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I think my turbo is borked - 1.9 vrs - car mechanics illiterate driver disclaimer

gramee
in Skoda Fabia Mk1 (1999-2007)

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Firstly, apologies. I searched and couldn't find an answer to this particular issue (from my viewpoint)

So, pulling away from a roundabout last night, (quickly, it's a very busy roundabout)

Wheels spin as it was damp as a damp thing, car pulled, torque kicked in, wheels spun and I heard what sounded like a 'whizz'?

Changed gear and put foot on throttle but no oomph at all.

No lights on the dash, got me home though, but as I was bricking it I drove like Stevie Wonder.

On returning home, engine idling, I could hear loose bits from somewhere in 'there' after research, maybe the impeller?

So, a few questions.

from the info I've supplied, is that enough to know one way or t'other?

Does anyone know of a good mechanic in cardiff area that they would reccommend?

Will I have to remortgage if it is the turbo blown?

Can I drive it? (see disclaimer in title)

Any and all responses welcome,

Cheers,

Graham

Probably best to not drive it until you know what the cause is.

Can you tell if the turbo is boosting at all?

Check for loose boost pipes.

Phil

  • Author

Thanks for the response Phil, it's appreciated

Is there an easy way to know if the turbo is boosting? without driving it obviously, I'm the car mechanics equivalent of rainman (sans casino abilities)

Boost pipes are located?

I'll search now

If it got you home it could be limp mode rather than anything more serious.

Have you tried driving it again this morning?

I overrevved mine during a track session at Combe and it went into limp mode which as far as i could tell turned it into a non turbo diesel lump with limited power and speed.

Turned it off and on again and it was fine again.

You're could have been the same thing is you were banging into the limiter/ASR due to a sharp damp roundabout get away.

However if yours it the turbo - yes you better have deep pockets.

A brand new turbo will set you back approx £600 (although second hand turbos are out there ( i got one for £130 on here) but they are an unknown quantity)

plus about £300 to fit it

You should hear it spool up slightly if you rev the engine a little.

The boost pies (while looking straight on at the engine) are on the left hand side starting at the top, running down to the front, dropping down to the intercooler, then from intercooler underneath the side of the engine and then finally up the back of the engine to the turbo.

The direction I went through those pipes BTW is opposite to how the air flows through them.

Phil

  • Author

@Pasty - I was afraid to go near it this morning. Before retiring to lick my wounds last night I definitely heard some loose bits of metal from in 'there'

It definitely hit the limiter on the roundabout, my first thought was limp mode. When I got home and whilst it was on the drive ticking over I definitely heard some loose bits of metal from in 'there'

I've prepared myself that it ain't going to be cheap but she's been as good as gold for the past 6 years as a daily driver so I'll just man up *sniff*

@Phil - cheers dude, will rev it slightly but I am afraid that I'll damage it even more. Will check the pipes

If the turbo has broken up you have the intercooler before the intake to the engine so any bits should be caught by that.

You could take one of the top pipes off and see if you can feel any boost through the pipes.

Phil

Quite hard to say without actual physical diagnosis really.

If it's sounding different then clearly that's not good news.

Repair costs will depend on how badly it's failed really, and the type of failure. It doesn't sound like total failure as you managed to get home. So you've hopefully saved your cat and exhaust system and avoided the need for a fresh intercooler :)

As a minimum you'll need to flush the intercooler out to make sure there's no turbo fragments that would then destroy a fresh turbo when it was fitted and run.

So turbo, oil change, intercooler removal and flush, intercooler pipework removal and clean, turbo swap. Plus gaskets, bolts and a fresh oil feed. Parts for the Fabia turbo swap will be £80-100.

Total price will depend on local labour charges really. I'd budget on £900-1000.

I feel your pain fella

My standard "weak" KKK turbo has been good for 125k including many excursions on track.

I dread the day it goes pop but as above have a new used turbo in the garage ready and waiting

  • Author

So, turns out that Turbo is borked, checked the pipes as per Phil's advice, no boost whatsoever.

Quoted £930 plus fitting for a new turbo. </sigh>

My next questions are:

Is it worth sourcing one myself?

If so, what info do I need to mak sure that I get the correct one?

If it type fabia vrs turbo replacement I get lots of fabia vrs's :) so any recommended places?

As always, the advice is much appreciated

Graham

What's the difference between re-manufactured and re-conditioned?!?

No difference, just the same thing.

  • Author

So, turbo replaced.

Cat fine, intercooler fine :blush:

£1280 total :sweat:

A big big thank you to those who offered advice:

Exhibit 1 m'lud:

post-9717-0-86786100-1352554496_thumb.png

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