300 Tdi Turbo. Repair or Replace ?

Hi Guys --

New member, so apologies if this topic has already been done to death.

The turbo on my 160k miles 300 has just started making an unfamiliar screeching noise at higher rpm and is passing what seems an excessive amount of oil into the inlet tract, so I'm guessing it's getting to the end of the line.

Question is, do I fit a new OE one, or repair it with a new centre section that has all the wear bits ? I notice one major lister on Ebay, from Latvia, for these centre sections --- has anyone used their stuff successfully, or otherwise ? I am increasingly paranoid about aftermarket stuff as so much of it seems to be absolute junk, these days. Problem is that if I go halfway and get a rebuild, I equally have no idea of the quality of the components used.

If I decide to go for new, any suggestions for the best deal ? Best new price I've found so far, for an original is about £480 plus the dreaded vat.

Any thoughts or advice most welcome.

Mike.

hi mike

you could try a scrap yard first possibley as they charge about £150 pound for complete turbo or least were i go any way, with manifold so just a strate swap nice and easy. also you can check to see if there is any play in the turbo before commiting to but it. but it is up to you but that would be the cheapest option that i now of and keeps you gowing.

thats my surgestion any way mike but what ever you do fit ome turbo's as a friend off mine bought an after market thing and it lasted 4 months then let go. or upgrade and put a vgt on and gain some low end grunt and performance.

cheers taz

I would fit a remanufactured turbo I fitted one to a 300tdi and it was spot on and came with a 12 month warranty it was £220 plus vat from turbo active with next day delivery in my opinion slightly more money than a scrap yard one but why risk a second hand one that may only last a couple of months
I have also fitted 2 remanufactured vnt turbos to 2 vw golfs with no problems one was mine which is still running great with 180 bhp (remapped)

got one from a 1996 300 tdi if you go down second hand route
can supply only the turbo or complete with manifold
rgards
mike
ps text is quicker
07831180964

I got a new 300tdi turbo for £80 is who you know

Does that post mean you can get mike one for £80 ? if it's who you know (or is who you know a "special" friend ), and can I have one for a spare ?

tony3001 said:

Does that post mean you can get mike one for £80 ? if it's who you know (or is who you know a "special" friend ), and can I have one for a spare ?

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I was very lucky to fall on it to be honest, part of an engine for axle swap

Well, after a lot of pondering, decided to replace the centre core section, which with the exception of the wastegate actuator and gate is the only moving part. After digging around, came across the 'Melett' company, who actually make the pieces here in the UK. OK -- there may still be some Chinese bits in it, but at least if it goes t**s up quickly, should have some come back.

The cost was a tad over £200. Really not too bad a job, if you're tempted. First and obvious step is removal of the whole assembly, which is a pretty self evident set of processes. I made the mistake (I think) of undoing the oil return pipe from the bottom of the turbo. That's OK for removal, but almost impossible to readily refit in situ, on reassembly, so best undone at the outset at the block. If like me, you can't get a socket on a couple of the downpipe flange nuts, try a cheap, thin tubular spanner instead, using a socket over the spare end. Worked a treat.

Once I had the complete assembly on the bench, I realise I should have marked the relative positions of all three parts (manifold housing, centre core and compressor end housing) as this would have saved me having to temporarily reposition it all during reassembly to get the new bit right. Removal of the compressor end was a doddle. Prise the E clip off the wastegate actuator rod and then the rod off the wastegate crank. The end cover is secured by a large circlip on the centre core side. On mine at least, this came out with no resistance and I was able to lift away the cover.

By some margin, the trickiest part was the removal of the four bolts that secure the core to the manifold. These were very disinclined to budge. First point to note is they are half inch, not 13mm. (on mine, anyway) Don't try anything less than a perfect fit spanner. Applied some serious heat and on the two where access was impeded by fins on the core, snapped the fins off, as I was going to sling it anyway. Finally got all four out unscathed along with the clamp pieces. The core just lifted out.

To borrow Mr Haynes favourite phrase, reassembly is the reverse of dismantling. Take great care not to ding any blades as they are all balanced and tested. Watch that the fine O ring on the compressor side doesn't pop up over its lip before you have a chance to fit the housing. Fit to the marks you have made and refit the circlip and four bolts. Fit the return oil pipe, using a new gasket (£0.66 !). Be sure to put some priming oil in the top feed port before reattaching the pressure oil feed pipe. Fiddliest bit of reassembly is getting the return oil pipe tube nut started and fastened, I thought.

I was surprised looking at the old unit that while the compressor blades appeared pretty knacked, the housing was almost unmarked.

Mike.

Good write up,shame theres no pics

MPfive said:

Good write up,shame theres no pics

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It was Friday -- horizontal snow, fingers so cold couldn't really feel spanners, temper knob set to 11 --- it's a wonder I have any recollection, never mind photos !!

Mike.

onthecut said:

It was Friday -- horizontal snow, fingers so cold couldn't really feel spanners, temper knob set to 11 --- it's a wonder I have any recollection, never mind photos !!

Mike.

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Ha ha.fair shout. Defo food for thought if a turbo go's.