TDi turbo won’t operate! Aaaargh...

[markiparki]

Hi, anyone got any magic tips on getting the turbo working on my '07 1.9 TDi?

It had the front end rebuilt and engine replaced with same code (BXE) after a shunt and as it gets up to a speed when the turbo should start, the speedo drops to zero - but it still runs, albeit not turbo assisted.

A specialist has looked at it and he changed the hubs as he felt it could be to do with the splined speed sensors on them.

No joy - and no more faults showing on VAGcom.

When the car was bent, the master brake cylinder was put out of true with the firewall. I don’t think that should affect it.

Would VW fix the turbo under warranty? I don’t think it’s necessarily due to the accident - who knows, if the driver was overtaking or pulling out at a junction the turbo cutting out might have caused it!

Help...

[pulsaret]

What happens when you free rev it neutral? You should be abel to here the turbo spool up.The engine should free rev to the limiter(about 4500rpm)

[markiparki]

Thanks pulsa ret,

The engine runs and will rev up sluggishly but the turbo seems to make no noise at all.

I spoke to an online technician (US based) and he said it could be a bent operating rod?

It's coming back from the local specialist tomorrow (he must surely have made sure it was all looking right?) and I might have to bite the bullet and take it to a dealer but I just see them saying it's had an accident and saying I'll have to pay!!!

I really don't see how banging the front can stop a turbo working?

[Teflon]

Why not take it to the dealer (under warranty) and see what they say? There's no reason why you should have to pay for the investigation and no reason why you have to tell them it has been bent. The new engine might be a clue, but a dealer that checks engine number against VIN is going to be the exception rahter than the rule. Worst case is that they blame the repair, so then it's back to the insurance company (the work should still be guaranteed) for them to complete the job properly.

A simple look at fault codes may not show up anything, but a proper diagnostic check will be able to look for dynamic variables like turbo boost pressure, air flow rates and a host of other stuff. There are a dozen or so different (non-accident related) reasons why your turbo might not want to come to the party and there is a shedload of info on this forum if you scratch around a bit.

I have to say though that I wouldn't buy a car at any price with the firewall so buckled that the master cylinder isn't straight. It sounds like you've got a bit of a dog on your hands.

[J400uk]

I don't think it would be covered by the warranty. Where is the car from was it an unrecorded write off?

[gsmmad]

car is still covered under warranty, however it all depends on the crash if its frontal they may use this as a reason not to do any engine repairs, but if anything inside goes wrong that would be covered.

[elPaulio]

There's only one way to find out, and that's to take it to them and ask them to investigate!!

No point in speculating really!

Paul :biglaugh:

[gsmmad]

i think pauls right, please do tell us what happens

[markiparki]

Yes - I know now what I didn't know when I bought it. He who dares wins - but also gets shafted occassionally...

[markiparki]

The guy who built/panelled the car for me initially said it didn't need jigging, the bend in the fire wall being so unobvious. The reservoir had come off but we thought it had just been knocked about in the accident. It was only when it was all nice and sparkly that he found the bloody Brake Fluid reservoir didn't actually fit. Doh... but what do you do? Could I gently ease the master cylinder down with a block of wood and a few gentle taps?
The firewall seems to have flexed a bit so maybe it'll flex back? Or will I just succeed in bending the vacuum unit?

[elPaulio]

I would suggest, if the firewall has not "flex'd back" then the car is not straight and requires putting on a jig to check it out.

If you got this done by your insurance company then you need to go back to them and say you are not happy.
You may get away with bending the master cylinder down but I doubt it, and even if you did you have no idea how this is going to affect the handling let alone the wear on the suspension. I have driven a car with a mildly bent chasis at the rear, and that was a complete dog to drive, wore through bushes within months!!

For safetys sake, if nothing else, please take this to someone who knows what they are doing and get it done right!!!

Paul :biglaugh: