audizaka4

why do the the turbos keep blowing on my 97 a4 quattro s? i replaced the turbo after my stock one went bad and ever since iv blown i think 2 more. whats a good turbo for the car?

vtraudt

Most turbos 'blow' because of restricted lubrication.
If you change the turbo, you need to install a new oil return line as well (everyone recommends it). At the VERY LEAST, you have to clean the line with brake cleaner (1 complete can at least) and blow it out.

Next: certainly ONLY synthetic oil 5W.

Next: OEM or MANN oil filters (Fram do NOT work, they don't have the right bypass pressure setting)

Next: if driven hard (under boost), let turbo oil cool down by letting the car run idle for 1 minute before you shut it down ('turbo timer').

And: only original KKK/Borg Warner turbos, or high quality turbo repair shop (factory rebuilt). NEVER, EVER Ebay China turbo (they are worth the metal the junkyard pays you for it, say: $10).

Other than that, there is really nothing that destroys a turbo. They can last several 100k miles. I drive mine hard (155k now) AND high boost (20 psi).

Let me know if you need a good turbo rebuilt (or, for a few $$$ more, you can have the K03 rebuilt and upgraded to a K03 Hybrid like mine (flows 180 g/sec with Giac PC 16, which (I was told) is actually a bit more than most K04 with chip are capable of).

ryan_qttro

I'd replace the turbo feed line too, make sure it is getting all the oil too

Peter Badore

What oil and filter are you using? How frequently do you change them?

vtraudt

I now use the MANN after reading that the filter requires a specific bypass pressure setting (which the fram etc. DO NOT HAVE).

But also have used Mobil 1 filters before (just not fram or similar no name).

Peter Badore

I have have found a Mobil 1 oil filter that blew out its filtering media on an Audi 2.8l V6 and jammed the oil pressure relief valve open causing almost no oil flow to the cylinder heads. I have not seen a Mann filter do this.

vtraudt

Yup. Got careful after reading about the various filter bypass pressures Audi specifies for the different engine. Now have a stash to 10 Mann on hand!

rd929

Maybe about 20 pages back, someone mentioned that a tech (not sure if it was an AoA or an indie) said instead of the labor to remove the oil filter screen and check the turbos, you could simply check the operating oil pressure. If the oil pressure is running low, that could be your indicator that you need to replace the filter screen. I haven't seen it mentioned since then, does this seem like a way to easier determine turbo health for something like a PPI?

Is it possible to buy a car above 70k miles, to go to Audi and get an extended warranty in your name that would cover turbo failure?