Hi all,

Wonder if anyone can help please?

The glow plug light has been flashing intermittently on the vRS lately. I had it checked out and it logged a fault which turns out to be a dodgy actuator fitted to the turbo. Ok, doesn't sound too bad i thought until i was told that the actuator cannot be bought seperately. I have to buy the whole unit costing hundreds, possibly a thousand odd pounds!

Has anyone else had this problem? Is it it true what i'm being told? Is there a way around this? I can't believe i have to buy the whole unit when there's absolutely nothing wrong with the turbo itself, its a rip off.

Theres only 46000 miles on the clock with FSH etc etc.

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with VAG. The reliability is nowhere near what i'd expect these days.

Any ideas anyone?

Also, does anyone know if the actuator on the turbo is vacuum or electronic?

I spoke to Skoda CS and they said i have to book it in at Palmers Watford as thats where i had my injectors changed. They say it may or may not be injector related. The problem wasn't there before they were changed.

My relatives' PD140 Octavia went into limp mode with the emissions light illuminated on the dashboard - this was diagnosed as a stuck actuator rod, and the turbo was replaced under (Skoda's used car) warranty. There was a fault code - #16618 ("Boost Pressure Regulation: Limit Exceeded (Overboost Condition) : P0234 static-no define").

Probably not that much help, but thought I'd say on the off-chance it was ...

The actuator is vacuum operated and the diaphragm does split on them. There is an electrical part to it that is purely a movement sensor for the ECU. Sadly from a dealer point of view yes it is a unit replacement although im sure a turbo specailist could replace the actuator and set it back up again.

Any ideas anyone?

Also, does anyone know if the actuator on the turbo is vacuum or electronic?

I spoke to Skoda CS and they said i have to book it in at Palmers Watford as thats where i had my injectors changed. They say it may or may not be injector related. The problem wasn't there before they were changed.

it would seem sensible to see what they say first if it wasn't there before they touched it, I don't know if its pne or elec, if pneumatic it could be a loose or damaged hose easy to check with a vac pump if the actuator is shot- whilst not a replacement part, they are available "aftermarket" or it could be the turbo needs it's vanes cleaning if you tend to nurse it --- wat he sed :-)

Edited 6 October, 201114 yr by cheshire cat

Please post the exact error code. Like Tech1e says, the PD170 turbos do have a position sensor on the VNT actator.

Thanks for the info guys.

I'll try and get the exact code but my indy has gone on holiday the inconsiderate sod!

I'm trying to get it booked in at Skoda main dealer as well. As i mentioned earlier i've had nothing but problems since the injectors were swapped out. Wish i'd left them alone really.

Split diaphragm is easy to check, pop the pipe off the actuator and see if you can suck on the pipe. if it holds its ok, if you can keep sucking its split.

Split diaphragm is easy to check, pop the pipe off the actuator and see if you can suck on the pipe. if it holds its ok, if you can keep sucking its split.

Thanks, i've just tried sucking on the pipe and its definately holding so it seems the actuator is ok. Thats probably good news but it means there's something else wrong i guess.

Maybe, unless the fault is with the movement sensor.

Let us know what the code it if you can.

The cars booked in at Skoda on tuesday so I'll post the exact code then.

I assume that the movement sensor can be replaced without the need to change the whole turbo unit?

Afraid not, it's part of the actuator, thus part of the turbo.

Bugger, can't believe I may have to buy a complete unit for the sake of a faulty sensor. It's a joke, what is it with VAG cars days?

Split diaphragm is easy to check, pop the pipe off the actuator and see if you can suck on the pipe. if it holds its ok, if you can keep sucking its split.

It looks like my diaphragm has gone, I tried the sucking technique today and it doesn't hold (after doing a vain clean with innotec) . Mine has an electrical connector on top so its not easy to change if I can find one.

The car has been in to Palmers Watford (who changed my injectors) for a diagnostic check. There is a fault with the turbo somewhere. They wanted to start stripping it down at a cost of over £200!

This leads me to think that my indy was right in the first place. The actuator seems fine after the sucking test so i reckon its the movement sensor. Its really frustrating as the turbo is working fine. Its just a faulty sensor and i have to spend a fortune replacing the whole unit.

Palmers wouldn't give me a fault code or the diagnostic printout, the girl said she wasn't allowed to and as i didn't pay for the check i didnt force the issue. They've offered me an exchange unit for £840, and then i have to pay someone to fit it.

I tried getting some goodwill out of Skoda UK but to no avail (as i didn't buy the car from a Skoda retailer).

I have just bought an actuator from Volkswagen as Skoda do not sell it, £107 took me 1hour to fit as the bottom nut is a bitch. mine is the cr not pd.

Interesting, thanks. I'll see if i can do the same for my PD.

Do you know if your actuator came with the movement sensor as i think thats the problem with mine?

Just post the code from your mechanic when you get it.

Ok will do. Will the code indicate exactly what the fault is then?

I mean, it was in at main dealers yesterday and they didn't know the exact problem as they wanted to strip it down.

My code was p0299 low vacuum pressure. i will post the part number of the actuator soon.

Great, thanks very much.

03L 198 716 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vw-turbo-actuator-repair-kit-/140616298642

any more update on this??

I ended up buying an actuator from VW and it was a stock item. £107 it was a bit of a pain to change but it was defiantly the problem with my car and I've not had a problem since.