Car is a 2003 VRs running std turbo.

Having had a blowing exhaust recently, my local garage have diagnosed that the manifold-turbo bolts need new spring washers, as they had become loose. Car had a new turbo a yr ago before i got it. They have told me its an arse of a job to do. I have managed to nip them up with a ratchet spanner to stop the blowing, but obviously want to get it fixed. Does anyone know how much of a job it is to do - i know i need to remove some parts to get access to the bolts - but what? Is it a simple job or will i end up with half the engine on the driveway just to change 3 or 4 spring washers?

It's undeniably fiddlely but car on axle stands and some long reach extension bars on your rachet wrench. There's not too much that you can remove to assist you with this one. Removing oil line and coolant can only be done once you've dropped the turbo anyhow. Look on the bright side, it's more of an ar*e of a job to remove the manifold from the block while the engine is in the car!

I think I have a similar problem. Took my car to the garage this week with a blowing exhaust and they have said they cannot diagnose the problem without stripping the car down which will cost a bomb in labour! Did you manage to fix yours and was it expensive? Cheers.