Hello, 

My 2015 Octavia VRS has been in to RRG Skoda in Bolton this week, and they have diagnosed that my car has a defective turbo, and needs a £1900 replacement. 

The car drives fine, no smoke, no loss of power, no oil leaks, but when I accelerate the EPC light comes on, on the dashboard. I’ve spoken to the garage and they’re adamant that the turbo is knackered, but when I pressed them they said there was a problem with the turbo actuator, but as this is “inside” the turbo, it can’t be repaired or replaced separately. Does anyone know if this is the case, and is anyone aware of any turbo specialists in the Lancashire area who would undertake repairs, including removal and refitting?

thanks 

Matt

I believe the actuator can be replaced separately. The dealers may only supply complete turbos though. 

For all we know there may be something amiss within the wastegate of the turbo that causes the actuator to fail. Are they going to give any goodwill/warranty contribution given the cars age ?

 

https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/octavia-3/spare-parts/engine/turbocharger-intercooler/turbocharger-69.html

1 hour ago, classic said:

I believe the actuator can be replaced separately. The dealers may only supply complete turbos though. 

For all we know there may be something amiss within the wastegate of the turbo that causes the actuator to fail. Are they going to give any goodwill/warranty contribution given the cars age ?

No, they just said that it’s wear and tear. And because the car had 109000 miles on it. 

If there's no power loss, I wouldn't have thought it to be the turbo/actuator. When that throws an error (and EPC light) the engine normally goes straight into limp mode and then you are struggling to go above 30mph.

 

Some VAG turbos can have actuators changed, others cant.

 

Did they give you the error codes, alternatively invest in a cheap OBD reader from ECP/ Carparts4less for under £20 to examine the codes yourself.

 

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/tools/car-service-tools/diagnostic-tools/diagnostic/?548775301&0&t5_399

Mine has just done exactly the same with 40k on it, 3 months warranty left and got a new one under warranty. After they interrogated the car looking for tunes and modifications, weren’t happy with me unplugging the kiddy toy engine sound. Symptoms identical. Obviously some **** turbos around in these things. 

2 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

Mine has just done exactly the same with 40k on it, 3 months warranty left and got a new one under warranty. After they interrogated the car looking for tunes and modifications, weren’t happy with me unplugging the kiddy toy engine sound. Symptoms identical. Obviously some **** turbos around in these things. 

Did they go into anymore detail about what the actual problem was?

The problem is the waste gate sticking or the actuator itself. Gives underboost and overboost faults. Fairly common on these. 

 

It is electrically operated from the ecu and integrated into the turbo not like an old vacuum operated external device. If your out of warranty take it to an independent and get a service exchange turbo. We have Vasstech in North, you should have similar places around or a turbo repair specialist. Don’t waste your money at dealerships if it’s out of warranty 

26 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

The problem is the waste gate sticking or the actuator itself. Gives underboost and overboost faults. Fairly common on these. 

 

It is electrically operated from the ecu and integrated into the turbo not like an old vacuum operated external device. If your out of warranty take it to an independent and get a service exchange turbo. We have Vasstech in North, you should have similar places around or a turbo repair specialist. Don’t waste your money at dealerships if it’s out of warranty 

Thanks. I really appreciate your reply, it’s been very helpful. I better get looking for a local independent VAG specialist, and an local independent turbo specialist in that case! 

On 09/02/2019 at 11:24, mattob said:

Hello, 

My 2015 Octavia VRS has been in to RRG Skoda in Bolton this week, and they have diagnosed that my car has a defective turbo, and needs a £1900 replacement. 

The car drives fine, no smoke, no loss of power, no oil leaks, but when I accelerate the EPC light comes on, on the dashboard. I’ve spoken to the garage and they’re adamant that the turbo is knackered, but when I pressed them they said there was a problem with the turbo actuator, but as this is “inside” the turbo, it can’t be repaired or replaced separately. Does anyone know if this is the case, and is anyone aware of any turbo specialists in the Lancashire area who would undertake repairs, including removal and refitting?

thanks 

Matt

Hi. Just to say that I have had the same experience and no loss of power like you said. However my Octavia had only 16k miles and was sorted under warranty. I was informed that the turbo actuator was loose and required some bracket or other. Anyway I'm not a mechanic but it seems unlikely that you would have no loss of power in the event of turbo being totally knackered.  I would consult elsewhere !

11 hours ago, mattob said:

I better get looking for a local independent VAG specialist, and an local independent turbo specialist in that case! 

Always use an independent VAG specialist over Skoda garages, there's no end of complaints from owners on here about 'stock' servicing / diagnostics with drastic financial requests...

 

Personally I always use specialists as a) they know what they're on about, and b) the quality of service is always much higher (they have more to prove).

 

Re: the actuator issue; I had the exact same thing last year in July with my turbo actuator 'sticking'. Car went into limp mode, showed errors on EPC and (weirdly) Auto Start-Stop. Took it to local specialist (QS Tuning), and using VCDS they diagnosed that the actuator had 'stuck'. Apparently this occurs very occasionally due to heat build-up over time - with this being a very hot day in summer during some 'spirited' driving, and it's more of an infrequent occurrence - and nothing requiring a full turbo replacement! Which sounds instead like either Skoda have misdiagnosed or want to shaft you out of more money...

 

Either way, they manually moved the actuator all the way out and back (car off, using VCDS) a few times, and then reset the errors. Test drove car with no issues, and has been fine since. I would recommend seeking independent VAG specialist advice and see what the outcome is. I'm not saying it may be the turbo itself, but the fact that the car still drives fine sounds more like the issue above.

Edited 11 February, 20197 yr by Ads230

1 hour ago, Ads230 said:

Always use an independent VAG specialist over Skoda garages, there's no end of complaints from owners on here about 'stock' servicing / diagnostics with drastic financial requests...

 

Personally I always use specialists as a) they know what they're on about, and b) the quality of service is always much higher (they have more to prove).

 

Re: the actuator issue; I had the exact same thing last year in July with my turbo actuator 'sticking'. Car went into limp mode, showed errors on EPC and (weirdly) Auto Start-Stop. Took it to local specialist (QS Tuning), and using VCDS they diagnosed that the actuator had 'stuck'. Apparently this occurs very occasionally due to heat build-up over time - with this being a very hot day in summer during some 'spirited' driving, and it's more of an infrequent occurrence - and nothing requiring a full turbo replacement! Which sounds instead like either Skoda have misdiagnosed or want to shaft you out of more money...

 

Either way, they manually moved the actuator all the way out and back (car off, using VCDS) a few times, and then reset the errors. Test drove car with no issues, and has been fine since. I would recommend seeking independent VAG specialist advice and see what the outcome is. I'm not saying it may be the turbo itself, but the fact that the car still drives fine sounds more like the issue above.

Thanks for replying. Another great post. My car also had the ‘stop-start error’ message coming up. I’m virtually certain that this is the same issue. I’m going to book it in to a local (Preston) independent VAG tuning specialist and ask them to do the VCDS thing you mentioned. I’ll update soon. Thanks again. Great forum. 

5 hours ago, mattob said:

Thanks for replying. Another great post. My car also had the ‘stop-start error’ message coming up. I’m virtually certain that this is the same issue. I’m going to book it in to a local (Preston) independent VAG tuning specialist and ask them to do the VCDS thing you mentioned. I’ll update soon. Thanks again. Great forum. 

 

Where are you taking it? Be keen to know and how you get on. I'm local to Preston myself and also out of warranty but still use main dealer for servicing.

Yes i got the stop start errors too and occasional limp mode and MIL light once. Mine failed in the coldest of times around xmas. Turbos are red hot so don't think the time of year makes much if any difference. I found I start it with no errors, pull away then as soon as the turbo starts to boost, epc light on. I just ignored it for a couple of miles then stopped, turned off back on and no more problems the rest of the day. So it actually sticks when its colder not warm weather. The problem isn't the turbo itself, no loss of power,  it is the wastegate or actuator servo sticking. Unfortunately it is built into the turbo on these and not a easily swappable part. Thats probably why it fails it gets too hot and distorts. The case of the actuator looks plastic, see picture, thats my brand new turbo with 3 months warranty to spare. I suspect a lot more a waiting to fail. The lad said he's now changed a few.  But beware they interrogate the car for modifications.  Turbo specialist will repair them i'm pretty sure of that. 

On 11/02/2019 at 16:05, ahenners said:

 

Where are you taking it? Be keen to know and how you get on. I'm local to Preston myself and also out of warranty but still use main dealer for servicing.

I’m going to try that ADS Automotive, as they seem like they’re more geared towards VAG performance cars, so I’ll keep you posted how I get on. 

On 12/02/2019 at 23:02, teescom09 said:

Yes i got the stop start errors too and occasional limp mode and MIL light once. Mine failed in the coldest of times around xmas. Turbos are red hot so don't think the time of year makes much if any difference. I found I start it with no errors, pull away then as soon as the turbo starts to boost, epc light on. I just ignored it for a couple of miles then stopped, turned off back on and no more problems the rest of the day. So it actually sticks when its colder not warm weather. The problem isn't the turbo itself, no loss of power,  it is the wastegate or actuator servo sticking. Unfortunately it is built into the turbo on these and not a easily swappable part. Thats probably why it fails it gets too hot and distorts. The case of the actuator looks plastic, see picture, thats my brand new turbo with 3 months warranty to spare. I suspect a lot more a waiting to fail. The lad said he's now changed a few.  But beware they interrogate the car for modifications.  Turbo specialist will repair them i'm pretty sure of that. 

Did Skoda just replace the full turbo, as it was still under warranty. Thanks the reply and picture, it gives me something to go on. Your symptoms are identical to mine. EPC light stays off until I accelerate then comes on. Goes off when engine is turned off and on again. 

6 hours ago, mattob said:

I’m going to try that ADS Automotive, as they seem like they’re more geared towards VAG performance cars, so I’ll keep you posted how I get on. 

 

Yes they never seem to be short of work 

I was quoted £1400 at Skoda for a similar issue on our Mk2 1.2TSi.

 

£245 from a local VAG specialist for a new electric actuator. That was over a year and 10k miles ago and it's been perfect since.

Hi,

 

I've had similar issue on my '13 VRS TSI, i've had it diagnosed and they think the actuator is at fault but can't guarantee that the turbo isn't causing the issue. They are giving the option of replacement actuator @ £700 or new turbo @ £1900.

 

The turbo is definitely restricted once the EPC light is on, but not to 30mph - rather just the turbo is disabled. However, if I restart the engine a few times, there is a point where the light will not come on and the engine and turbo is working. This suggests to me that the actuator alone is the issue?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

A OEM grade actuator can be got for £200 to £250. Maybe cheaper if you trust some ebay suppliers from OS.  Mahle I think was OEM. You CAN NOT usually get it from VW, has to be OEM from another parts source.

 

So £450 to fit?  Seems like quite a lot. depends on how much stuff needs to be taken off. Did they say how many hours? This must be an independent, as VW won't normally offer you the actuator repair alone?

 

With it being a £700 quote, to replace only the actuator, that is getting up there, it is not a cheap repair to try and to have no come back without any guarantee?

 

On the other hand if it was £250 or less, and I did it myself, that is a different equation.

 

What is the actual fault code and have they removed the actuator linkage connection and moved the wastegate arm to check operation?  The fact that it will operate sometimes without fault after resets does perhaps point to the actuator, but £700 sure without any other information or checks?  I couldn't be certain.

 

I had this on my 2-00 VRS tdi. MK 111 Light  came on & into limp mode on a motorway trip. Pulled over at the services and restarted after 5 mins then fine for  another 20 miles.

It must have done it 10 times in 150 miles . I got a reader and it gave over/under boost codes but cant remember the codes now.

Anyway the actuator is/was working fine but the turbo vanes are sticking.   If you want to cure the sticking vanes yourselves you need a clawsfoot spanner & a can off Mr Muscle oven cleaner and 6" of copper brake pipe.  Take out the top sensor in the Turbo outlet, bend the cooper pipe into a ? mark shape  and feed it into the top off the turbo housing '

You now need the valve from a WD40 can, the 1 with a 6" tube on it fitted on the Mr Muscle can. Put the tube into the copper pipe and give it around a 5 sec's blast.   Do it when its hot and leave overnight. When you 1st do it you will see the foam in the bottom of the turbo housing. I always leave it soaking overnight before starting the engine as then its turned into liquid.  You know when its working as after around 10 nights you can get  10secs  into it and not see any foam in the turbo. I got it down to 4mins to get the sensor out and give it a blast. You dont even have to take the engine cover off.

I had it first happen at around 106K its now on 112K and running fine.  I was going to take the turbo off for an  exchange unit until I got underneath it !!!! 

 

There aren't vanes on the tsi 230. It uses an ihi  turbo with a wastegate. 

Thanks for the responses!

 

i had it out tonight and EPC light off after one restart and then the turbo seems to be full power or near to.

 

I trust the guys, they checked the error code for free initially and then on that inspection there they didn't charge me. Im unsure if they removed the linkage and moved the wastegate arm. They said that 80% of the time the actuator fails it is the turbo that causes?

 

Would i still be able to get near full power if the turbo has an issue?

 

Sorry im not techy at all (obviously)

Guess they mean wastegate play could be causing boost issues rather than actuator being the cause?

 

I couldn't say on the info provided. A scan may help a bit. Some data logging of specified vs delivered boost may enlighten also.

1 hour ago, dcalder said:

Thanks for the responses!

 

i had it out tonight and EPC light off after one restart and then the turbo seems to be full power or near to.

 

I trust the guys, they checked the error code for free initially and then on that inspection there they didn't charge me. Im unsure if they removed the linkage and moved the wastegate arm. They said that 80% of the time the actuator fails it is the turbo that causes?

 

Would i still be able to get near full power if the turbo has an issue?

 

Sorry im not techy at all (obviously)

If the turbo is not working correctly you will not get full power and run into compression issues and poor mixture/combustion. That can lead to other issues such as extra fuel being sent down the exhaust and kill the cat convertor etc

I would try the getting the actuator fitted and is probably something you could fit yourself as they arent difficult to do. You might need someone to adapt it for you but there is a huge list of vcds owners who help out.