I know there are countless threads about loss of power and it seems a commom problem with the TDI engine going into limp mode.

I have the same issues with loss of power on an increasingly frequent basis. Coincidentally, a work colleague who has a Volvo, and loss of power going into limp mode on a very regular basis mentioned it to their local back street garage who carries out all their servicing etc. They said that they offer a turbo cleaning service. Since it was done, there has been no loss of power or dropping into limp mode.

So, for a significantly less amount of money than buying a new turbo; does this sound plausible, or delaying the inevitable? I'm no techie so dont know what cleaning the turbo means nor whether there any risks with cleaning it.

Wondering if anyone else has had this done and how it worked out.........

How much is the turbo clean?

If the turbo is on it last legs then if getting the vanes cleaned out works out quite a bit cheaper then it's got to be worth a try before shelling out £1000+ for a new reconditioned turbo...

My other-half has a Golf Mk4 GT-Tdi which suffers from going into limp-mode due to not being driven hard.

I wait till diesel tank is low and then add a shot or two of Redex Diesel fuel treatment so that it is super-concentrated. Then take it for a spirited drive usually up an incline to get the turbo working.

This sorts it for several months. Guess I should dose it with Redex at regular intervals or ask her to put her foot down occasionally.

This might be useful.Don,t know if anybody has used it here

http://www.dieselturbocleaner.co.uk/

This might be useful.Don,t know if anybody has used it here

http://www.dieselturbocleaner.co.uk/

Looks interesting; would like to know how easy it is to use and whether it works!

My dad on his Passat 110hp and friends A4 130hp have both been cleaned.

Both entered limp mode sometimes and turning car off and on would make it ok for a while.

Since the turbo was still good (internal parts, rods whatever), after apart it was verified that some blades had carbon attached to them enough so the blade wouldn´t move to make the turbo "variable". Since some blades were always in "open" position to create pressure, sometimes the pressure would be over making the car go into limp mode.

Now, the 2 first turbo repair places always said " new rebuild turbo is needed", even before the turbo was out.

At the repair shop that cleaned the turbo, said from the sound and simptoms is not the turbo, but it should be looked at first before final conclusions.

Both cars were cleaned, at the time a rebuild turbo was about 650/750€, the cleaning think was 200€.

On the Passat this happened at 150k, it now has 324k (is was a taxi), except for the cleaning still same turbo.

I myself think that is very important to have a good oil, changed often (no 30k oil) and if remapped even more often so the turbo has a good life span.

Edited 25 May, 201214 yr by alberg