Cupra TDI - Turbo Issues

[gregw]

Hi Guys,

I have searched the forum in advance but can't find anything quite the same.
Had my Cupra (remapped) now for almost 7 months and it's always had a bit of a turbo whine to it but it had a smoke test and discovered no leaks and it wasn't particularly concerning so carried on regardless and done about 20K miles.

Yesterday morning started her up, drove down the hill and when I applied a bit of throttle the car went into limp home mode and every time I touched the throttle it made a horrendous squealing/howling noise which got louder the higher revs, it was so bad when I put the windows down I could hear it echoing off the walls of the houses at 7 in the morning.

The car didnt bring on the engine management light, turned it off and back on and the noise continued. The car has gone into limp home mode a couple of times before but never with this noise and when I turned it off and back on it was then fine.

Took it across to a garage today with it sounding like a formula 1 car all the way but traveling at 20mph, hooked it up to the diagnostic that confirmed the car keeps going into over boost. At first he suspected a leaking pipe but it all seems fine so he now thinks it could be something more costly.... as in the turbo being potentially reconditioned. Thing is the cars only done 54,000 miles and its a 57 reg. Anyone able to shed any further light or had a similar problem??

 

[The Seer]

Has the turbo been inspected as such? Do the veins spin correctly?

I've got a 57 plate Cupra TDi with 65K on the clock I've not encountered this as such. However I shouldn't think it's that uncommon if it has failed, then again some will cover over 100K I guess.

Perhaps it's an opportunity to upgrade to a turbo producing a bit more power?

 

[darkhorse]

A split hose will cause under boost not over boost.
Where is the noise coming from in the engine bay?
Things I would check:
Remove turbo outlet hose (from underneath the car) and check the impeller movement and whether it is making contact with the turbo housing.
Check the alternator belt for damage and the pulleys turn freely

 

[gregw]

The turbo is being taken to 'Midland Turbos' tomorrow but the actuator is not operating properly and only opening to 25% pressure of what it should (don't ask me the details I'm not a turbo expert).

The 204BHP will do me for now, don't really need a bigger turbo it's just unfortunate that the Cupras turbo is rather bespoke and hence expensive to refurb/replace.

Thanks for the advice 'darkhorse', the alternator belt and pulleys are fine, the screaming whine is definitely coming from the turbo itself.

 

[Andi]

Sounds like the common vnt veins sticking. Keep us updated on diagnosis.

 

[winko]

Yup I agree about the veins sticking, my cupra tdi has the exact same symptoms as yours except mine isn't remapped. Only just started doing it the last few days, it came out of no where. Keep us updated on what the price for a recon or new turbo is, it will be interesting to know as mines in the garage next week.

 

[lee_fr200]

I have had the same issue with 2 seat turbochargers, now changed to garret and not had a problem since

 

[gregw]

Well the turbo has gone off to be refurbished at 'Midlands Turbo', normally you take them your turbo and they give you an already refurbished one replacement there and then... unfortunately since the Cupra has a rather 'bespoke' turbo they don't stock it in so they have to refurbish my actual turbo which is a pain. It will take 3 to 4 days so I'm looking at finally getting my car back on Weds or Thurs .

When I know the actual issue and costing I shall let you guys know...... all I know is that it's going to be an expensive month .

 

[lee_fr200]

Hence why when mine went i just got another seat turbo, when that went I got the garret as its far better

 

[747_727]

Is it correct that some people have fitted a Turbo from a
a Leon/golf pd150 to there cupra tdi's as a cheaper option?

 

[vroomtshh]

Hence why when mine went i just got another seat turbo, when that went I got the garret as its far better

Who do you think make Seat's turbos?

 

[vroomtshh]

Is it correct that some people have fitted a Turbo from a
a Leon/golf pd150 to there cupra tdi's as a cheaper option?

People with pd130s do. It's not really a cheaper option, it's more of a better option. But not since u have a cupra

 

[Razzario]

Who do you think make Seat's turbos?

I think the reference is to the kkk blt turbo.

 

[747_727]

People with pd130s do. It's not really a cheaper option, it's more of a better option. But not since u have a cupra

I thought I read people used the 150 turbos on cupra's as they are easily found second hand and easier to get new?

 

[MJ]

The KKK turbos are very prone to failure where as the garret units are a lot more stable.

And these veins everyone's on about do they pump blood around the turbo or are you on about the variable vanes?

 

[lee_fr200]

Who do you think make Seat's turbos?

What I meant was when I got a quote to repair my original turbo it was nearly as much as buying a new turbo the repair was only good for 30 days warranty or a new turbo was 12 month warranty!

After 16 month that turbo expired so I was advised to fit a garret for strength and reliability

 

[uzi_cupra]

The turbo is being taken to 'Midland Turbos' tomorrow but the actuator is not operating properly and only opening to 25% pressure of what it should (don't ask me the details I'm not a turbo expert).

The 204BHP will do me for now, don't really need a bigger turbo it's just unfortunate that the Cupras turbo is rather bespoke and hence expensive to refurb/replace.

Thanks for the advice 'darkhorse', the alternator belt and pulleys are fine, the screaming whine is definitely coming from the turbo itself.

If the actuator is not operating properly then some vac tests would have told you if it was the actuator or the veins in the tubo.

Well the turbo has gone off to be refurbished at 'Midlands Turbo', normally you take them your turbo and they give you an already refurbished one replacement there and then... unfortunately since the Cupra has a rather 'bespoke' turbo they don't stock it in so they have to refurbish my actual turbo which is a pain. It will take 3 to 4 days so I'm looking at finally getting my car back on Weds or Thurs .

When I know the actual issue and costing I shall let you guys know...... all I know is that it's going to be an expensive month .

hardly bespoke...its a fairly common wheel size. I hope your not getting bumped for a re con and fitting etc when it could very well be something simple...

Who do you think make Seat's turbos?

santa and his elfs? please tell meeeee

 

[gregw]

Apologies for not updating, got the car back on Thursday of last week, runs like a dream now in fact when I asked the mechanic if he thought it was running fine his words were 'yer.... if anything it's working a bit too well'. No noise at all from the turbo now, no faults on the dashboard and the car runs very smoothly .

The turbo bearing had collapsed causing it to fail, general wear and tear was the summary from midlands turbo but the most likely cause was dirt getting in the air intake (potentially when the air filter was replaced) and damaging the fans in the turbo causing vibration within the turbo (probably the cause of the whining noise since I've had the car). The recondition itself cost £450, the guy who fixed the car also changed all of the hoses and seals at the same time and only charged £25 an hour for his time so the bill wasn't quite as large as I first feared.... still expensive though .

 

[Andi]

Glad to hear it was a solid diagnosis and repair. Not to bad a price either. Glad to hear its all fixed and running well again.

 

[winko]

Apologies for not updating, got the car back on Thursday of last week, runs like a dream now in fact when I asked the mechanic if he thought it was running fine his words were 'yer.... if anything it's working a bit too well'. No noise at all from the turbo now, no faults on the dashboard and the car runs very smoothly .

The turbo bearing had collapsed causing it to fail, general wear and tear was the summary from midlands turbo but the most likely cause was dirt getting in the air intake (potentially when the air filter was replaced) and damaging the fans in the turbo causing vibration within the turbo (probably the cause of the whining noise since I've had the car). The recondition itself cost £450, the guy who fixed the car also changed all of the hoses and seals at the same time and only charged £25 an hour for his time so the bill wasn't quite as large as I first feared.... still expensive though .

Good to hear its all sorted! My turbo has the exact same problem as yours, had to sent it off to the warranty company's preferred repairer who said there's nothing wrong with it!! Think I'm being done over here... so getting a second opinion at another place. No turbo should make that amount of noise! What is a reconditioned turbo then is it all oem parts? How much did they quote for a new one? I've seen them go for £650 new