Re: Desperate for Help With My A4... Turbo/Hose Problem?

[John Cunningham <johnc@together.net>]

Greg -

Pretty certain you have the turbo-to-intercooler hose blowout problem.  This is
a known weakness for the 1.8T.  If you are still under warranty the dealer
should replace it.  It has happened to plenty of car owners with stock chips, so
don't let anybody tell you that the chip did it.  Apparently a seam goes on this
hose due to heat fatigue.  Why the dealer wouldn't have noticed this, I don't
know though, except extreme incompetence (a dealer?  no way, shocking!).
Actually I suppose under no load if the hose holds shape and doesn't leak, it
might be easy to overlook.

The reason you only hear it under boost is obvious, it takes a certain psi over
atmospheric to open it up.  Also explains why it's worse with the perf. chip and
better with stock.

If you aren't under warranty, or the dealer refuses to cover because you have a
chip, or if you just like the biggest and the best, Samco makes aftermarket
silicone replacement hoses that don't have a seam and spozed to solve the
problem permanently.

Some guys have had luck with a duct tape & hose clamp temporary cobjob fix just
to get around.  Theoretically, you could occaisionally drop below atmospheric
pressure and suck unfiltered air in which would be bad both because you'd be
sucking dirt, and because you'd be leaning out your mix with unmetered air.

Good luck, let me know what you find out -

JC


> 14psi.  I've also got a pretty loud moan/groan/drone from the engine
> compartment whenever the engine is under load (i.e. accelerating with the
> pedal more than halfway down).  The noise is loud and constant as long as I