symptoms of a failing turbo?

[kevinm0131]

Hi guys,
Anyone with VW turbo experience? My daughter has a 2000 VW Beetle with the 1.8t. Recently a shop told her that her turbo was failing, said there was oil in the airbox. Now she has been losing some oil, perhaps a quart and a half every 4k miles with no sign of a leak. So what are the symptoms of a failing turbo? She wa shoping for this car to last her through college which is about another 1.5 years. I plan on getting a look at it in the daytime soon to see what I can see.

Thanx,
Kevin

[waltjrUM]

As far as I know that sounds about right. Oil in the air box could also mean there is too high of oil pressure going to the turbo, which could be fixed with a restrictor on the oil feed line. However, assuming the car is stock, that's likely not the case. If the turbo seals are indeed going, you would probably also see some blueish smoke out of the tail pipe, but probably not constantly.

[Edsel1134]

Pull the pipe going from the tb to the turbo and the other air intake pipe for the cooler. Booth will have oil. Also and change in mpg acceleration, and random smoke from the exhaust. Eventually it will eat itself up and begin to make a blow dryer noise.. Hope that helps

[BuildItYourSelf]

You can also check the PCV valve. It should run from the valve cover and in between the airbox and inlet of the compressor. Take it off clean it and check its function. Air should only flow one direction. (This is a very common problem with my old turbo car.)

[GeoffA]

My '02 1.8 GTi is probably failing too, but I have 180xxx on her. Vw s are known to burn oil. Make sure she has some extra in the boot to top it off ( show her how).

She'll probably feel less powerful/ not pull as hard as she use to.

How many miles on the bug?

[fengstang]

Time to upgrade to a Garrett turbo lulz

[kevinm0131]

136K bought used so unsure of previous care, but, overall has been a good car.

Thanx for all the responses. Anyone ever change one before? Doing some studying and it seems you can do a full turbo or just the cartridge. Also doeas anyone know of a good source for a new or reman one?
Kevin

My '02 1.8 GTi is probably failing too, but I have 180xxx on her. Vw s are known to burn oil. Make sure she has some extra in the boot to top it off ( show her how).

She'll probably feel less powerful/ not pull as hard as she use to.

How many miles on the bug?

[Edsel1134]

136K bought used so unsure of previous care, but, overall has been a good car.

Thanx for all the responses. Anyone ever change one before? Doing some studying and it seems you can do a full turbo or just the cartridge. Also doeas anyone know of a good source for a new or reman one?
Kevin

Replacing the turbo is a lot of work.. It's the same man hours to replace the intervals as buying a new one.. But do u know anything about timing the turbo and what not.. Lot safer and less pain to replace the turbo all together. Thy way if something is wrong it has warranty

[GeoffA]

If your going to replace the turbo and nothing else, either stay stock or do a k04 upgrade...

But with the amount of miles on the car and only maybe a year left or bit lomger to keep it I'd just drive it.