VW Golf Mk7 1.4TSI - turbo replacement at 61k?
Discussion
Hey folks,
I've got a 16 reg Golf Mk7 1.4TSI Bluemotion, 61k miles. I've had it since 2019 and put about 20k on.
Over the last couple of months I noticed the EPC light coming on, then finally the engine light. ACC deactivates and stop start is disabled.
I took it to the garage for a service as well as getting this looked in to, and they suggested the battery needed replacing, but that the turbo was seized and they had freed it up, but warned me I might need a new turbo.
After a short drive the lights came back on again which means a new turbo apparently.
I must stress that, firstly, I know eff-all about cars, and this garage have come highly recommended by friends who are VAG enthusiasts, have excellent reviews, and I've used them for a while now and they do seem like good guys, so my post isn't really questioning their informed opinion. But everyone I speak to, plus all the searching online, it seems crazy the turbo has gone at such mileage.
Has anyone else had this issue? Am I wrong in thinking that that's low mileage for a turbo to go?
Even more frustrating, I was planning to sell the car just before these lights appeared...
Any opinions or advice would be appreciated
I've got a 16 reg Golf Mk7 1.4TSI Bluemotion, 61k miles. I've had it since 2019 and put about 20k on.
Over the last couple of months I noticed the EPC light coming on, then finally the engine light. ACC deactivates and stop start is disabled.
I took it to the garage for a service as well as getting this looked in to, and they suggested the battery needed replacing, but that the turbo was seized and they had freed it up, but warned me I might need a new turbo.
After a short drive the lights came back on again which means a new turbo apparently.
I must stress that, firstly, I know eff-all about cars, and this garage have come highly recommended by friends who are VAG enthusiasts, have excellent reviews, and I've used them for a while now and they do seem like good guys, so my post isn't really questioning their informed opinion. But everyone I speak to, plus all the searching online, it seems crazy the turbo has gone at such mileage.
Has anyone else had this issue? Am I wrong in thinking that that's low mileage for a turbo to go?
Even more frustrating, I was planning to sell the car just before these lights appeared...
Any opinions or advice would be appreciated
A long turbo lifespan depends on several things.
Clean good quality oil and enough of it in the sump, so regular oil changes are key, personally i give all this long life and extended servicing cobblers a good ignoring.
Very important some mechanical sympathy, don't drive the car hard from cold let the oil get warm before giving it the beans, and don't turn the engine off straight away after driving it even reasonably hard, you must let it tick over for up to a couple of minutes to allow the engine oil flowing through the turbo to cool things down, longer if you've really been hammering it, and smooth throttle control not ramming it to the floor and lifting off rapidly.
Lastly if i had a car modern enough for stop start, the very first thing i'd do is switch SS off and if possibly get it mapped out entirely.
I've know turbos fail in quite short order, one daughter had turbo failure on her newly bought 40k mile BMW 320d many years ago, luckily it was under approved used warranty so they stumped up for it...as usual with such ex company or ex lease cars it had covered stupid but recommended mileages between prior services.
On the other hand i've covered well over 3 million miles, mostly in trucks (but also my own turbo petrol and Diesel cars/4x4s) with turbo Diesel engines and am yet to have a turbo fail, don't underestimate the value of allowing the engine to warm and cool gently.
Clean good quality oil and enough of it in the sump, so regular oil changes are key, personally i give all this long life and extended servicing cobblers a good ignoring.
Very important some mechanical sympathy, don't drive the car hard from cold let the oil get warm before giving it the beans, and don't turn the engine off straight away after driving it even reasonably hard, you must let it tick over for up to a couple of minutes to allow the engine oil flowing through the turbo to cool things down, longer if you've really been hammering it, and smooth throttle control not ramming it to the floor and lifting off rapidly.
Lastly if i had a car modern enough for stop start, the very first thing i'd do is switch SS off and if possibly get it mapped out entirely.
I've know turbos fail in quite short order, one daughter had turbo failure on her newly bought 40k mile BMW 320d many years ago, luckily it was under approved used warranty so they stumped up for it...as usual with such ex company or ex lease cars it had covered stupid but recommended mileages between prior services.
On the other hand i've covered well over 3 million miles, mostly in trucks (but also my own turbo petrol and Diesel cars/4x4s) with turbo Diesel engines and am yet to have a turbo fail, don't underestimate the value of allowing the engine to warm and cool gently.
Edited by Smint on Wednesday 27th April 19:23
That's some great advice, thank you.
I do like to think I look after my car, but can't say I've abided by everything you've said there throughout the time I've had it.
It has however had all the regular services at an actual VW garage; the last one as I say was at an independent due to the previous VW garage messing me around.
Yep I'll be disabling SS from now on for sure.
Thanks again
I do like to think I look after my car, but can't say I've abided by everything you've said there throughout the time I've had it.
It has however had all the regular services at an actual VW garage; the last one as I say was at an independent due to the previous VW garage messing me around.
Yep I'll be disabling SS from now on for sure.
Thanks again
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