Turbo failure?

I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
for the repair or buying a new car.

My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
with turbo failures, are these:

1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
potential destructive power?
4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
prospect.

Thanks in advance,
Eric

"Eric Grunden" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
> level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
> popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
> the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
> the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
> the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
> whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
> had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
> another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
> fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
> lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
> the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
> shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
> paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
> for the repair or buying a new car.
>
> My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
> with turbo failures, are these:
>
> 1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
> 2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
> 3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
> potential destructive power?
> 4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
> prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
> prospect.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Eric

I am not an expert on Turbos but I think they are telling you porkies, if
the turbo wheel was to shatter the worst it could do would be wreck the
intercooler, the air produced from the turbo goes through 1 or 2 coolers
before it goes back into the engine, this works like a radiator but for air,
the hot air is pushed through the cooler which lowers the temp and pushes it
back into the engine.

1 IC on the 150/163bhp A4 and 2 x IC's on the 190bhp

"Ronny" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Eric Grunden" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
>> level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
>> popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
>> the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
>> the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
>> the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
>> whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
>> had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
>> another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
>> fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
>> lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
>> the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
>> shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
>> paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
>> for the repair or buying a new car.
>>
>> My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
>> with turbo failures, are these:
>>
>> 1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
>> 2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
>> 3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
>> potential destructive power?
>> 4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
>> prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
>> prospect.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Eric
>
> I am not an expert on Turbos but I think they are telling you porkies, if
> the turbo wheel was to shatter the worst it could do would be wreck the
> intercooler, the air produced from the turbo goes through 1 or 2 coolers
> before it goes back into the engine, this works like a radiator but for
> air, the hot air is pushed through the cooler which lowers the temp and
> pushes it back into the engine.
>
> 1 IC on the 150/163bhp A4 and 2 x IC's on the 190bhp
It's not pushed 'back' into the engine.
It's pushed into the engine and there it can cause a lot of damage into the
cylinders.

Ronald

"Eric Grunden" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
> level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
> popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
> the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
> the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
> the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
> whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
> had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
> another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
> fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
> lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
> the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
> shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
> paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
> for the repair or buying a new car.
>
> My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
> with turbo failures, are these:
>
> 1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
> 2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
> 3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
> potential destructive power?
> 4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
> prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
> prospect.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Eric

And on a side note, if you car is chipped, now might be a good time to
splash out on a K04 upgrade turbo, both will cost less then the dealer, if
you went the Garret T25 route you would need injectors and a new Cooler but
all in would prob be less than the dealer is quoting for a new K03.

"R@L" > wrote in message
l...
>
> "Ronny" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Eric Grunden" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
>>> level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
>>> popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
>>> the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
>>> the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
>>> the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
>>> whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
>>> had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
>>> another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
>>> fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
>>> lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
>>> the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
>>> shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
>>> paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
>>> for the repair or buying a new car.
>>>
>>> My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
>>> with turbo failures, are these:
>>>
>>> 1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
>>> 2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
>>> 3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
>>> potential destructive power?
>>> 4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
>>> prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
>>> prospect.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Eric
>>
>> I am not an expert on Turbos but I think they are telling you porkies, if
>> the turbo wheel was to shatter the worst it could do would be wreck the
>> intercooler, the air produced from the turbo goes through 1 or 2 coolers
>> before it goes back into the engine, this works like a radiator but for
>> air, the hot air is pushed through the cooler which lowers the temp and
>> pushes it back into the engine.
>>
>> 1 IC on the 150/163bhp A4 and 2 x IC's on the 190bhp
> It's not pushed 'back' into the engine.
> It's pushed into the engine and there it can cause a lot of damage into
> the cylinders.
>
> Ronald
>
>

Would you like to explain how ?

And it is recycled air taken from the exhaust so it is pushed back into the
engine.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/turbo-plumbing.gif

--
Ronald
www.mulazzo.nl

"Ronny" > wrote in message
news
>
> "R@L" > wrote in message
> l...
>>
>> "Ronny" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Eric Grunden" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
>>>> level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
>>>> popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
>>>> the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
>>>> the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
>>>> the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
>>>> whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
>>>> had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
>>>> another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
>>>> fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
>>>> lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
>>>> the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
>>>> shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
>>>> paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
>>>> for the repair or buying a new car.
>>>>
>>>> My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
>>>> with turbo failures, are these:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
>>>> 2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
>>>> 3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
>>>> potential destructive power?
>>>> 4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
>>>> prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
>>>> prospect.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> Eric
>>>
>>> I am not an expert on Turbos but I think they are telling you porkies,
>>> if the turbo wheel was to shatter the worst it could do would be wreck
>>> the intercooler, the air produced from the turbo goes through 1 or 2
>>> coolers before it goes back into the engine, this works like a radiator
>>> but for air, the hot air is pushed through the cooler which lowers the
>>> temp and pushes it back into the engine.
>>>
>>> 1 IC on the 150/163bhp A4 and 2 x IC's on the 190bhp
>> It's not pushed 'back' into the engine.
>> It's pushed into the engine and there it can cause a lot of damage into
>> the cylinders.
>>
>> Ronald
>>
>>
>
> Would you like to explain how ?
>
> And it is recycled air taken from the exhaust so it is pushed back into
> the engine.
>
> http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/turbo-plumbing.gif
>
Quote form your other post:

Perhaps if your going to criticise peoples advice, look it up first.

Now this one.
Exhaust air is exhausted. Fresh air is pushed into the engine.

Ronald

"R@L" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> --
> Ronald
> www.mulazzo.nl
>
> "Ronny" > wrote in message
> news
>>
>> "R@L" > wrote in message
>> l...
>>>
>>> "Ronny" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "Eric Grunden" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
>>>>> level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
>>>>> popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
>>>>> the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
>>>>> the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
>>>>> the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
>>>>> whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
>>>>> had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
>>>>> another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
>>>>> fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
>>>>> lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
>>>>> the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
>>>>> shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
>>>>> paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
>>>>> for the repair or buying a new car.
>>>>>
>>>>> My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
>>>>> with turbo failures, are these:
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
>>>>> 2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
>>>>> 3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
>>>>> potential destructive power?
>>>>> 4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
>>>>> prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
>>>>> prospect.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>> Eric
>>>>
>>>> I am not an expert on Turbos but I think they are telling you porkies,
>>>> if the turbo wheel was to shatter the worst it could do would be wreck
>>>> the intercooler, the air produced from the turbo goes through 1 or 2
>>>> coolers before it goes back into the engine, this works like a radiator
>>>> but for air, the hot air is pushed through the cooler which lowers the
>>>> temp and pushes it back into the engine.
>>>>
>>>> 1 IC on the 150/163bhp A4 and 2 x IC's on the 190bhp
>>> It's not pushed 'back' into the engine.
>>> It's pushed into the engine and there it can cause a lot of damage into
>>> the cylinders.
>>>
>>> Ronald
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Would you like to explain how ?
>>
>> And it is recycled air taken from the exhaust so it is pushed back into
>> the engine.
>>
>> http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/turbo-plumbing.gif
>>
> Quote form your other post:
>
> Perhaps if your going to criticise peoples advice, look it up first.
>
> Now this one.
> Exhaust air is exhausted. Fresh air is pushed into the engine.
>
> Ronald
>
>
>

A bit padantic though don't you think, and are you still saying the turbo
pushes the air straight into the engine or does it go via the cooler?

If it goes via the cooler, then how will this allow the engine to ingest
parts of the turbo?

Please explain... That's what the op has asked

Eric, there is no way you should have that done at the dealer, first
and foremost.... There are plenty of independent specialist shops
(where do you live?) that can do the job. You can drive the car easily
to get it to another shop, but I would not wait too long. Regardless of
the results of the debate about where the parts would go it the
impeller breaks up, I think it's safe to say that if it DOES break up,
SOMETHING will be damaged which will cost you more money than a
relatively simple turbo replacement..... So, drive it easily to another
shop.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Would you like to explain how ?
>>>
>>> And it is recycled air taken from the exhaust so it is pushed back into
>>> the engine.
>>>
>>> http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/turbo-plumbing.gif
>>>
>> Quote form your other post:
>>
>> Perhaps if your going to criticise peoples advice, look it up first.
>>
>> Now this one.
>> Exhaust air is exhausted. Fresh air is pushed into the engine.
>>
>> Ronald
>>
>>
>>
>
> A bit padantic though don't you think, and are you still saying the turbo
> pushes the air straight into the engine or does it go via the cooler?
>
> If it goes via the cooler, then how will this allow the engine to ingest
> parts of the turbo?
>
> Please explain... That's what the op has asked
>

The Intercooler does not have a lot of resistance, particles fly just
trough.
BTW I was not the one stating that thexhaust fumes are lead into the enigine
here.
So please stay friendly.

As to the otherc thread: nothing against people changing their synthetic oil
after any 10 miles drive.
Nor against changing the cambelt every new moon but, it's not neccesary.
And: a worn cambelt is easy to spot sometimes even easy to hear since parts
tend to slap against the casing.

Ronald

On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 11:43:30 GMT, Eric Grunden
> wrote:

>I have a 98 A4 TQM with about 125k miles on it. It's got the base
>level Wetterauer chip in it. The other day, while driving, the chip
>popped out of its base. The engine died, and after having it towed to
>the dealer, this problem was discovered and fixed. Easy. However,
>the service tech heard a noise he was unfamiliar with. They showed me
>the noise, which was awful--lots of clunking at low rpm and some
>whining/metal grinding at higher revs. It wasn't a huge noise--you
>had to listen to it for a bit. Anyway, the tech looks it over for
>another day and tells me there's metal in the turbo, and it's going to
>fail at any time. At first the service consultant tells me this isn't
>lethal--the car will lose power but will still be driveable. Later,
>the tech says that if the turbo fails it will do so colossally,
>shredding the engine with shrapnel, thus rendering my car a
>paperweight. Both recommend either shelling out $2000 parts and labor
>for the repair or buying a new car.
>
>My questions then, for any of you wise enough or experienced enough
>with turbo failures, are these:
>
>1. Does this price sound right for a dealer replacing the turbo?
>2. Should I get a second opinion (I am going to)?
>3. Is the failure scenario they report likely and or correct in its
>potential destructive power?
>4. Can I drive it like a granny and keep the turbo from engaging to
>prolong its life? Buying a car at Christmas time is not a happy
>prospect.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Eric

I can only comment from experience on query point #4. I recently drove
my 2001 A4 some 440 miles in a day on Interstates from Ohio to NJ
with a failed turbo to have it replaced (under warrantly) at my
dealership. Yes, you can drive that way, but you will absolutely hate
it.