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If turbo blown, will the car start?

Seatmann

Rough around the edges
Sep 16, 2010
5,575
10
Scotlanda
Oil gets low, bearings get hot, seals fail, turbo's knackered, that's my guess lol

Seriously though, what else could kill a turbo other than a lack of lubrication? I remember when I had my old renault 5 gordini turbo, you had to let it idle for a bit to allow the oil to cool down so it didn't cook in the turbo bearings. I suppose the same thing applies to tdi's if they've been driven fairly hard.
 

Masterkm

My Leon 'Alyssa'
Jul 11, 2011
2,860
2
Halesowen, West Mids
Did you find out what went wrong with the old turbo?

From what my brother told me when he took it to the turbo specialists, they said that a small rock/stone got to it and wrecked the bearing/internals to it. Not sure how much of that is true but the insides were pretty much wrecked.

Just waiting on my oil feed pipe now and will get it all back together. Could the oil pump be messed up too which maybe did not feed the oil to the rest of the car?
 

Redemption

Active Member
Jun 18, 2011
1,771
6
Hampshire
From what my brother told me when he took it to the turbo specialists, they said that a small rock/stone got to it and wrecked the bearing/internals to it. Not sure how much of that is true but the insides were pretty much wrecked.

Just waiting on my oil feed pipe now and will get it all back together. Could the oil pump be messed up too which maybe did not feed the oil to the rest of the car?

If the turbo has ingested something then you want to making sure it doesn't happen again. Changing the oil and oil filter is essential and you also want to be replacing the air filter and checking that everything is ok in that dept. Doesn't take much to wreck a turbo compressor wheel when something hits it due to the high speeds they're spinning at.
 

Masterkm

My Leon 'Alyssa'
Jul 11, 2011
2,860
2
Halesowen, West Mids
get garage to check oil pressure

Got my dad to tell the mechanic about oil pump etc as i cant get out of work :(

If the turbo has ingested something then you want to making sure it doesn't happen again. Changing the oil and oil filter is essential and you also want to be replacing the air filter and checking that everything is ok in that dept. Doesn't take much to wreck a turbo compressor wheel when something hits it due to the high speeds they're spinning at.

That is definately the case, ordered a panel filter from awesome this time to help increase airflow, got new oil and oil filter to go with it too.
 

Nath.

The Gentlemans Express
Jan 1, 2006
8,620
16
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE
Oil gets low, bearings get hot, seals fail, turbo's knackered, that's my guess lol

Seriously though, what else could kill a turbo other than a lack of lubrication?

Excess oil pressure due to over filling of the oil? This can pop the turbo oil seals and then we all know about the smoke and also the TDI's can runaway.
 

micky 32

Full Member
Oct 30, 2003
630
0
Longford, Ireland
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Believe it or not i have seen TDI engines not starting due to a faulty turbo. if the turbo seizes and won't spin it can restrict the air flow into the engine. I saw a PD130 do this recently.
 

Masterkm

My Leon 'Alyssa'
Jul 11, 2011
2,860
2
Halesowen, West Mids
Ok small update,

The garage has said they have fitted it all back together, but the car is still pushing out white smoke. Is this going to happen for a bit or is something still wrong?
 
Last edited:

Marshall

Active Member
Jul 7, 2008
3,256
6
Bonnie Scotland
If its it's used all the oil previously the car could smoke for 50 miles or so then maybe little bits now and again for a while.
If your happy oil and water are not being used it will stop.
 

Seatmann

Rough around the edges
Sep 16, 2010
5,575
10
Scotlanda
Yeh there'll be shed loads still in the exhaust to burn off, you'd never clean that lot out.

As suggested though, just keep an eye on your levels and drive the car a bit, I would try it down the dueler for a good run to allow the exhaust to get fully hot.
 

Masterkm

My Leon 'Alyssa'
Jul 11, 2011
2,860
2
Halesowen, West Mids
Really appreciate all your help guys :)

Well just got back off a local 20mile town run, duel carriagways etc but took it easy. Sounds perfect, whistlin gone. Going to check levels tomorrow as was too dark, smoke has pretty much gone but need to check again in daylight.

Only bad thing, bloody badge off the grill has fallen back… need to get that sorted and put my splitter back on :)

Other than that, im rollin' again :D
 

Masterkm

My Leon 'Alyssa'
Jul 11, 2011
2,860
2
Halesowen, West Mids
So checked oil and coolant levels and oil is perfect. Coolant is inbetween the 2 lines. Smoke came out a bit on cold start up but after a bit it stopped.

The garage mechanic said to me that it is best if I change the oil and oil filter again after doing 100miles or so, is he correct or just wanting me to spend more money?
 
Last edited:

Marshall

Active Member
Jul 7, 2008
3,256
6
Bonnie Scotland
If it already had a change when the turbo was fitted I would do it at 500 miles or 1000 miles just incase.
Then back to normal service intervals.


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