Turbo died!

[shinamura]

2 years ago, I bought my first car, the 00 A4 1.8T, and the turbo seems to have finally died. I no longer hear the "sssssss" turbo sound and don't feel any boost coming from it.

Before you all say go for the K04 and chip, I am a college student and on a very tight budget. I don't have much money, and don't know much about engines, but I'm willing to learn. Basically I just need a replacement K03, and I've done my research.

How much would it cost on average to install the replacement turbo. It's about 300-600 for the K03, but will I be expecting to dish out about 500ish for the installation? Or is it relatively easy to replace myself (I knowledgeable enough with tools). Also I read that the oil line for the turbo builds up sludge and should be replaced if the turbo's being replaced as well.

If anyone has any detailed instructions for DIY or has any experience with labor costs, please help me!

[Seerlah]

If you are willing to wrench, you can do it for failrly cheap. Used turbos for the B5/B6 A4 can be sought for $150-250, then you would need new gaskets and turbo bolts. Not sure on how you want to go about swapping the turbo, but I went a route that provided the most working room which made it easier but would require more gaskets. I removed the exhaust manifold that would make things easier, and would simply require the purchase of an extra exhuast manifold to cylinder head gasket. And unless you have/had a sludge issue, no need to replace the oil feed line (always run full synthetic). There are different ways to go about it, but this is what I did:

-purchased 3 new turbo to manifold bolts, and reused the washers. these bolts stretch and will need to be replaced
-purchased exhaust manifold to cylinder head gasket
-purchased turbo to cat gasket
-purchased oil drain gaskets for both oil pan and turbo
-purchased new washers for oil feed on turbo and coolant lines on turbo
-extra g12 coolant (I actually did a full flush at this time and replaced the resevoir)
-motor oil of your choice
-new oil filter

I really don't want to go into detail with a DIY, but you basically remove parts attached to the turbo, replace turbo, place everything back in, prime turbo, and crank engine. I would suggest you remove your airbox for working room. I did not have a DIY to go from when I did mine, and was the first time I did it. You will figure it out along the way if you have know abouts on what is what in your engine bay. First time took me a full day (because it was my first time). Second time took me like 4 hours, taking my time (had to do it a second time, because some jack*** on this forum board sold me a burnt turbo).

[shinamura]

Thanks! That really helps, I'm gonna take a closer look in the engine bay when it stops raining this week, and try and map out where I need to get to.

[Seerlah]

Forgot to add, you need the turbo to manifold gasket. But once you get in there, you should be able to figure it out if you are crafty.

[shinamura]

Could the issue also be a broken diverter valve? Ive got my hands an a used good condition turbo, will have it installed when it gets in

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Do you have a boost gauge? Whats the boost reading?

You can check codes with VAG-COM and log boost.

Jason

[durbans finest]

Its a good idea to do it yourself then at least you will know for next time and a tech will never be able to rip you off with labour charges and what what.....

Visit this link (http://www.audidiy.com/b5a4.php) its an audi DIY link and has more than enough info on DIY for you car.

enjoy!