a4 b7 2.0t turbo problem

[ksauce]

Hello fellow drivers,

Driving an '08 A4 b7 2.0t, 141k miles manual transmission. Had a check engine light pop up 3 days and 50 or so miles ago, finally had a chance to check it out. Code p0299, turbocharger underboost. never replaced the turbo on this car.

Symptoms: Not pulling consistently in first and second gear, slower than normal. I also put in a half quart of oil a week ago, and the light just popped up again saying I was down a quart, indicating I've burned through a little more than normal. Around 100 miles driven since I put that oil in 1 week ago. Seems like I've gone through a little more gas than normal but I can't tell for sure, been a lot of around town miles as of late.

I was looking into replacing the turbocharger re circulation valve, which was suggested by a local autozone/this error code, understand this is a $250 to $350 job unless I hear otherwise (I have no lift, so it will go to a shop). Called around, local Audi dealership said code could also indicate the need for an entirely new turbocharger... quoted me around $2500 over the phone. Not sure if the usual dealer talk or being serious.

Questions: 1. How far can I drive this car without wrecking the engine? 2. Does this look like the simple valve fix or a bigger turbo problem? 3. If I take it to a shop that isn't a dealership, what would I expect to pay to replace a turbo?

Any advice, help, etc. is greatly appreciated. I'm used to the NA engines and this is my first turbo from Audi.

[Sales@ECS Tuning]

Sounds to me like you may have a torn diverter valve. Very easy and cheap fix, under $100. Definitely a DIY-able job without a lift (I do all my work without a lift) a little searching on AZ will give you plenty of info on it. Here are the parts that *potentially* should fix the underboost:

B7 A4 Upgraded Piston Style Diverter Valve

All in all, as long as you have a jack, flat head screwdriver, torx bit set, and 15 mins of spare time you can do it no problem ;)

If you have any questions or need help with anything feel free to PM away or call me at ext 437

-Mike

[EvolutionArmory]

You've got an 08 so it most likely has a piston DV already but it can't hurt to check. If you need one I've got an OEM one that's used but only 3 weeks old.

Any time you have an underboost condition you need to do a pressure test of the intake track. Here's what I did for the same issue I had a few weeks ago.

Checked DV. Replaced it. Code came back

Pressure tested the intake track. No leaks. If you have an underboost code and no leaks, it's probably a bad wastegate.

Wiggled the wastegate actualtor arm. It had play.

Put a stethoscope on the turbo and had someone rev the motor. You could hear the wastegate flap rattle in the turbo. Turbo is junk.

As these cars get older, more and more often it's a bad wastegate flap. I hope I'm wrong but you probably need a new turbo.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xyAF2kPR8bM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bOlig6EUJ-8

- - - Updated - - -

[Sales@ECS Tuning]

Brand new turbo is roughly about $1000 on our site from Borg Warner:

New K03 Turbo, B7 A4

Going along with the post above, definitely do some in depth diagnosis before throwing any parts on it. Fingers crossed for you.

[canadianA4B7]

So quotes are outrageous, DV are a cheap piece to buy, but tricky to change but if you can get the front end off the ground safely and scurely u may as well do it yourself. Likely have a look in classifieds as sometimes ppl list them for we all know bad shit can happen.

Turbo charger replacement through dealer or any shop is way over priced. Your paying for the name out front not just the work being done. Used k03 I think there's one in classifieds now are usually anywhere from $200-600 depending condition and the person selling. Sold and did complete swap with a fellow member a few months back and in and out all finished in about 1/2 a day with 2 ppl. I've pulled a bunch of different turbos so my skill level may be a bit more then most new to the turbo engines.

Try the DV first yourself, also make yourself a boost leak tester, you may just have a coupling off and air leaking out. If your burning more fuel/oil check your PCV valve it's near firewall somewhat center of engine bay back of motor. If your getting black smoke out exhaust your burning oil could be from turbo seals could be from engine internals. Hell for that $2500 you could fly me out your way, we'll do the swap with a k03 I rebuild over the next week or so, fly me home turbo jobs done and all you paid for was a flight and beer! Hell id throw in a free DV if it was needed.

[EvolutionArmory]

Swapping a turbo is a 3-5 hour job. Pulling it out and swapping everything over takes the longest. Putting it back in and bolting everything back up is quick. A new OEM K03 is about a grand. Now factor in all the hardware needed, coolant, oil and 5 hours labor at dealer prices of $125 an hour and it doesn't seem so high of a quote for the dealer.

If you can find a shop that charges $80 bucks or less and does good work you might be able to get a turbo swap for under 2 grand.

[EvolutionArmory]

I just posted a 3 week old used OEM DV in the B7 classifieds for half off of what the dealer and ECS sells the OEM part for. If you need one, I got one 😉

[vce1232000]

I used http://timsturbos.com/ a few time to re- the chra's. In essence its a new turbo. Idk how your skills are but they only charge about $350.00 and they warranty all there work for a 1 year. The turn around time is about 48 hours after he receives your unit. You can send him the whole unit also. I comes back ing & line new