Welp, looks like I'm turbo shopping...

[KingWulfgar]

Been dealing with an intermittent P0299 since going APR stage 1. I've graphed it with VAGCOM and I'm definitely not reaching requested boost. I can flash back to stock and it doesn't have enough variance in the numbers to trip the MIL, but under the tune it does. Although, somewhat intermittently.

I've recently replaced the VC gasket and put my BSH PCV revamp back on. Just a couple weeks ago I replaced my DV with the GFB DV+ so I'm nearly certain that's not leaking, but that didn't fix my boost leak. I was hoping it was just a hose somewhere and I needed an oil change anyway, so I let them look at the turbo system while it was there and they couldn't find any smaller leaks anywhere. He said it's probably the turbo itself. I may get a second opinion, but he's a VW certified master tech, trusted recommendation from a friend, and I suspected as much already anyway, so I'm not keen to pay yet another diagnostic charge.

I'm definitely going to drive it this way for a while (I need at least 2 tires first and other than being a few pounds short of full boost, it's not causing any issues), but in the end, I guess I'm looking at a turbo. He gave me a few options (one of which is a little complicated by the APR tune):

• Replacement K03
• Replace it with a K04 for a few hundred bucks more (probably the best time to do that)
• Frankenturbo and a more custom tune. The problems here is that I'd have to go back to APR to get them to flash it back to stock first and I'd need some more supporting hardware.

Of course, there's always the "ditch the car" option, but that would be a last resort since we're going to need to replace our minivan with a wheelchair van soonish. I'd like to keep this car for another 5 yrs/50k miles if possible, but it's costing me a fortune lately. I can do smaller stuff myself, but changing out the turbo is definitely beyond my comfort level. I also have some of the symptoms of torque converter failure, but again, it's not really causing any driveability problems (it's just slightly annoying in cold weather).

I really like the K04 idea, but in the end that's going to cost a small fortune because to really make good use of it, I need an upgraded HPFP, injectors, HFC (no test pipes, we have yearly emissions testing here), and a re-tune. Guess I'm just looking for some of your thoughts on it.

tl;dr - Need a turbo. Which one?

[Operator]

You can get a used K04, for a pretty good deal either here or vwvortex/fourtitude. And you can run it on your current tune until, you can save up for the HPFP, injectors, exhaust, etc.... It won't perform like your current K03 until you get the supporting hardware, but if you plan to keep the car, just build towards acquiring the parts slowly, and wait for really good deals. Your 3rd option, I wouldn't put much thought on just due to cost.

[Low and Behold]

In the interest of saving money in your situation, I personally would opt for a replacement k03. "Ditching the car" should not be an option if you only need a turbo. You can replace it yourself in a day, and used k03s are relatively easy to find.

k04 would be moar power tho...

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

I'll just leave this here...

If the turbocharger on your B7 has seen better days it may be time for a replacement that will replenish performance by correcting boost related issues. Turbos can and will go bad due to age or improper care. It's always best to let your turbo cool down after a spirited drive by letting the vehicle idle for a few minutes after driving, along with using proper oil. Brand new OEM BorgWarner unit... includes the turbo, exhaust manifold, latest 710D diverter valve, and N75 valve with all the hoses.

TURBOCHARGER (A4 B7 2.0T) $999.95 SHIPPED

[p0isin]

My only advice is stay far away from frankenturbo

[mtroxel]

King I'm in your shoes...exactly. After APR stage 1 I'm getting p0299 pretty often. I've swapped DV, checked for boost leaks. But my stock turbo has 119,000 miles on it now so I have to assume the wastegate might be a big sloppy, or even the shaft for that matter. I'm going to do it this winter.

[gonemtbiking]

I will be selling my K03 soon after swapping in Adams K0R.

That being said, have you tried adjusting the wastegate yet?

[mtroxel]

I will be selling my K03 soon after swapping in Adams K0R.

That being said, have you tried adjusting the wastegate yet?

I reached in and wiggled the rod - no slop there. But I've seen them where the gate cracks or otherwise leaks.

[Luis_Heineken]

Try the High Pressure Fuel Sensor
Located on the fuel rail (06J906051C, confirm fitment)
and
Low Pressure Fuel Sensor
Located on the high pressure fuel pump (06E906051K, confirm fitment)

That same thing happenned to me, plus i replaced the fuel filter too (4F0201511E)

[KingWulfgar]

I'm leaning toward the K04 option. I'm hesitant to try the wastegate adjustment because it seems like it doesn't last and sounded pretty technical. If something can be messed up, I will find a way to mess it up. It's not outside the bounds of possibility that I might try it someday, but I don't really hold out much hope that it would work for me. I also don't think I want to gamble on a used K03.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

@Luis_Heineken, I don't doubt your anecdotal evidence, but I just don't see how the fuel pressure sensors could cause that code. Plus, my low pressure sensor was replaced a year or two ago. Fuel filter and LPFP are fairly new as well.

[danbfree]

I'm leaning toward the K04 option. I'm hesitant to try the wastegate adjustment because it seems like it doesn't last and sounded pretty technical. If something can be messed up, I will find a way to mess it up. It's not outside the bounds of possibility that I might try it someday, but I don't really hold out much hope that it would work for me. I also don't think I want to gamble on a used K03.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

@Luis_Heineken, I don't doubt your anecdotal evidence, but I just don't see how the fuel pressure sensors could cause that code. Plus, my low pressure sensor was replaced a year or two ago. Fuel filter and LPFP are fairly new as well.

For the right price and source, it's not much of a gamble on a used k03... There is one for sale in the classifieds for $350 with 75k on it... Otherwise, just to give Europaparts credit, $1000 for brand new with all goodies attached isn't bad.

[Jake@JHM]

If you are interested in a k04.. shoot us an email at [email protected].

We have some cool stuff in the works

[KingWulfgar]

For the right price and source, it's not much of a gamble on a used k03... There is one for sale in the classifieds for $350 with 75k on it... Otherwise, just to give Europarts credit, $1000 for brand new with all goodies attached isn't bad.

Considering I have to pay for the labor, I'd rather get a brand new one with everything for $1000 and only have to pay to have it done once.

[yeoj112689]

I would go K04... mainly because thats the next mod on my list. You'll enjoy the car more when you have more power and if you're getting a new mini van it seems like you need a fun car because mini vans are the devil.

[yeoj112689]

Considering I have to pay for the labor, I'd rather get a brand new one with everything for $1000 and only have to pay to have it done once.

Do it yourself! Its really not too bad. Can get it done in a few hours if you take your time and just make sure everything is torqued to spec. If you have the tools or know someone that does it will save you the money to upgrade to a K04 at the K03 price of install ;)

[danbfree]

Considering I have to pay for the labor, I'd rather get a brand new one with everything for $1000 and only have to pay to have it done once.

I'm going to just say this, as unpopular as it may be, but there are other brand new non-OEM options for less.. a LOT less... sure, they may be cheap chinese turbos, but maybe a bare K03 for cheap might be worth trying just to see if it resolves your problem? Them come up with a more long-term solution from there...

Edit: Also, OEM used with 62k and full year warranty for $465 shipped on the big auction site as a buy now... not a bad option if you are insisting on OEM... depends how much money you want to spend.

[Low and Behold]

Do it yourself! Its really not too bad. Can get it done in a few hours if you take your time and just make sure everything is torqued to spec. If you have the tools or know someone that does it will save you the money to upgrade to a K04 at the K03 price of install ;)

This. I know not everyone on here is a wrencher, but I imagine labor being like $800, maybe more? I don't know. I just assume shops charge like 6-7 hours worth of labor even if it takes them 3-4. Took me the better part of a day and 6 beers to do mine, but if i did it again it would probably take half that.... with 6 beers.

If you decide to do it, take your time. Here are instructions to remove (reinstall in reverse) http://www.stasisengineering.com/sit...ongitudial.pdf

Thats all I've got.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Saving a few bucks on turbos and wedding photographers usually end up being very bad ideas...

I'm going to just say this, as unpopular as it may be, but there are other brand new non-OEM options for less.. a LOT less... sure, they may be cheap chinese turbos, but maybe a bare K03 for cheap might be worth trying just to see if it resolves your problem? Them come up with a more long-term solution from there...

Edit: Also, OEM used with 62k and full year warranty for $465 shipped on the big auction site as a buy now... not a bad option if you are insisting on OEM... depends how much money you want to spend.

[danbfree]

Saving a few bucks on turbos and wedding photographers usually end up being very bad ideas...

Fair enough! :)

Is it possible to just replace the bare turbo without buying the complete one with all the valves and manifold attached? If so, how much are those?

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[vce1232000]

a KO4. Imo the is ing in urban area's.
APR will upgrade your current APR Stage 1 tune into a KO4 tune for about $100.00. My shop dont charge labor to download the tune.
The $$$$ for a new KO4 is from CTS I believe $2200.00. You can upgrade into a HFC I believe if you dont want to dirty
A IE HPFP grade for $350.00
You be ing like a man on the cheap

[Low and Behold]

Thats the most emojis I've ever seen you throw into one post

[vce1232000]

Thats the most emojis I've ever seen you throw into one post

LOL.... I think I did more before

[mtroxel]

Fair enough! :)

Is it possible to just replace the bare turbo without buying the complete one with all the valves and manifold attached? If so, how much are those?

You can just buy the cartridge...it's the guts....the shaft and the impellers. But, it's not uncommon to have a wastegate problem. They crack and/or don't seal. If that's the case, you are out a day of time swapping it out, and you still have to buy a new turbo.

Or, wastegate goes bad a month after you do a new cartridge.

[Audi777tom]

Just went through the same thing. I wound up purchasing a used turbo and getting it rebuilt by g-pop shop. I actually did a bit of an upgrade with a modified k04 billed compressor wheel. But if you don't do this you can get it done for $650. This thing looks brand new coming back from the shop. You would still likely need a modified tune in the long run.
A second option, ecs tuning has a few k03 turbos (turbo only) for less than $900.
Depending on the cost of the tune, these are more or less the same price.

[vce1232000]

Ive had a few turbo's re- from a place called http://timsturbos.com/ . They do some work with warranty. Typical price was about $375.00 with modified journal oil fed bushing. He will also do modification. Turn around times is usually 48hrs or less.

[jamerican1]

Ive had a few turbo's re- from a place called http://timsturbos.com/ . They do some work with warranty. Typical price was about $375.00 with modified journal oil fed bushing. He will also do modification. Turn around times is usually 48hrs or less.

He's great. Rebuilt my K04 from my 1.8t

[KingWulfgar]

Yeah, I know they can be rebuilt, but pulling the turbo and then having the car sit for a few days isn't really an option for me. It's my DD, so I'd need a rental which would probably offset any savings. Plus, I had enough trouble just swapping the DV out so I'm pretty sure I'm not up for ing the turbo myself. He said book labor is 6 hours which would be around $600 if I brought parts, a little less (+warranty) if he sourced them. I'm not keen on doing this twice, so I'm leaning toward new K04 + HFC at the same time, but will need to save up some money first. Probably will need to wait until Jan/Feb to get it done. Then, I can add the upgraded HPFP and K04 tune when I can afford more money on it. It's always something with this car, but it's still a lot cheaper than a new one.

[vce1232000]

Look into the regional forums. There usually a few guys to that will help out for beer $$$$ to things to help out another member.

[StatusQuo]

I say get a frankenturbo F23 and run the stock injectors tune with upgraded HPFP and downpipe. This is the cheapest route I think. Especially if you have eurodyne already. And you will make some good power

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[vce1232000]

I say get a frankenturbo F23

Thats a word among the b7 A4 community. Their reputation is like around here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i1XyQbbBhk

There are other threads to pre-mature product failures from other members. Just a search will disclose them

[StatusQuo]

Thats a word among the b7 A4 community. Their reputation is like around here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i1XyQbbBhk

There are other threads to pre-mature product failures from other members. Just a search will disclose them

Yeah I've seen that video. I was under the impression that the flow chart was more of an advertising goof. More of an example for the laymen's.

I could be wrong. But isn't the FT stuff warrantied and they follow though??

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[vce1232000]

I could be wrong. But isn't the FT stuff warrantied and they follow though??

There were many members that had purchased the FT23L that had suffered pre-mature failures from chinese made units. Doug @ FT was getting them from China and didnt disclose this fact from what I remember. You can now get the same ones of e bay from china made directly http://www.ebay.com/itm/K04-F23l-Tur...BWyb2d&vxp=mtr
When few knowledgeable members started questioning him about the performance specs about it Doug was dancing around the accuracy of the performance maps. Then the units started to fail and the replacements also failed pre-maturely. Imo its a product I rather stay away from. No matter how warranty policy is. I rather it once and not keep re-it.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...HELLO-GTX2867r

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...compressor-map

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...my-B8-A4/page2

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...enturbo/page35

These are just a few threads from a quick search. You can find more to read on the search function to

[StatusQuo]

There were many members that had purchased the FT23L that had suffered pre-mature failures from chinese made units. Doug @ FT was getting them from China and didnt disclose this fact from what I remember. You can now get the same ones of e bay from china made directly http://www.ebay.com/itm/K04-F23l-Tur...BWyb2d&vxp=mtr
When few knowledgeable members started questioning him about the performance specs about it Doug was dancing around the accuracy of the performance maps. Then the units started to fail and the replacements also failed pre-maturely. Imo its a product I rather stay away from. No matter how warranty policy is. I rather it once and not keep re-it.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...HELLO-GTX2867r

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...compressor-map

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...my-B8-A4/page2

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...enturbo/page35

These are just a few threads from a quick search. You can find more to read on the search function to

Acknowledged. Yeah I was thinking about getting it but you got me swayed. I have read alot of bad stories and lots of good stories. I've had a friend with a failed Garret turbo as well (was used)


I chalked up the complaints to the fact that humans are much more vocal to complaining than praising.


I'm going to give you DM. Got a question on a diy bt kit.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk