1.8t turbo issues

[shepa401]

Hey everyone, I know the following post is going to be about a 2002 Jetta, but i have come to find that there is more useful information on this forum than others.


Ok I am about stumped. My brother bought a 2002 Jetta a couple years ago. Got it cheap because turbo was bad in it. Fixed the turbo and a few thousand miles later he spun a rod bearing. Rebuilt the motor for him and then about 5k miles later it smoked another turbo. Replaced it with another used one from a friend and it happened again another 5-7k miles.

Then last summer we had one of the spares sent in and rebuilt thinking we might have better luck. Replaced the turbo and also the oil feed line. Received a call today saying it was starting to smoke some and oil was started to come out the tail pipe..

When I rebuilt the motor I got a spare short block so I could have the motor all done then just swap it in. I used all quality parts. All bought from PAG Parts. It isn't a performance car by any means. All stock other than I pulled the SAI out when I put everything back in.

One thing to add: I didn't replace the oil cooler/oil filter housing when the motor was rebuilt. I did however clean it very well before I re installed it.

Condensed version:

Car keeps blowing turbos. (Used low or high miles or completely rebuilt)

So does anybody have any ideas of what could be causing this?

Thanks for any input.

[taubry10]

How much boost is he running on these turbos?

[shepa401]

It is bone stock for boost. I think it runs 9-11 psi or something like that. Somebody over on vortex said the problem could be because his auxiliary water pump was bad and didn't realize it. I didn't know it had an electronic auxiliary water pump. I think they are only on automatic cars and maybe the TT225's.

From what i found out on it, it circulates coolant through the turbo after the car is shut off. Has been the best lead i have come across yet.