Re: Cab anyone verify 035 145 702EX as Watercooled K26 ?

[<isham-research.freeserve.co.uk@pop.pol.net.uk>]

>>  The family album states 035 145 702 EX as k26 watercooled exchange
>> unit.

>     I cannot say for sure, but the X is a designation for a rebuilt

To answer the original question - the family album does _NOT_ throw up
the words "water cooled".  What vehicle/engine is it for?

The majority of water-cooled exchange turbos seem to be GBP316.80, and
the air-cooled ones GBP409.  From the price that 035 145 702 EX throws
up, I'd suggest it's an old air-cooled type.

X is the designation for an exchange unit - you return the old one.

There are many reasons for this, but it doesn't follow that you get a
reconditioned unit.  I know that VAG UK uses common stock to fill both
direct sale and exchange requests - it's the same turbo off the same
shelf with a different pricing model.

VAG have pretty well wiped out the turbo rebuilders in the UK.  An
exchange (=new) Audi turbo for an ur-quattro (MB) is GBP316.80 -
even if a reconditioned unit were _FREE_ I wouldn't take the risk of
fitting it because of the GBP600-odd labour cost to get in and out
again.  The charge for failing to return the old unit is GBP150 -
so you can work out the cost/price envelope the rebuilders have to
work within.  It can't be done economically.

Audi's prices on major spares like this have improved beyond recognition
over the past year or two.  It's especially important with really major
jobs like an ur-quattro head swap that the parts you fit are top quality
and utterly reliable - you don't want the owner coming back with a funny
noise after a month or two that will cost you ten hours "free" labour
to swap out the part under warranty.

I'm about to swap the exhaust manifold on my Type 44.  I'll probably
swap the turbo at the same time, even though I don't think there's
anything wrong with it.  It's done 107k miles, and it has to come off
anyway for the manifold swap.

--
 Phil Payne
 UK Audi quattro Owners Club
 Phone +44 7785 302803  Fax +44 870 0883933