also got a lot worse recently too.

Oh fecking great, 50K miles in and my Turbo whistles like a bugger everytime it spools up - it's also got a lot worse recently too.

Are you still in warranty based on the age?

If so , hope it goes pop soon and get a free replacement.

Now just short of 90K miles and still on my original one.

Oh fecking great, 50K miles in and my Turbo whistles like a bugger everytime it spools up - it's also got a lot worse recently too.

Have you had any loss of power when accelerating hard yet?

A high pitched scream similar to a jet engine and loss of power (but much quieter mind) whilst under WOT is what I experienced several times before it went bang.

Oh fecking great, 50K miles in and my Turbo whistles like a bugger everytime it spools up - it's also got a lot worse recently too.

My old turbo used to whistle and so does my new one (although not too loud), I wouldnt immediately assume there is a fault. Limp home mode when over 3k revs, smoke and a noise that sounds like a siren were all signs that my turbo was on its way out. Shop around if you do need one, I paid just over £500 quid fitted for a recon unit.

Edited 17 October, 200916 yr by stacon

Are you still in warranty based on the age?

If so , hope it goes pop soon and get a free replacement.

Yes, still under warranty till July 2010, I'll drop it into dealer next week.

It definately is getting worse, but not losing power & still clean although I suppose that's the DPF doing it's job.

Just out a matter of interest do you actually need a turbo, by that I mean could it be bypassed possibly useing the manifold from an SDi

I am on 103 K with my 1,9

Yes, still under warranty till July 2010, I'll drop it into dealer next week.

It definately is getting worse, but not losing power & still clean although I suppose that's the DPF doing it's job.

Fingers crossed they happy to replace it before it fails completely.

Just out a matter of interest do you actually need a turbo, by that I mean could it be bypassed possibly useing the manifold from an SDi

I am on 103 K with my 1,9

I find they come in quite useful myself! :eek:

Have a stab at creating your own SDi if you like, but I doubt you'll be getting anywhere very quickly. The PD105 is slow enough as it is IMHO

Steve

I thought I'd done all my research really well and was happy that my 2.0 tdi would be a reasonably reliable pruchase. I've just come across this thread though and I'm not feeling too good.:eek:

The car has done 54,000 miles and makes a police siren noise. Other than the noise the car drives fine. It's a 2005 car and I'm intending to get the cam belt replaced. Should I also get the turbo sorted? and if so any idea how much it's likely to cost?

I find they come in quite useful myself! :eek:

Have a stab at creating your own SDi if you like, but I doubt you'll be getting anywhere very quickly. The PD105 is slow enough as it is IMHO

Steve

May just do that, some of the mark 1s here have done over 500,000 miles as taxis and the only thing that they had real problems with where the gearboxes, they sorted that by fitting the boxes fitted to the 90 bhp turbo units

I'm sure there's plenty of turbo-charged high-mileage vehicles about as well, if you look. Merc E-Classes spring to mind, especially on the continent for taxi duties.

Plus the PD105 uses a different turbo to the PD140.

Steve

IThe car has done 54,000 miles and makes a police siren noise. Other than the noise the car drives fine. It's a 2005 car and I'm intending to get the cam belt replaced. Should I also get the turbo sorted? and if so any idea how much it's likely to cost?

Dont worry about the turbo, mine has made the siren sound for more than 70,000 miles and its still perfectly fine.