Blue Smoke, Whining when Accelerating, No Boost

[MonkeyTibs]

Thanks for all the information. My mechanical knowledge is practically zero but my brother is a truck mechanic and said he'd fit the new turbo for me so I'll start looking at getting the new parts for it. I've already ordered the gaskets etc from Seat but I'll have a look at the oil lines.

The rubber TIP is already off although there's still a metal pipe on it. I'll have a look when I get in from work for play if I can get my hand down to it.

I'll probably just print off your post and give it to my brother because I might as well be reading Arabic!

EDIT: Oh and I just checked my emails and I did send a query to AET on Sunday but they didn't get back to me. I'll try ringing them.

 

[8bit]

No worries, I'm in the same boat right now - except my car has the K04 so those and the other parts are more expensive, and I don't fancy trying to change the turbo myself and don't have any mechanic mates or brothers so I'll be lucky to spend less than a grand by the time my turbo has been swapped

I never bother emailing companies for enquiries of any sort unless there is no phone number, nobody ever seems to bother answering emails

 

[MonkeyTibs]

Just phoned AET and got quoted £438 including VAT (slightly cheaper than Midland Turbo) on an exchange basis so might go with them.

As for the oil lines and pick-up pipe, is this mandatory? I had the pick-up pipe cleaned out last week by a garage (before turbo blew) and they said it should all be fine now (but the damage was obviously already done to the turbo). The reason it's gone is because I didn't get the oil changed (imbecile, I know) and it went all sludgy and blocked the pick up pipe but it's all been cleaned and there's new oil in there.

 

[rk696]

FOr what they cost, you might as well change them to be on the safe side. You don't know how much slime is lining the insides of them after all.

 

[MonkeyTibs]

Got to the turbo today and the spindle that holds the fan is all over the place and there's probably more oil than there should be kicking about so turbo is gone.

Nearly got the bugger out but a couple of manifold bolts have seized so my mate is coming back tomorrow with some release fluid or something to get them off and get it out.

I should be able to order the new (well, refurbed) turbo tomorrow. The guy at AET turbos said that "With K03, the S doesn't matter - it's the number afterwards that matters" and said mine would be a "K03-52". I trust that this is correct!

 

[maxitrol]

bit of info i found on the ko3 vs the ko3s
http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133390

 

[JamJay]

The 's' has great flow capability so it is the 's' you want. However, what do you have now? Both turbos make 180bhp standard but the k03s will make around 10-15 bhp more remapped.

P.S. Love that you call the compressor wheel "the fan", made me laugh . But yes, a very wobbly fan, both up & down/side to side means pooped turbo.

 

[MonkeyTibs]

Haha I paused for a few seconds trying to remember the correct name for it but then thought "Sod it, they'll know what I mean!". I'm useless with anything mechanical. Give me a computer or anything fitness/nutrition related and I can talk all day but when it comes to engines/cars in general I am as useful as a chocolate teapot.

As far as I know there's a K03s in there now but from what I've read I think the K03-052 is a K03s, they just reference it differently.

I guess if it turns up and has 12 blades then I'll be sending it back!

 

[8bit]

Just phoned AET and got quoted £438 including VAT (slightly cheaper than Midland Turbo) on an exchange basis so might go with them.

As for the oil lines and pick-up pipe, is this mandatory? I had the pick-up pipe cleaned out last week by a garage (before turbo blew) and they said it should all be fine now (but the damage was obviously already done to the turbo). The reason it's gone is because I didn't get the oil changed (imbecile, I know) and it went all sludgy and blocked the pick up pipe but it's all been cleaned and there's new oil in there.

If there's been sludge blocking the pickup then there's every chance there could be deposits of it in the turbo feed and/or return lines. If that's the case then your newly refurbished turbo will suffer oil flow issues and end up in the same state as it is now.

I know its' yet more cash but are you prepared to chance another £500ish again? I'm not, hence why I'm spending the extra on mine next week.

 

[MonkeyTibs]

If there's been sludge blocking the pickup then there's every chance there could be deposits of it in the turbo feed and/or return lines. If that's the case then your newly refurbished turbo will suffer oil flow issues and end up in the same state as it is now.

I know its' yet more cash but are you prepared to chance another £500ish again? I'm not, hence why I'm spending the extra on mine next week.

Seeing as I'm getting a refurb rather than a new turbo I can probably afford to grab the feed/return lines. Do you know part numbers by any chance?

 

[8bit]

Sorry, am afraid not - got ones for the K04 turbos but they're different

EDIT - and as I said, I'd consider it an essential along with repair/replace turbo, not an "if i can afford it", or you could end up in the same boat again soon...

 

[MonkeyTibs]

Appreciate that. I'll definitely get them, I just meant I can probably afford to grab them now along with turbo rather than having to wait until I got paid. I'll phone the stealers and see if they have them.

 

[MonkeyTibs]

Finally got the bugger out tonight. Had to take out manifold and undo countless bolts but finally came out!

 

[JamJay]

It's tiny

 

[MonkeyTibs]

I've got big mongoloid hands! It does look small from that angle but there's a load of stuff attached to the side of it that was attached to the manifold so it's fairly hefty.

Hopefully this time next week I'll be back on the road *fingers crossed*.