Hello,

The 1.9 TDI 4x4 Estate I'm looking at had a "turbo collapse" at 12k miles which was replaced under warranty. Do I need to be concerned about this in any way, would such a collapse affect other engine components in an adverse way?

Regards,

Richard.

It depends on how it 'went' - but if it's under warranty the engine should be checked over really. Should be ok really though

They really only do one thing. Seize up and get replaced.

Not to worry, there's no way these can be repaired, you have a new turbo in and everything is fine.

It's a little more than just seize up.

They generally manage to spread a bit of oil about the place, either topping up the intercooler or the cat - both should be checked.

not to mention any metal particles that may have been dragged through the engine.

Someone mentioned to me that these turbos need a bit of wellie every few weeks to keep them loosened up. Ambling around without opening the taps now and again seems to be a death sentence for the unit.

Mac

It's a little more than just seize up.

They generally manage to spread a bit of oil about the place, either topping up the intercooler or the cat - both should be checked.

He said the intercooler and the radiator had been replaced too (and possibly something else but it escapes me right now, don't think it was the cat).

I think it was done under warranty by Skoda, so I assume they knew what they were doing... probably.

More generally, turbo failure seems to be somewhat common with all turbo diesel cars. Is this the risk you take to get good performance from a diesel? Could it be argued that a diesel's economic advantage is slightly nullified if you have to risk a turbo replacement at some point in the car's life? And I'm guessing it costs a bomb to replace?!

R.

As long as it had a new intercooler and pipework at time then it will be absolutly fine.

I've now checked his email and it was new turbo, intercooler, intercooler and exhaust (which I guess covers the CAT), so sounds like it was completely changed?

Cheers,

R.

I've now checked his email and it was new turbo, intercooler, intercooler and exhaust (which I guess covers the CAT), so sounds like it was completely changed?

Cheers,

R.

Certainly does. No qualms there then. Also look on the bright side... who ever is selling you the car is being totally up front with you about history, never a bad thing.

Certainly does. No qualms there then. Also look on the bright side... who ever is selling you the car is being totally up front with you about history, never a bad thing.

(I didn't mean to write intercooler twice in my last email, one of those was supposed to be radiator!)

Yes, I've thought the same thing, if he's telling me about something like that then he's not trying to hide anything (I hope). It would put some people off so it's a gamble to tell me, however as long as I can establish that the car won't have suffered any detrimental effects because of it then it makes me happier to deal with him.

R.