81 5k Turbo Probs (fwd)

[Phil@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

This gentleman didn't copy the list on the details of his problem,
but I feel he should have.  Here's more information:

> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 13:29:49 -0500 (CDT)
> To: phil@sievers.com
> From: Jim Jordan <superba@ix.netcom.com>
> Subject: Re: 81 5k Turbo Probs
>
> Phil,
>
> Thanks for your quick reply.  I used new Audi gaskets for the inlet and
> outlet oil lines, and I tried to be sure that the correct side of the inlet
> was "up".  However, they are both symetric;  I looked at a spare of each
> sent by the turbo supplier, which are "cheaper" than the real ones from
> Audi.  I do not have a real runout guage, but I felt the compressor and
> impeller blades for both axial and radial runout(play) and none was
> perceptible to my fingers.  My old turbo had none either when I removed it
> and I knew then that the turbo wasn't the problem;  it later turned out to
> be the cat converter.
>
> The turbo was a rebuilt supplied by A1 Turbo Industry, Santa Monica, CA.  A1
> Turbo delayed shipping it to me because an oil ring groove in the turbo
> shaft was not wide enough for the seals, and they sent it to a local machine
> shop to be machined.  I questioned this, for their turbo shaft rebuilder is
> in "Kansas City", and they said it was perfectly ok.  However,
> unknowledgeable machining of the shaft could have changed its metallurgical
> properties.
>
> Nevertheless, they have my old turbo which was worn but still good, and I
> have a car that smokes so bad that I'm afraid to drive it for fear of
> getting it impounded not to mention using up enough oil to do mechanical damage.
>
> A1 Turbo says to remove it and send it to them for them to inspect, and I'm
> sure they'll blame something like not using a new oil inlet line which I
> told them I was not going to do.  Audi's price for the oil inlet line is
> about $210 USD, almost as much as the rebuilt turbo cost.  I inspected the
> oil inlet line at the inlet to the turbo and there was less than 0.5mm of
> coking material that extended in no more than 25-30mm.  I cleaned it
> thoroughly removing all the coking, cleaned it with solvent and then dragged
> an 10mm rope through it several times.  The oil and filters were changed as
> part of the job;  it's nearly impossible to change the turbo without it.
>
> As I see it I have several alternatives:
>
> 1. Take the car to the Audi workshop, M&M, and have them inspect the turbo
> and remove it to establish themselves as witnesses to what has happened,
> then try to get A1 Turbo to remedy the problem.  This one costs over $300 at
> M&M for openers, and will probably precipitate a battle with A1 Turbo.  I'll
> either have to drive it there in the dark or have it towed which will cost
> at last $75 more.
>
> 2. Ignore A1 Turbo for now and get a rebuild kit which costs about $130,
> rebuild it myself and deal with A1 later.  This one implies that the
> integrity of the turbo housing is sound;  it should not have been rebuilt by
> A1 Turbo if it isn't.
>
> 3. Remove the turbo and ship it to A1 Turbo for "inspection", which will
> inevitably result in their finding something wrong that nullifies any
> responsibility they may have.  This wouldn't be too bad except that they
> have my old turbo now as part of the rebuild purchase.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: +44 385302803  Fax: +44 1536723021  CIS: 100012,1660