Number 2 turbo (left side)! toast

[gotaflat]

ok, anyone had to replace/rebuild this one?

just had the news... its stuffed apparently. been trying to trace the restricted performance issue for a few months that occasionally popped up - then cleared once turned off for a while. Any way local independent (and as recommended by the group and been looking after for a bit now) spent the day tracking errors etc, and the up shot ... Left turbo toast. 260,000 kms (should have traded in [bigsad]) but been a good run really. Have been informed the turbos run bushes and not bearing?..is that for real?

appreciate any insight ... sympathy if fine as well...[happycry]

PS add this to EPB replacement... my a$$ is rather sore.. abet lighter! [bawl]

[DiscoJeffster]

A turbo bearing is essentially a bush, yes. It’s metal and eventually they do wear. The restricted performance error however will have nothing to do with the bearing/bush unless the wear is so great that the impellers are impacting the casing (unlikely as you can hear that a mile away). I’d suggest it’s more likely related to the variable vane system on that turbo that’s the issue, but hey, I’m lounge chair diagnosing so what would I possibly know to be honest.

[gotaflat]

A turbo bearing is essentially a bush, yes. It’s metal and eventually they do wear. The restricted performance error however will have nothing to do with the bearing/bush unless the wear is so great that the impellers are impacting the casing (unlikely as you can hear that a mile away). I’d suggest it’s more likely related to the variable vane system on that turbo that’s the issue, but hey, I’m lounge chair diagnosing so what would I possibly know to be honest.

yea - I can hear the turbo chopping - mainly sounds like a dump/bypass not opening as air pushed back against spinning turbo and it 'chops'/flutters badly ... i do not know enough - i thought inlet manifold issue - apparently not. as for turbo with bush - understand but perplexed as to it use over a bb - replaced plenty on tractors and even the old Subi WRX when punching laps and nudging fenders .. all BB turbos not bushed

it seems strange - but then... the gurus know....i hope - pricy none the less. apprenly they rebuild - bored out with BB in stead of bush, new impeller (better etc) as new ones have same inherent issues... :unsure:

[loanrangie]

Lots of turbos run oil film bearings and they eventually wear usually causing excessive smoke and oil consumption leading to a big bang.

[BobD]

There can't be too many inherent issues if it lasted 260,000. My turbo was toast at 100,000 on two different VW Transporters, T4 and T5. The T4 went at 110,000 and the T5 at 95,000 with the auto trans following at 105,000 on the T5.

I had both my turbos replaced at about 230,000 on the D4. The inlet vanes were damaged on both for some reason not known to me. I also had both manifolds replaced due to the restricted performance issue at an earlier date.

[gotaflat]

I guess 260,000 is good going??? hard to know - maybe I expected more...

turbos going at 100,000kms would be an issue in my view for sure bobD - and I would be ****ed -

running trucks/tractors etc hard I would not expect a turbo to go, but its a risk. I was really just looking at weather it was an issue known or not - or just the car now getting to end of mechanical life? i.e. other turbo? (drain fitted by dealer in first few months). or the motor outright?

Anyway 10k out the door in last month with new struts etc. make me feel like there is more to come..is there anything else to do when all the peripherals off the car?

it may be time to trade.. but missed that window I guess 100,000kms ago .

[BobD]

Yes, mine was perfect up to about 190,000 when expensive stuff really started to go wrong. I still haven't had a transmission problem due to many oil changes but who knows when that will strike.

The car owes me too much to get rid of it so I just keep it as my tough bush basher and use the RRV for touring now. My DS is my town car so the D4 is semi retired!

[Graeme]

running trucks/tractors etc hard I would not expect a turbo to go, but its a risk.The turbos in both my tractors are supposed to have their bearings checked every 1,000 hours and overhauled or replaced if out of spec.

[gotaflat]

The turbos in both my tractors are supposed to have their bearings checked every 1,000 hours and overhauled or replaced if out of spec.

good think about Johnies is you can get to them... Discos!

Ow by the way - other turbo gone as well.... [bigsad]

[DiscoJeffster]

Jesus. Mines the same km and the last thing I need is that to happen to me, as I’m sure you’re thinking the same! Have you had a price estimate for their replacement?

[Graeme]

Ow by the way - other turbo gone as well.... [bigsad]I suspect that the workshop would have advised to replace both so perhaps some consolation in knowing that an apparently good turbo is not to be needlessly replaced. It doesn't help the hip pocket though.

[PerthDisco]

Depending on average speed 260,000km could be in the 7,000 engine hour range. I’m sure an industrial commercial engine would call for an inspection/ rebuild at 5,000 hours.

Turbos would be there in the list with suspension updates for scheduled reliability maintenance.

Just a bugger they are so hard to access.

Glad I’ve only got one.

[gotaflat]

Jesus. Mines the same km and the last thing I need is that to happen to me, as I’m sure you’re thinking the same! Have you had a price estimate for their replacement?

well first one was $3800... so x2 I guess. Its a rebuilt one with bearings new impella etc and much more efficient etc. All being done at Rovertech (turbo rebuild I am not 100% who)


LR wanted 6k for one...just for reference -

[gotaflat]

ok got the Disco back after nearly 2 weeks.

list of replacements and actions undertaken:
- 2 rebuilt turbos (specifications not known however roller bearings used (not bushed).. = longer life - better spool up etc. new more efficient impellers put in as well...
- one of the new turbos put in whistled like Kenworth on full noise - so out it came - replaced (no cost - re builder sorted), but apparently mentioned not balanced properly - anyway another one in and all good
- Exhaust manifold was leaking right on the firewall - so new (manifold - left from memory) will confirm
- main viscous fan not spinning - buggered - causing a few air con issues if not heat issues - replaced
- EPB replaced (Buggered up 2 weeks ago)
- one rear park sensor replaced (bit temperamental... need to look at this weekend...
- reverse camera bit on//off (temperamental) - next weeks problem
- window flutter to be fixed (expect this is the side window surrounds (clip broken maybe ??) or the window seal rubber is fluttering in the wind due to age - its only at 90kms + (like a bit of tape or similar at high speed)

On way home - low water level alarm.... well bugger me - water level fine - sensor in bottle now looking for a love too... with a hammer (but needs replacing.

so anyway..been a expensive week - however better than i built myself up for.

the Disco *which I do not drive much (wife's ) now go like a new one - very much notice the power and very smooth run up on full noise and speed. Expect the turbos failing and exhaust leak have there for a while. it is just very nice to have the power back and feels right again. Only thing is I would like it to go with out a fault warning ! (Water level intermittent)

Got to thank Rovertech again. I did expect worse on the bill and out come..

Wife wont change the car for anything - so good news i guess [bighmmm] - just need a an upholster to fix a few leather issues and its all good again... (8 years and 4 kids through the car has taken it toll....