Turbo trouble

[jpdmcm]

We have a 1997 Passat TDI sedan. Recently, it lost acceleration power and was putting out lots of exhaust. Exhaust problem seems better, but accleration is pretty bad. The dealer says it needs a new turbo and new injectors.

The turbo definitely seems to be not working - but is there anything else I should have checked before going ahead with the turbo replacement (like a special fuse or something?) They said it would cost about $1800 to replce the turbo.

I was also told by someone I trust that I should just do the turbo since that might clear up any injector problem that may or may not exist.

Any advice?

[boschmann]

Excessive black smoke w/loss of power almost always indicates the turbo. I've also seen loss of power w/o so much smoke from a sooted up intake manifold (remove the rubber intake pipe right at the aluminum manifold & look in at the PCV valve).

[Rammstein]

Don't replace that turbo, it's probably fine.

Turbo and injectors are different things.

If you change the turbo the injectors won't get any better trust me.

I changed the injectors on mine for bigger, it's a nice feeling (from 90 hp and 149 lb-ft to 100 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque).

What you are experiencing is called "limp mode".

It's like the turbo doesn't work or "cut" at a certain load.

Mine was cutting when reaching a certain rpm.

I changed the N75.

The N75 is the valve which controls the wastegate, which controls the turbo by the ECU's software.

It cost me 92 CAD to get a new valve and voila! No more cutting!

You can also replace all the vacuum hoses (don't forget the one in the ECU), you may have a hella of a leak.

Do this first, it should costs you less than 150CAD (that's about 115 USD) and see if you are able to resolve your problem.

You don't buy a new turbo, it's simply stupid.

A new turbo for our cars is around 750$ CAD anyway, not 1800, that's double the price.

You remove your turbo and you get it rebuilt.

It'll cost you less than a new one and you can even ask to make it stronger if you wish....

Lastly, when you have a TDI, TDIclub.com is the place to ask diesel engine related questions.

Come over, I have the same screen name over there and we will direct you towards cheap durable solutions.

If your turbo is gone, your car will emit white smoke and will be real slow.

Driving it more will destroy the engine. Be careful ok?

Black smoke is ok, white smoke is bad.