Do you know what could have caused this? I have a 2009 2.0 TDI PD with 140 bhp with 99,000 miles. Yesterday, while driving, I experienced a boost cut at around 3,000 RPM, and the car became very sluggish. I heard a metallic rattling noise, but I couldn't stop immediately because I was on a dangerous road. I managed to drive about 500 meters to a safe place, where I noticed grey smoke coming from the exhaust, which then turned white. I quickly turned off the engine to prevent further damage.

The recovery team said that it need to remove the head gasket to ensure there are no metal debris in the cylinders, intercooler, inlet manifold, exhaust manifold, CAT and hoses.

1 hour ago, 43576 said:

Do you know what could have caused this?

Failed turbo is often caused by worn bearing (siren type of noise when running) or break-up of the bearing.

A blockage of the oil feed pipe soon causes failure.

What causes the oil feed to be blocked? Weirdly, I service every 8,000 miles.

Oil specific 5w/40, 10w/40 and 15w/40 on my menu.

I used 5w/40, which is great for the UK, so how could it be blocked?

It is a cause that has been posted here before. You have done the right things to avoid this cause. However, it is worth checking the oil pipe when you replace the turbo.

Thats a proper failure. Mine went but it was just the seals so loads of smoke but turbo was intact. Once everything has been checked and a new turbo fitted with new oil and filter etc I would change oil and filter after 200 miles to make sure any debris from the old one is removed from engine.

Alasdair

I recored mine a couple of years ago, the tips of the turbine were sheared off when I took it out! I had a good shake of the cat to see where they had gone but nothing came out, absolutely no sign of them.

Yours is clearly a bit worse state, on replacement I'd be running the engine for a few moments with the oil return disconnected to make sure there's a steady stream of lubricant evident flowing through the turbo.

On 04/11/2025 at 22:33, chrisund123 said:

I'd be running the engine for a few moments with the oil return disconnected to make sure there's a steady stream of lubricant evident flowing through the turbo.

That sounds like a very smart idea.

Make sure it's the return line so the turbo is still oiled, and you get to see the flow through the turbo

My engine has been rebuilt. Today, I had a nice chat with a guy who walked past me. He mentioned that he had a 1.9 TDI PD 115 Passat, which he found to be a very reliable engine, the before it was Transporter T4 2.5TDI a brilliant engine. However, he said his girlfriend bought a VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 BHP BKD 2010, the same engine as mine, and he claimed the car wasn't very reliable, although he didn't specify the issues but problem with DSG.

I was wondering, in the future, if I decide to buy another VAG vehicle, which petrol and diesel engines would be the best? Also, which ones should I avoid?