Soot buildup found on turbo

[Bigandbald]

After buying a mapped Leon cupra R which I have fallen in love with, I noticed a noise coming from the turbo, I suspected a failed downpipe or flexi joint but the vag specialist said today that he noticed a soot buildup close to the oil feed pip on the turbo and suspected a crack in the exhaust housing.

Is this serious?

Do I replace it, or recon it, or leave it alone?

It still pulls like a steam train just a bit noisy on full boost.

 

[towcester vag]

usually the gasket between manifold and turbo

 

[225tt]

After buying a mapped Leon cupra R which I have fallen in love with, I noticed a noise coming from the turbo, I suspected a failed downpipe or flexi joint but the vag specialist said today that he noticed a soot buildup close to the oil feed pip on the turbo and suspected a crack in the exhaust housing.

Is this serious?

Do I replace it, or recon it, or leave it alone?

It still pulls like a steam train just a bit noisy on full boost.

I havent noticed any particulr extra noise on mine but i do have a couple of issues with boost sometimes and my car failed to take a remap as it couldnt make the extra boost (could be a number of reasons of which im researching now)

However i have also noticed when doing an inspection that by my oil feed pipe at the top by the actuator i have quite a build up of soot too. It mainly seems to blow onto part of the actuator and that area next to the oil feed line (turbo cold side of it).

Is this also likely to be the gasket then? I do get a strange noise at ~2500-3000 revs when on part throttle and approx 0psi boost, sound almost like blowing over the top of a bottle or something.

Thanks

 

[Bigandbald]

Strange???

Why wouldn't your car take the remap?

If it couldn't hold the boost was that the actuator?

 

[Bigandbald]

usually the gasket between manifold and turbo

To illiminate the issues I'm buying a 3" relentless downpipe and sportscast, once I have these fitted with new gaskets then if it is still doing it I will get the turbo refurbished.

 

[225tt]

Why wouldn't your car take the remap?

If it couldn't hold the boost was that the actuator?

I think it is yes. It was suggested it could be a tired turbo but car is on 80k and doesn't whine noticeably or any smoke etc. I changed the actuator and car seems a lot better in initial boost up now so may well make the extra boost now. I mainly concerned with making sure it's set up correct and hoping this was the problem!

 

[Bigandbald]

Sounds like it was the actuator then, when you changed it did you see the soot build up?

 

[225tt]

Sounds like it was the actuator then, when you changed it did you see the soot build up?

Only changed it a couple of weeks ago so not sure yet! Not sure what had caused the soot buildup but was thinking if it was something else then that and could be causing my issue but as I said actuator certainly seemed suspect.

 

[Bigandbald]

Mine is getting worse, now it sounds gradually louder even on tick over I can hear a blow, looked at the flexi joint and that looks hanging so could be that. God knows.