Hi all, my mk2 octy vrs has been at skoda for the last 3 days after the exhaust light came on, on the dash. After initial diagnostics they said something was wrong with the turbo or something relating to it, so I paid for them to carry out a full test plan of the turbo (computer guides them through checking all parts) it came back as the turbo only boosting to half pressure - and a replacement needed. He said that when turbo powers up it spins fine but at half pressure begins to wobble slightly (he meant the spindle fan on the shaft inside the turbo and not the whole turbo, but for the life of me cannot remember what he called it) and would not boost any further after this. I have driven the car the 4 mile drive home and the light has now gone off (I assume they cleared the code) and the car feels absolutely fine to me, not at all sluggish and the turbo sounds as it always has. I don't really wont to pay the £1300 they are asking to replace this, but if I source a recon unit they will fit it for £300

2 questions:

1. Does this sound like the turbo is knackered and needs replacing (it does to me but won't to be sure three is no cheap fix)?

2. Does anyone know the part number for a new turbo as he gave me 06F145701HX but I cannot find this on any UK based turbo repairs/reconditioned turbo websites?

Thanks!

Take the pipe off the turbo outlet.

 

Move the shaft with your fingers - feel for any movement on the spindle.  If it moves side to side then it's goosed and will eventually destroy both itself and could take the engine with it when pieces of the blades end up jamming valves open and they make contact with the pistons (from expensive experience).

 

If the spindle is fine then it could be the DV opening early (weak spring?).

 

Go to a turbo specialist (not Skoda) and get them to give a second opinion.

 

I've had a cat diagnosed by Audi as being faulty when it was actually a 2p circlip that was missing from the VNT acuator arm.  lesson is that too many garages trust what the computer tells them, they've lost the mechanical diagnostic knowledge of actually looking and testing things themselves.

Thanks Sheldon for the reply (sorry it took so long!) I ended up taking the car to a non-dealer skoda specialist for a second opinion, he took the car for a quick spin, confirmed the car was down on power and said it was the turbo from an initial diagnostics check. When they delved deeper they found it was actually the actuator for the turbo which they replaced, for a fraction of skoda's quote to change the turbo, now I have the car back it is a completely different beast, working spot on without any issue, turns out the car has always been broken ever since I bought it at the beginning of the year (perhaps why the previous owner sold it) but I am absolutely delighted with it now! Not sure i trust the proper dealers anymore though I paid for a full diagnostics check in which they said the had tested everything, but the specialist said that even if they had changed the turbo, the problem wouldn't have been fixed as the actuator doesn't come with the replacement turbo, not impressed...

Thanks Sheldon for the reply (sorry it took so long!) I ended up taking the car to a non-dealer skoda specialist for a second opinion, he took the car for a quick spin, confirmed the car was down on power and said it was the turbo from an initial diagnostics check. When they delved deeper they found it was actually the actuator for the turbo which they replaced, for a fraction of skoda's quote to change the turbo, now I have the car back it is a completely different beast, working spot on without any issue, turns out the car has always been broken ever since I bought it at the beginning of the year (perhaps why the previous owner sold it) but I am absolutely delighted with it now! Not sure i trust the proper dealers anymore though I paid for a full diagnostics check in which they said the had tested everything, but the specialist said that even if they had changed the turbo, the problem wouldn't have been fixed as the actuator doesn't come with the replacement turbo, not impressed...

 

well I can't imagine any reputable place supplying a turbo without the actuator mate especially Skoda dealers... anyway it's good to hear you have it sorted now