Whats wrong with this K04

**seanko04** · 07-06-2008 10:31 AM

While doing the usual Sunday cruise on ebay I came across this K04-15
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...em180261865145
Now I am very interested in figuring out if this is real.

**Das General** · 07-06-2008 10:33 AM

Did you read it?

It is used and has a broken stud inside the housing...

**seanko04** · 07-06-2008 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by deb38

Did you read it?

It is used and has a broken stud inside the housing...

Its the exhaust mounting stud you can see it in the picture.

**MikeWasHere05** · 07-06-2008 10:40 AM

Doesn't look like that bad of a deal though. Anybody with basic mechanical knowledge can drill/tap and if you can't, a good shop will do it for you in at most an hour of labor.

It has high mileage, but if it was properly taken care of then it should be fine. Obviously a higher output K04 file (PC-16, Hammer, etc.) will shorten the lifespan but a standard file could probably see a long life out of this turbo, assuming it was properly taken care of.

**seanko04** · 07-06-2008 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by MikeWasHere05

Doesn't look like that bad of a deal though. Anybody with basic mechanical knowledge can drill/tap and if you can't, a good shop will do it for you in at most an hour of labor.

It has high mileage, but if it was properly taken care of then it should be fine. Obviously a higher output K04 file (PC-16, Hammer, etc.) will shorten the lifespan but a standard file could probably see a long life out of this turbo, assuming it was properly taken care of.

Ok so if bought can it be sent to like pops shop to get the turbo and internals rebalanced so it can hold a more aggressive file.

**MikeWasHere05** · 07-06-2008 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by seanko04

Ok so if bought can it be sent to like pops shop to get the turbo and internals rebalanced so it can hold a more aggressive file.

Yeah, that would be fine. They would actually probably just replace all the internals. It might be fine as is though, I'd ask the seller if theres any shaft play to start off.

**seanko04** · 07-06-2008 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by MikeWasHere05

Yeah, that would be fine. They would actually probably just replace all the internals. It might be fine as is though, I'd ask the seller if theres any shaft play to start off.

Well yeah I asked the seller if it had any shaft play or if they ran any files with it also.

**Skydive@AI** · 07-06-2008 11:20 AM

If it was pulled from a B5 A4, it's not the stock turbo, which suggests that it was used by someone who is an enthusiast, and likely performance oriented. As such, it was probably used with aggressive programming. Given those facts, I'd say that 60,000 miles is probably a good time to have it rebuilt, but $100.00 is a fine price for a rebuildable core nonetheless.

My feeling is that you could extract the broken stud and install it as is if the CHRA is still in good shape, but you have an opportunity to rebuild it as new before you install it. Do it now, or install it twice.

-Michael.

**seanko04** · 07-06-2008 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Skydive@AI

If it was pulled from a B5 A4, it's not the stock turbo, which suggests that it was used by someone who is an enthusiast, and likely performance oriented. As such, it was probably used with aggressive programming. Given those facts, I'd say that 60,000 miles is probably a good time to have it rebuilt, but $100.00 is a fine price for a rebuildable core nonetheless.

My feeling is that you could extract the broken stud and install it as is if the CHRA is still in good shape, but you have an opportunity to rebuild it as new before you install it. Do it now, or install it twice.

-Michael.

You have a great point. Plus I like that saying I might have to use it. But if I do get it, my plans are to have it rebuilt just to save me the headaches down the road.