Signs of bad seals on turbo

[my1stturbo]

Car is an 07 A4 with the 2.0 and roughly 70k on the clock. A few months ago noticed it was developing a big puff on smoke, followed by a CEL, when you got on the gas above 30 or so. CEL light was scanned and the code was for boost (don't remember the exact code, but looking here and online first thing to replace was DV which I did). Unfortunately that didn't make any difference. 1 shop said it might be the turbo, but haven't had time to get the car there for a full diagnostic. Wondering what other things I can look at besides turbo? If it is the turbo, what's best place to get OEM unit, either new or rebuilt? It's not my car and the driver isn't interested in any upgrades or flashing ECU.

[Theiceman]

id check for oil in the intercooler lines first , maybe injesting and burning oil.

[my1stturbo]

Yea, there is definitely oil in the IC, checked that too but forgot to mention. After draining it would kinda go into limp mode but no smoke. Smoke came back after a few weeks though if I recall.

[rhfosu]

Could be a cracked valve cover or a bad PCV, too. Those are known issues.

[Theiceman]

yup id be checking as stated above , check for internal cracks on VC . Do a search ... is it going through oil ?

[my1stturbo]

Cracked VC? Interesting. Was at the dealer the other day for the air bag repair and they mentioned the gasket needed to be replaced. Didn't realize there were issues with the cover itself.

[Theiceman]

Cracked VC? Interesting. Was at the dealer the other day for the air bag repair and they mentioned the gasket needed to be replaced. Didn't realize there were issues with the cover itself.

yeah lots of reading here just do a search , the cover top is a couple of chambers, if they crack they will draw in oil from the underside and you will never see it , well, except in the tail pipe maybe.

[Cyrik]

yeah lots of reading here just do a search , the cover top is a couple of chambers, if they crack they will draw in oil from the underside and you will never see it , well, except in the tail pipe maybe.

+1 for this. I literally had my turbo swapped out a couple weeks ago and turns out it was a crack in my valve cover all along. When you buy a replacement make sure it's an OEM valve cover :) I learned the hard way by going with an aftermarket one because it was cheaper.

[vce1232000]

Could be a cracked valve cover or a bad PCV, too. Those are known issues.

x2 to @

[ahotboy15]

Good Advice, thank you. OEM. also is used a bad idea?

+1 for this. I literally had my turbo swapped out a couple weeks ago and turns out it was a crack in my valve cover all along. When you buy a replacement make sure it's an OEM valve cover :) I learned the hard way by going with an aftermarket one because it was cheaper.

[dalmation53]

id check for oil in the intercooler lines first , maybe injesting and burning oil.

Wait oil in the intercoolers can cause it to loose boost?

Sent from my G3313 using Audizine mobile app

[Cyrik]

Good Advice, thank you. OEM. also is used a bad idea?

Used may not be a bad option especially off of a parts car (be sure to check if it's cracked first), but I would for sure replace the gasket. Never hurts to put on a brand new gasket, especially since they're cheap.

I ended up just outright buying the new part from an Audi Dealership. However with this comes a really high price. They quoted me at ~$520 before my shop discount (I work at a BMW dealership down the road) so be prepared.

If money is a little tight, go with the one that's on ECS, the genuine one. Just again make sure it doesn't have any cracks :) oh and remember that ECS doesn't have the same warranties compared to Audi.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Audizine mobile app

[Theiceman]

Good Advice, thank you. OEM. also is used a bad idea?

Fuck off !


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[dalmation53]

Used may not be a bad option especially off of a parts car (be sure to check if it's cracked first), but I would for sure replace the gasket. Never hurts to put on a brand new gasket, especially since they're cheap.

I ended up just outright buying the new part from an Audi Dealership. However with this comes a really high price. They quoted me at ~$520 before my shop discount (I work at a BMW dealership down the road) so be prepared.

If money is a little tight, go with the one that's on ECS, the genuine one. Just again make sure it doesn't have any cracks :) oh and remember that ECS doesn't have the same warranties compared to Audi.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Audizine mobile app

Bro don't reply to his bitch as anymore. Ignore him. He stole a turbo and never paid the guy

Sent from my G3313 using Audizine mobile app

[theguysinger]

Wait oil in the intercoolers can cause it to loose boost? Audizine mobile app

I really don’t think it makes you lose boost, but it can feel like you are losing boost because it’s forcing a ton of oil through the engine resulting in power loss. At least that’s what my car was doing.

I learned the hard way by going with an aftermarket one because it was cheaper.

+1. Don’t buy cheap, get OEM. I’m out $120 because the cheap one I bought was broken when I got it and they don’t do returns.

[vce1232000]

Buy a used oem 1. They come up here in classified from time to time

[Redryuu]

I’m curious if you would be able to grab one from a wrecked Mk5 2.0l. Same motor and all I don’t see why the valve cover would be different

[vce1232000]

I’m curious if you would be able to grab one from a wrecked Mk5 2.0l. Same motor and all I don’t see why the valve cover would be different

The oil cap neck height is different. You would not be able to the plastic engine cover

[Redryuu]

The oil cap neck height is different. You would not be able to the plastic engine cover

If the hood closes it might be a cheaper alternative for a while, I know a lot of the mk4 kids rarely run engine covers

[vce1232000]

If the hood closes it might be a cheaper alternative for a while, I know a lot of the mk4 kids rarely run engine covers

The MK5 oil cap neck actually sits lower. I dont have my engine cover on due to the BFI catch can lines

[Jet08]

I believe the VW Mk 5 has a detachable neck so it can be both high or low depending on whether the engine cover has been removed and the cosmetic treatment (remove neck extender and no engine cover.

[Cyrik]

Bro don't reply to his bitch as anymore. Ignore him. He stole a turbo and never paid the guy

Sent from my G3313 using Audizine mobile app

Oh. Kk


Sent from my Pixel XL using Audizine mobile app

[vce1232000]

I believe the VW Mk 5 has a detachable neck so it can be both high or low depending on whether the engine cover has been removed and the cosmetic treatment (remove neck extender and no engine cover.

Never ed into that. Next time I have to try to to see

[canadianA4B7]

I’m curious if you would be able to grab one from a wrecked Mk5 2.0l. Same motor and all I don’t see why the valve cover would be different

I believe someone busted the 2 open side by side and found the VW units had larger spaces inside. A friend just bought one of these to fix his minor VC issue. Fits fine hood closes no issues.

If turbo seals go out you’ll notice more wet oil coming out the tail pipe. Or you’ll see black exhaust from oil in the inter coolers. It might not happen often but under hard accelerations oil will pick up and go into the cylinders causing the black exhaust.

[my1stturbo]

Thanks for all the feedback on this, will definitely take a look at the VC first before taking the plunge on the turbo. Am I just looking for hairline cracks or would it be more obvious? Parts place seems to have them for around 300 so if that's what it is not terrible. Pricey, but a whole lot less work than swapping the turbo.

[rhfosu]

The oil cap neck height is different. You would not be able to the plastic engine cover

That riser they put in the mk5 valve covers can be removed. It is just glued in. However, just buy a new one. ECS has them on sale currently for $260. I bought mine off of ecs's ebay store for another 15% off with a promo code. It comes with all the gaskets and hardware. If you buy a used one, it may only be a few thousand miles from cracking too.

Also, I have a hard time believing the mk5 vc has "larger chambers". There might have been a rev to all the 2.0 VCs at some point, but even with VAG, I find it hard to believe they would spec slightly different chamber sizes on cross-platform engine valve covers. There's no reason for it. It wouldn't change anything.

[Theiceman]

Thanks for all the feedback on this, will definitely take a look at the VC first before taking the plunge on the turbo. Am I just looking for hairline cracks or would it be more obvious? Parts place seems to have them for around 300 so if that's what it is not terrible. Pricey, but a whole lot less work than swapping the turbo.

Search is your friend. Lots of pics


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[my1stturbo]

Bringing this back up. Car has had the turbo replaced (twice) had PCV valve replaced and has had the DVR replaced as well but still giving issues. Seems to be fine if you don't push the car, but when you get on it you will get a large cloud of white smoke. When the PcV was replaced it seemed to go away for a while, but then again the driver of the car who normally uses it doesn't push the car much. Looking to bring the car to a shop for a full look over but wanted to see about any other ideas.

[esandes]

Damn. Thanks for the update. How about the valve cover? It may be a bad head gasket? If coolant gets into the cylinder it will produce water vapour from the exhaust. Try a compression test.

[esandes]

Do you have to keep topping up the coolant level?

[esandes]

Or oil?

[my1stturbo]

I'll double check on topping it off. Actually a family members car so troubleshooting and investigating for them. Car is bone stock with under 70k on it and doesn't get much use to be honest. I know I've asked about oil in coolant before and was told there isn't any.

[TLR_0125]

Bringing this back up. Car has had the turbo replaced (twice) had PCV valve replaced and has had the DVR replaced as well but still giving issues. Seems to be fine if you don't push the car, but when you get on it you will get a large cloud of white smoke. When the PcV was replaced it seemed to go away for a while, but then again the driver of the car who normally uses it doesn't push the car much. Looking to bring the car to a shop for a full look over but wanted to see about any other ideas.

Any update on this? I have a oil consuming B8.5 and I'm trying to see if I'm having similar issues. Had engine swapped, and 2 new PCV valves.

[my1stturbo]

Any update on this? I have a oil consuming B8.5 and I'm trying to see if I'm having similar issues. Had engine swapped, and 2 new PCV valves.

Turned out to just be the valve cover. Swapped it out and haven't had any issues since.