I have a 2001 2.7T w/ 110k. It's had an oil leak for a while, which the German car mechanic said was a leak on the turbo hose, probably no big deal. Lately the leak has gotten much worse, oil all over the bottom of the car. This morning, white smoke was spewing out the exhaust, but the car ran fine. My general mechanic (smart honest guy, not an Audi specialist) pulled the turbo hoses, saw oil on the right side, said the right turbo was bad. When he pulled the intercooler hoses on the bottom, oil poured out of both the right and left side. He says the turbos are bad and need to be replaced, but there are probably other leaks also. I have notice no strange whirrs or loss of power.

Reading this forum and Audi World, some people seem to think oil in the intercooler hoses could be a bad PCV system, others say the leak is from the cam adjuster seals. I also need a timing belt replacement. So, is it definitely the turbos? Or can should I replace these cam seals and PCV valve and spider hose first? What's the cost to get rebuilt turbos P&L?

 

A bad cam adjuster seal will not put oil into the intercoolers. I don't think a bad PCV valve would either. Oil in the intercoolers is the classic sign of bad turbo seals. The turbo compressor and exhaust wheels may be just fine, which is why your car runs fine, but the seals are letting oil past and into the intake (oil in the intercoolers) and exhaust (white smoke form the exhaust).

Looks like its trade in time!

Bob

 

Just happened to me. Car in shop now. Bad crank case breather caused pressure to build up in crank case and blow through crank seal and cam tensioner seals. Oil leaked onto exhaust and smoke blew out from bottom of car. Dealer cost $1800; to clean up, replace all seals, breather and cam tensioners. Oil change. No turbo damage.

 

Spyder pipe (climate specific) will cause overpressure and ALL problems described.
Cam adjuster seals and valve cover gaskets might be compromised.
Replacing turbos require engine off the car=> one could replace TB, seals, turbos and ... anything else (even the TC), saving on labor.
This is a mind game as one could end up doing little steps and finishing with the complete repairs, or a small step could be enough to fix.

Do not lose your sleep - Audi gods demand sacrifices!

 

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. My great, but non-Audi mechanic says he will pull the engine, replace the timing belt, seals, even do the torque converter for about 2000 labor. Parts are about $1000 for the TB, water pump, seals, belts, turbo hoses, about $900 for TC, $800 for turbo rebuild, so about $4700 to $5k for the whole thing. My guy does work on other german cars, Passats, BMV, Mercedez, but he is a general mechanic, not Audi or German car specific.

Would he be over his head to do this job? Does the price seem reasonable?

 

E, well:

labor -parts

TB - 5h - $450
TC - 17h- $950 (transmission down)
Turbos- 24h- $950 each.
Valve covers + cam adjuster seals- 6h - $150
Spyder pipe - 2h-$200

(I'm stating the Canadian parts pricing - yours should be lower)

An estimate with engine off the total labor could be ~28-34h.

I would not consider rebuild turbos. (K03 should be fine as the K04 have the same 4mm shaft that vibrates and bends with the speed).To much on stake here to have to repeat the labor.

Consider replacing front engine mount and serpentine belt tensioner, diverter valves.
Make sure you have the upgraded TC from Audi.
If never had changed the ATF - it could be a tricky part after - do not flush, just change. Pentozin.

Good luck.

 

Check Blauparts website for TB kit. Should be less than $400. TB labor alone is 6 hours (x his rate). Can't comment on other charges. I've read you can get K03 turbos for $300-400 apiece so $800 for rebuild sounds high. Rebuilding a TC for $900 sounds like a bargain since I've seen forum members rant about being charged $3k for this.

Audi and VW are the same manufacturer. But get a warranty or guaranty.

 

For $5k I say dump it and get something else. Who knows what other problems might surface after a job like that as well.