2008 A4 turbo replacement

[jrsmith1687]

I posted a month or so ago about my turbo leaking oil and have been considering replacing it. I personally do not have much experience with working on cars, so my question is, scale of 1-10, how difficult of a job would this be for someone of my skill set following a DIY? I've got an Uncle who has always been car savvy so he'd be helping me, but after reading some material, and specifically a DIY i found here http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/454454-B7-A4-Turbo-Intake-Manifold-Removal-(STaSIS-PDF-file), it seems like there is more to it than simply taking it off and throwing the new one on.

So, without having to possibly go to a mechanic and dropping the money on labor to do this job, to anyone with the experience or that has changed one, how difficult of a job would this be (following a DIY like i linked above)? And related, what would be a recommended brand of turbo to get as the replacement? not looking to upgrade or soup up, i just want a good brand that should last me.

Thanks in advance.

[onedumslack]

I've followed that diy twice. Once with just swapping the OEM k03 with another OEM k03 and then a second time swapping the k03 for a k04. It's a good guide. I'd say if you have all the proper tools and have already read all the steps and think you feel comfortable doing them then you'd probably be fine if you've done other stuff before like installing a test pipe or hfc and done standard maintenance like coolant change. But for the turbo, if you don't want an upgrade then stick with an oem Borg Warner k03. All others have not had a good reputation.

[mcpcartier]

Good thread you referenced....don't remember it at all, but put a comment in there 5 years ago.

Nonetheless....that pdf is good to have....was wondering what was on the bottom side of the turbo for removal. Didn't realize (recall) it just wedged in....relieved. Will be rebuilding mine in a couple of weeks.

[Okedokey]

Remove it once remembering that there is an oil and coolant INPUT and OUTPUT (e.g. 4 lines), next time you'll do it in no time. Just tighten the oil return line properly before reinstalling. Use new hardware (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assembled-by-ecs-parts/turbocharger-installation-kit/8e0253115dkt/)and you'll be fine.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/26554609259_eb39ff9018_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/26554608729_f31c48cfd2_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/38328826911_2b65fbd9e8_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/26554610429_1cea012ac0_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/38328826911_2b65fbd9e8_b.jpg

[mcpcartier]

Remove it once remembering that there is an oil and coolant INPUT and OUTPUT (e.g. 4 lines), next time you'll do it in no time. Just tighten the oil return line properly before reinstalling. Use new hardware (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assembled-by-ecs-parts/turbocharger-installation-kit/8e0253115dkt/)and you'll be fine.



Thanks for the link and the pics....helps me prepare. I didn't even think about replacing any of the hardware.....but after 200k+ miles I should put in some fresh gaskets etc...

[ahotboy15]

would just replacing the gaskets be sufficient, or does all new hardware make much of a difference? k03 to k03 swap

[EvolutionArmory]

Well, the manifold nuts are probably going to be trashed or they will take the manifold studs out with them. It’s never a bad idea to buy studs and nuts too.

[ahotboy15]

do i need a new banjo bolt too or is that not for k03 turbos?

[EvolutionArmory]

I reused my old lines and banjos. Just used new crush washers

[ahotboy15]

@evolution so pretty much the whole kit, studs nuts and gaskets lol hahah???

[EvolutionArmory]

Yes. You are in there already. Replace as much as you can. New studs, nuts, gaskets and washers.

[ahotboy15]

ty evo

[ahotboy15]

Mechanic wants $550 to do the swap and that comes with new oil & filter. does oil change need to be performed when doing a Turbo Swap?

[EvolutionArmory]

No. The only oil related thing when installing a turbo is priming it so there is oil in it before running the car.

[Sylvania A4]

Stop feeding the troll...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171116/1f980addbfa1f9e9e3269e22ff6166ef.jpg


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[ahotboy15]

what does priming it consist of?


No. The only oil related thing when installing a turbo is priming it so there is oil in it before running the car.

[KingWulfgar]

Mechanic wants $550 to do the swap and that comes with new oil & filter. does oil change need to be performed when doing a Turbo Swap?

Sounds like a very fair price to me. At that price, you're providing the turbo, I assume?

[ahotboy15]

yes he says i dont need to get new hardware, he will provide any that i might need but im thinking of getting new hardware just to replace it anyway


Sounds like a very fair price to me. At that price, you're providing the turbo, I assume?

[Okedokey]

Just get a new hardware kit and be done with it mate. Do it once, do it right.

[ahotboy15]

do i need any new clamps when doing the swap? stasis says something about cutting a clamp, so can someone give me the size i need so i can add to my shopping cart. also anyone got a link on ecs for a oil filter to purchase? thanks


Just get a new hardware kit and be done with it mate. Do it once, do it right.

[ahotboy15]

BUMP, what size clamps will i need?

[roley954]

I've followed that diy twice. Once with just swapping the OEM k03 with another OEM k03 and then a second time swapping the k03 for a k04. It's a good guide. I'd say if you have all the proper tools and have already read all the steps and think you feel comfortable doing them then you'd probably be fine if you've done other stuff before like installing a test pipe or hfc and done standard maintenance like coolant change. But for the turbo, if you don't want an upgrade then stick with an oem Borg Warner k03. All others have not had a good reputation.

i was wondering the same what a upgrade from our stock turbo and process like upgraded injectors ? ? cause new to this traded my ap1 s2000 for 08 a4 6spd sline ?

[EvolutionArmory]

i was wondering the same what a upgrade from our stock turbo and process like upgraded injectors ? ? cause new to this traded my ap1 s2000 for 08 a4 6spd sline ?

Having a tough time following what you are saying. Wanna try that again?

[ahotboy15]

can someone tell me if any clamps need to be replaced when swapping over a stock turbo! this is the turbo replacement thread

[A4_PimP]

Since we're talking about it in this thread. What is needed to be ugpraded when doing a K04 upgrade? plugs probably anything else?

[james12lucy]

Since we're talking about it in this thread. What is needed to be ugpraded when doing a K04 upgrade? plugs probably anything else?

HPFP, injectors, cat, exhaust, plugs, intercooler, tune. And with that, likely rods, because the OEM rods are made of Spaghetti.


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[A4_PimP]

HPFP, injectors, cat, exhaust, plugs, intercooler, tune. And with that, likely rods, because the OEM rods are made of Spaghetti.


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OK so not something I’ll be doing next year lol. Thanks for all the info


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[james12lucy]

No worries. I mean, I can get you all of the stuff. It’ll run without rods upgraded, you just need a conservative tune...


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[Ashtonts]

You could also get away with running it on a stock exhaust if you have a test pipe/cat. And you could run it with the stock intercooler also. It just wouldn’t be optimal at all. But if you were using a conservative tune anyway it would be doable.

[EvolutionArmory]

The only “required” mods are a HPFP, injectors and tune. Exhaust and FMIC are highly recommended though.