need help troubleshooting turbo failure

**topgearstig** · 10-29-2008 08:49 PM

hey, I'm pretty new to AZ and turbo cars and I just bought a 2000 s4 with blown passenger side turbo. I finnished replacing it with a used k03 and put about 600 miles on it, and I think it failed again. The car is apr chipped, and yes I was running 103 oct setting periodicaly. After engine reinstall I checked and cleared codes. The codes I had were for torque converter, maf, and primary 02's. Once cleared they didn't come back and the car really seemed to be running good besides 16 mpg mostly city driving. Drove the car to work last Sunday and when I got off the hyway I saw smoke comming from exhaust but only while not under acceleration. Had it towed home checked oil and it was a quart and a half low. pressure tested it and find no leaks. Now engine won't rev past 4000 rpm and does not produce boost ( 0-1 psi) pulled ic pipping off and found a considerable amount of oil in passenger side, only a small amount in drivers side. Now I don't know what to do next! Anyone have suggestions? Thanks in advance. Im a Noob as stated above. Lol

**b5s4tt** · 10-29-2008 09:21 PM

sorry to say these are not the cars you can put used turbos on, especially one. it may work but your chancing it. if you pulled the motor yourself your out time. if you payed for the job, that sucks. you should always have turbos rebuilt prior to installing on s4 or things of this nature can happen. if it was a top-mounted turbo setup it would take no time at all to fix. i never had a blown set (mine are on the way out) but i would think it would still be able to rev out. did you run the 103 with race gas ? if not thats not good

**gointoscott** · 10-29-2008 09:23 PM

Sorry to hear about your turbo's

Who replaced the turbo? Did you do it yourself? It does have the symptoms of a blown turbo.

Also you only replaced one turbo? I think everyone who works on audi's will tell you to replace both, not just one even if only one is bad. Plus why did you go used? Were you trying to save money I'm assuming. How much was it examined before installing the turbo? How many miles on the car?

Ok enough with the questions, now where do you go from here.

Well first things first, you will probably have to replace the turbo's again. This time do it right the first time er I mean second time. Replace both turbo's and go with new or rebuilt turbo's, its way too much work pulling the engine to have to keep replacing turbo's.

Most would suggest upgrading to the bigger K04 turbo's which (arguably and could be up for debate) are more reliable. They will produce more power and a bigger smile on your face when you step on it at least.

I would also get the codes fixed, if it has bad 02's I'd get them replaced, if Maf is bad replace it and also make sure you have any boost leaks fixed, check TBB hose, DV's and since you have the 00, make sure F-hose is good or replaced.

Honestly to do it right, it will cost money, but its better to spend a little now instead of having to pay to have it done all over again, or if your doing it yourself, the time of doing it again. Hope this helps some.

**topgearstig** · 10-29-2008 10:03 PM

thanks, yeah I did run race fuel. And I did do the job myself. I was trying to save$
$ by using a used turbo. The turbo was inspected visually by a shop locally before install, it was of an a6 with under 60,000 miles supposedly. I did just buy another used set from another audizener, there supposed tohave 35,000 miles. Car has upgraded apr bi pipe so no tbb problems. 710n's and did the suction test on them and they seem to be good. Also checked f hoses no leaks there either. What about a clogged suction jet pump? I'm going to check that when I get home. So back to used vs. Rebuilt vs. New or k04. I'm think g about just putting the used ones that I have on and waiting untill dec. To upgrade , if they'll last that long. ?

**gointoscott** · 10-29-2008 10:08 PM

props for doing them yourself. Did you pull the engine or install the turbo with engine still in the car.

IDK its up to you weather you put used ones in, but I know I wouldnt think twice about it, I'd stick with new or rebuilt ones. I guess since you did it once, the second time will probably go faster so you have that going for you at least.

**HighDesertAudi** · 10-29-2008 10:11 PM

Did you check to see if the oil lines were clear????

Probably not. Annnnndddd that is why your new used turbo is also blown.

**topgearstig** · 10-29-2008 10:37 PM

yes I did check for blockage, and there was none that I could tell. I did replace them with ecs oil feed lines though. I did do some research. Haha

**topgearstig** · 10-29-2008 10:46 PM

^^ i did it with the motor out. I thought it would be easier to pull motor without trans and i was wrong, it took forever to get engine to trans bolts out! Its odd to me that the turbos arent screeming i.e. Siren noise. Shouldent they be if they are blown? what about the torque converter btw. I guess it's not that uncommon to have a failed TQ?so that needs to be replaced also. Is there any way to check it when I have the motor out?

**NogaroWonda00** · 10-30-2008 11:50 AM

you blew it again. i had ran into the same problem, i didnt have enough money when my first k03 went bad and got a used set they blew up 100 miles, the smoke out the back is cause your burning oil- why you were one and a half quarts short.

very good chance your o2 sensors are shot along with your cats- because that oil your spewing out has to go through both the sensors and the cats. You cant go above 4k because you dont have any boost, was it making a clicking sound when at idle? the oil in the intercoolers is coming from the turbos as well.

now that youve had the beginning to the "shit storm" you should do a few other things while replacing everything
going to def need a turbo kit, are you thinking of k04s? and you should get some new intercoolers. prolly should do the timing belt change and a clutch since your going to have to pull the motor! Possibly needing the cats and o2 sensors replaced.

dont be a cheap ass with this car i know first hand, get new parts. I went with the k04s, they have 6,000 miles on them now, after my tbb issue and DV issue that werent expensive fixes i havent had a problem with anything. I wont lie either I drive the shit out of my car!

**topgearstig** · 10-30-2008 02:28 PM

thanks everyone, I'm going to start looking into a stage three setup. I'll start with a k04 setup and see what I need to buy. I don't have slot of $ to spend right now, but im finnishing a side job in dec. So maybe I'll have it worked out by then.