Because I love a good worry about my 92k KKK turbo, I have booked into have a Turbo inspection on Friday with Volksmaster as they advised they can give me an idea into the wear and tear of the turbo and if it is on its last legs.

 

They explained they can do a vacuum test to test to variable vanes and hopefully peace of mind or the fact I need to change it.

 

They are charging me £40+VAT to do so.

 

They have a very good reputation and the guy on the phone sounded very knowledgeable.

 

What I wish to know is ... do you think it will give me a better idea on longevity moving forward? or am I wasting my money?

 

 

 

 

Sounds like they are just going to test the actuator is working by applying vacuum with a vacuum tester. Would take 5 mins to do. All this will establish is that your actuator is holding vacuum and the VNT mech is free and moving. 

 

To check the turbo they could pop the intake and boost pipe off and check the impeller condition.

 

Why you worrying? Overboost/underboost? Noises?

Generally when the turbo pops it's the 'cold side' that fails with pieces of the wrecked impeller ending up in the intercooler, as mrapoc says inspecting the impeller for obvious signs of erosion is advisable, oil seal wear will give blue exhaust smoke, this seal failure results in a loss of oil pressure in the bushes which leads to rapid bush wear and then catastrophic failure shortly after.

Any signs of impeller wear or oil seal failure will mean a turbo rebuild with a new CHRA is the best and cheapest course of action, the VNT mechanism should be cleaned and serviced at the same time.

Edited 6 March, 201412 yr by sepulchrave

3 Reasons really..

 

• Its the original turbo on 93k
• It whistles a little bit more than normal at the moment (no siren)
• Im a fanny

The siren isn't a guaranteed way of telling you it's going though - I have heard new ones make that noise when cold!

Only reason i'd check my turbo is if I were getting erratic/incorrect boost , if something sounded nasty or if there were odd colour in exhaust fumes

 

Get the impeller looked at to ease your mind - half an hours labour? Have you got VCDS? A log on boost levels won't hurt

£40 + VAT