Engine: TDI: - Intermitent Turbo

diplomat2.6 · Mar 16th, 2018, 08:49

Hi all

All ideas welcome. - here are the key facts.

1996 850 Tdi Auto
Turbo doesn’t operate about 50% of time.
Not dependent on engine temp or weather
No smoke
Lost 10mpg
Intercooler dripping with oil and oil consumption about 500ml in 3k miles (never used to use any)
Lambda sensor light in about 10% of time
Smell of raw diesel sometimes, usually when no boost
230k miles
Regular 5k oil changes

All help welcome!

Baffler · Mar 16th, 2018, 18:23

Remove the fresh air hose going from the MAF meter to the turbo and check for play on the turbine shaft...minute play is normal...and that it spins freely. A very light residue of oil is expected in that area but nothing more.

When were the cam and fuel pump belts last replaced?

T5Sweep · Mar 16th, 2018, 21:54

If there's oil in the cooler I'd dare say the turkey is buggered, as above, check it for any shaft play, a bit of side to side is okay but in and out is bad news.

T5Sweep · Mar 16th, 2018, 21:57

99% sure that was supposed to say turbo, I wouldn't recommend checking your turkeys shaft for play!

diplomat2.6 · Mar 17th, 2018, 08:54

A thanks all
Will have a look today and report back. They seem to be about £180 recon, if needed. that's not bad at all. Anyone done the job?

diplomat2.6 · Mar 18th, 2018, 08:10

Good news

As it turns out, on closer inspection of the underside of the vacuum pipe, it had been rubbing on the battery terminal to the point it had made a very small hole. Early indications are that this has fixed the issue. Other than this, the vacuum pipe was in reasonable condition, so it didn't attract my attention at the first inspection.

That is a relief.

In response to Baffler's question, the timing belt was last done 60K ago (about 5 years), but I didn't do the pump belt as the total for the job would be nudging four figures. It does need a new crank pulley as it is starting to wobble. I guess it is time to start thinking about this again, the difficulty in my head is what penalties they are going to start putting on 'dirty diesels'.

Can anyone recommend a garage with a real passion for the Tdi engine? A friend has offered to help me change the belts, but I am concerned about the dynamic timing aspect. I note there is now a Youtube series explaining this in detail.

petrohl34d · Mar 19th, 2018, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by T5Sweep

If there's oil in the cooler I'd dare say the turkey is buggered, as above, check it for any shaft play, a bit of side to side is okay but in and out is bad news.

A little oil in the cooler is normal on these engines.

Mar 16th, 2018, 08:49	#1
diplomat2.6 Junior Member Last Online: May 2nd, 2023 13:21 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northants	Intermitent Turbo Hi all All ideas welcome. - here are the key facts. 1996 850 Tdi Auto Turbo doesn’t operate about 50% of time. Not dependent on engine temp or weather No smoke Lost 10mpg Intercooler dripping with oil and oil consumption about 500ml in 3k miles (never used to use any) Lambda sensor light in about 10% of time Smell of raw diesel sometimes, usually when no boost 230k miles Regular 5k oil changes All help welcome!

Mar 16th, 2018, 18:23	#2
Baffler Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:43 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Co. Limerick, Ireland	Remove the fresh air hose going from the MAF meter to the turbo and check for play on the turbine shaft...minute play is normal...and that it spins freely. A very light residue of oil is expected in that area but nothing more. When were the cam and fuel pump belts last replaced? __________________ Liam... '96 854 TDI SE, '99 V70 2.5D S, '05 C70 2.0T Collection, '05 S80 2.0T SE, '15 V70 D4 SE Lux Nav.

Mar 16th, 2018, 21:54	#3
T5Sweep Master Member Last Online: Oct 24th, 2022 09:28 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Peterborough	If there's oil in the cooler I'd dare say the turkey is buggered, as above, check it for any shaft play, a bit of side to side is okay but in and out is bad news.

Mar 16th, 2018, 21:57	#4
T5Sweep Master Member Last Online: Oct 24th, 2022 09:28 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Peterborough	99% sure that was supposed to say turbo, I wouldn't recommend checking your turkeys shaft for play!

Mar 17th, 2018, 08:54	#5
diplomat2.6 Junior Member Last Online: May 2nd, 2023 13:21 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northants	A thanks all Will have a look today and report back. They seem to be about £180 recon, if needed. that's not bad at all. Anyone done the job?

Mar 18th, 2018, 08:10	#6
diplomat2.6 Junior Member Last Online: May 2nd, 2023 13:21 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northants	Good news As it turns out, on closer inspection of the underside of the vacuum pipe, it had been rubbing on the battery terminal to the point it had made a very small hole. Early indications are that this has fixed the issue. Other than this, the vacuum pipe was in reasonable condition, so it didn't attract my attention at the first inspection. That is a relief. In response to Baffler's question, the timing belt was last done 60K ago (about 5 years), but I didn't do the pump belt as the total for the job would be nudging four figures. It does need a new crank pulley as it is starting to wobble. I guess it is time to start thinking about this again, the difficulty in my head is what penalties they are going to start putting on 'dirty diesels'. Can anyone recommend a garage with a real passion for the Tdi engine? A friend has offered to help me change the belts, but I am concerned about the dynamic timing aspect. I note there is now a Youtube series explaining this in detail.

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