Turbo actuator

Apr 9, 2020
8
0
Hello,

Been having an issue with my 2014 FR184. It kept coming up air leak P2279. Took it to my local VAG specialist and he found the egr to be knackered. Got that and a dpf delete because why not. Fine for around 2 months and then starts again. In limp mode, same code but only seems to be under load in 5th or 6th gear and I get a shudder (this may be clutch related but have read overboost can cause this) took it in again and after "extensive" investigation he has narrowed it down to a faulty actuator. Apparently the actuator can't be replaced itself, it needs to be the entire turbo and for the new turbo and the cost to fit I have been quoted just over 2 and a half grand. Question is, is this legit? Or can the actuator be replaced itself? Don't want to be throwing thousands at the thing if I don't need to. Also would sticky vanes cause the actuator to stick and if it was woould I need to defo replace the turbo. Any insight would be great. TIA
 

Speedbird

Active Member
Aug 10, 2018
268
135
Sorry, I don't have any answers to your questions. Just out of interest though, have you had the car remapped? It is high mileage? Cheers.
 
Apr 9, 2020
8
0
Sorry, I don't have any answers to your questions. Just out of interest though, have you had the car remapped? It is high mileage? Cheers.
Bendy it did get remapped after egr dpf delete and it's done just under 75000.
 

TheVoice

Active Member
Jun 11, 2016
175
11
Scotland
I'm about to be staring down the same barrel I believe, I've had an intermittent turbo actuator fault for a little while. Have you had any further joy with finding out if it's a repairable part rather than a full replacement?
 

DeanMcclaughlin

Active Member
Aug 13, 2020
8
1
Had a 2.0tdi CBBB engjne in work recently. Actuator wasn't holding vacuum (this is the type that's on the rear/top of the engine pointing downwards into the turbo). Unfortunately there's no way of getting the actuator off with the turbo in place unless you cut the arm from above (the manifold is in the way of the 10mm nut on the arm), but then there's no way of doing the new one up. Also then once its back together there's no way of adjusting the arm if need be to set it up right, that's assuming you took the turbo off, changed the actuator, then put the turbo back on. Ended up having to change the whole turbo. Certainly wasn't that money though, think the customer ended up paying about a grand all in.
 

DeanMcclaughlin

Active Member
Aug 13, 2020
8
1
Although you should be getting a P0299 underboost code if the actuator has failed.....You can test it yourself quite easily if you have a vac pump to hand. If it holds vacuum, it's good, if it doesn't, it's ******. I'm assuming you have a vac operated actuator and not an electronic one? Easiest way to tell is look on your firewall to the right of the turbo, if theres a solenoid there with vac pipes coming off and going to the actuator then it's vacuum operated, if not there should be a rectangular metal/plastic box connected to the turbo that moves the arm. Either way 2.5k is mental money for that job. Hardest part is wiggling the dpf out over the subframe, but since you've had the dpf deleted (and a pipe in its place?) then that makes life a million times easier and it's probably around a 3/4 hour job, if that. Also it doesn't take "extensive" testing to get to the bottom of boost issues on these engines, if you have a vac pump, boost leak tester, vcds and a brain then it takes half hour at most. I'm very wary about their " vag specialist" moniker
 
Last edited:
Apr 9, 2020
8
0
Hello thanks for replying. Aye when I say extensive testing I mean it faulted with me, I'd switch the car off and the fault would clear. Regular round town driving there is no issue so when it went it he couldn't get it to fault until he took it on the motorway and it did. Done smoke tests etc couldn't find anything until he done a vac test with mercury gauge on the actuator and found the problem. So yes a new turbo it is. The actuator is riveted onto the unit itself so can't replace just that. ? Interesting you say about it's being a 3/4 of an hour job seeing as there is no dpf to take away. But would the whole exhaust not need be removed, or at least the pipe from the turbo back? The 2500 is for all the work so far and that will be done. 1500 for a brand new turbo. Call me a snob but not going for recon.
 

DeanMcclaughlin

Active Member
Aug 13, 2020
8
1
Sorry, used the wrong symbol there, meant 3-4 hours, probably less, not 3/4 of an hour ? But even so, its not a bad job after dropping the dpf pipe, egr cooler off with a few bolts and then the turbo is right there waiting for you. With a pipe in place of the dpf (therefore easy to remove, it's the big dpf that's a fucker to get out without removing the subframe) I reckon it could be done in 2-3 hours if you know what you're doing. Say you're throwing £1500 at a new turbo then with labour, gaskets and oil/coolant you shouldn't be looking at more than a £1650-1750 job. You know what his hourly rate is?
 
Apr 9, 2020
8
0
Sorry, used the wrong symbol there, meant 3-4 hours, probably less, not 3/4 of an hour ? But even so, its not a bad job after dropping the dpf pipe, egr cooler off with a few bolts and then the turbo is right there waiting for you. With a pipe in place of the dpf (therefore easy to remove, it's the big dpf that's a fucker to get out without removing the subframe) I reckon it could be done in 2-3 hours if you know what you're doing. Say you're throwing £1500 at a new turbo then with labour, gaskets and oil/coolant you shouldn't be looking at more than a £1650-1750 job. You know what his hourly rate is?

Haha! I was about to call him and get discount. Like I said it's including all the work before I get the new turbo. Think he's 55 quid an hour for labour. He sent me over a breakdown and everything is included and seems legit. It is a quote so may come in a bit cheaper. Well hopefully. **** cars man! ??
 

DeanMcclaughlin

Active Member
Aug 13, 2020
8
1
Haha! I was about to call him and get discount. Like I said it's including all the work before I get the new turbo. Think he's 55 quid an hour for labour. He sent me over a breakdown and everything is included and seems legit. It is a quote so may come in a bit cheaper. Well hopefully. **** cars man! ??
£55 ? wow. My place charges 50 and I thought that was steep, lol. I assume that's 55 plus the extra 20% for the scumbags running the extortion racket known as the Government. £66 an hour then.
Why haven't you gone for a recon, they're like half the price? I know theoretically they are used, but if you get a decent recon then it is still as good as new. I've been a mechanic for 20 years now and have fitted many recon units, never had a problem with them unexpectedly giving up. Either you have lots of money you don't want or you want peace of mind. I'll assume its the second one and so you can take it from someone who has a lot of experience that recon turbos are fine.
I don't know what this guy has said, if you made this choice on your own or he had some input, but if he did and he's the one supplying the turbo then remember he'll want you to have the more expensive one because he's making 20-30% profit on all parts and there's more to be made off a new one than a recon.
 
Apr 9, 2020
8
0
No that's his top rate. Bit steep but not for round where I'm from. I spoke to a few mechanic mates about recon or new and mixed response. We had a proper chat and he said he would be happy to go for a recon aaand then the wife stepped in and said (because she drives it more) get the new one because I don't want it breaking again. Save myself the sare head and do as I'm told. I appreciate you putting my mind at rest. I stuck a turbo from a breaker on my Avensis T180 so I know a recon woulda been fine.