turbo actuator

[markthetaxi]

I have a 59plate 170hp cr engine Superb. Which has been going into limp mode at 50mph plus. Had it diagnosed by Skoda dealer low turbo boost problem . The dealer said only way to repair is to replace turbo £1000 plus fitting ugh!

I went to my independent local garage who was able to source a new actuator & bolted onto my existing turbo, problem solved.

Conflicting info from various sources saying actuator is built into turbo as one part but with some intuition actuator can be separated and bought separately. Big saving on replacement turbo ! 

[Hedgecutter]

Well done; another dealer fail !

[Kilkenny]

I have a 59plate 170hp cr engine Superb. Which has been going into limp mode at 50mph plus. Had it diagnosed by Skoda dealer low turbo boost problem . The dealer said only way to repair is to replace turbo £1000 plus fitting ugh!

I went to my independent local garage who was able to source a new actuator & bolted onto my existing turbo, problem solved.

Conflicting info from various sources saying actuator is built into turbo as one part but with some intuition actuator can be separated and bought separately. Big saving on replacement turbo !

I had the same problem at around 200k km. Dealer diagnosed the turbo actuator and sorted the problem for around €200.

Change your dealer would be my advice.

[stevekhart]

I've had diagnostic readings saying that there's air flow problems to the turbo - garage has swapped out all the sensors (at their cost cos it didn't fix the problem!) - how do I / garage know if its the actuator or the turbo?  Cant seem to isolate the issue from the diagnostic codes and I don't want to go through the expense of swapping the turbo un-necessarily.  Thanks.

[Tonythetaxi]

I've just had exactly the same experience this week. Car went into limp mode so took it to a dealer in London for reassurance that it was safe to drive home (120 miles).

They reported that it was showing low pressure boost and recommended a new turbo. Spoke to my local dealer in Yeovil who said they were very busy and couldn't even look at it for 16 days even though it is covered by used car warranty. Obviously need the car to earn a living so took it to my local village garage who have maintained my cars for 11 years and still know the meaning of customer service. They said Skoda were talking rubbish, there was nothing wrong with the turbo just needed the actuator replacing which they did in a couple of hours saving me something like £1,200 in the process!

The worrying thing is that TPS had the part on the shelf, so it's obviously a known problem especially as the car has only done 65,000 miles. I don't  know if it's worth talking to Skoda for some contribution or not or just putting it down to experience.

[Kilkenny]

I had the same prob about 2 yrs ago. Its obviously a problem with them. Cheap enough fix.

[Supurbia]

I don't want to deflate you Tony & Mark but you may find in a few weeks time it starts doing it again, if so it's sooty veins in the turbo that causes it, there was a little quick fix for it on the VW's where simply actuating the valve manually a few times gave some relief, this still doesn't mean you'll need a new turbo though, sometimes cleaning will sort it but worst case if it does come back look for a turbo cartridge and have someone install that for you rather than a new turbo.

Edited 13 June, 2014 by Supurbia

[markthetaxi]

Its now been 4 weeks since actuator replaced have done 3k miles . still ok. garage bill was £240 parts & labour fingers x. will last

[Kilkenny]

Its now been 4 weeks since actuator replaced have done 3k miles . still ok. garage bill was £240 parts & labour fingers x. will last

Relax I have well over 120/130 k on my replaced actuator. No sign of problems (touch wood).

[Supurbia]

Glad you got a result anyway.

[bryanp]

Just had the same diagnosis on my Superb2 170 2.0TDi, took it to the Lion Garage in Leicester who are a VAG only specialist, they said it is that common a fault on all VAG turbo cars that their supplier keeps at least 10 in stock and just to prove the point he went in to their workshop and got one that had just been stripped of a Ibiza! I was quoted £140 for the part and around £100 to fit it so about the £240 others have been quoted, having it done Friday. Thank god I didn't go to my local Skoda dealer!

[Hoverurb]

Might be worth trying the oven cleaner system  before spending any money.

[peterposh]

You can always buy an exchange turbo from companies that refurb them , I bought one for my mondeo, it was around £500 inc