Hi folks, Anyone up on turbo units? I have one that's gently sucking oil (not a lot though) and the bar (spindle?) that holds the fan in place can be moved up and down by a measure of about 7mm.. I assume it needs repairing asap? I've phoned around and a place can pick it up by courier (once I've removed it) and turn it around fairly quickly having repaired it (I've been told they put some titanium bushes in). The cost of a new turbo (or even reconditioned) is very prohibitive and I've also found that Renault (those crazy french) use different turbos on the same line of car. So I guess it'd be better getting the one I have repaired rather than a replacement that could cause further problems if it's 'not quite right'. Or.. do I trade my car in and let someone else have the problem? I've put a fair amount of money into this car - it's had the belts done, rear bushes, springs all round, brakes... I just feel as though it's non-stop though. It seems once it reached about 75k it's needed bits and bobs aplenty. Renault appear to be one of the worst for reliable cars, but mine has been fairly good. It just keeps having niggling problems that need sorting, one after the other. Any recommendations?
What model and year is it mate? I thought the same as you until I bought a modern Renault a few years ago. Bar one faulty ABS sensor unit, it never gave me a pick of bother, and I never did less than 25K miles per year in it.
If it's a car you've spent money on getting nice I'd get the turbo done and accept it. That or DIY - a bearing puller can't be that much.
It might be ok for a while longer. Heat and vibration are things to watch for. and if the turbo died it might throw metal bits into the engine. Id look at getting it changed before junking the whole car.
Had a few Turbo cars incl an RS Turbo the spindle can move backwards and forwards a bit but up and down is bad, Sounds like you might need to recondition it. If your near the south I know a great place that will change the bearings and see if there is any damage done to the fins. If the bearings are going you will have white or black smoke on cold starts that gradually clears when warm. Far better to get the turbo repaired and serviced then either second hand off ebay or buying new
I'd have thought so! 7mm is a pretty large movement, considering the tolerances you normally see on engine parts. I assume you're talking about the shaft that ties the impellor / hot exhaust side to the compressor / cold inlet? If so I'm betting the bearings have gone in it. I feel your pain. We have an 04 plate Lag2 and it's been a bloody money pit since we got it. Don't figure on a cheap repair bill - Renault don't do cheap :/ Hopefully we'll be shot of it soon, especially as the dual mass flywheel is now on it's way out.
DMF's are one of those engineering nightmares that are always troublesome. I've heard so many horror stories about their DMF's going mad (particularly in Vectras).
Thanks to everyone so far. I'm thinking a repair should work out the cheapest option. Goo, how many miles has your Laguna done, if you don't mind me asking?
I think the company down south is called Turbo Teknics that can repair it on the cheap, or maybe find out the price of the bearing and seal kit and do it yourself?
Ah, mine's on around 82k. Yep, that's the company I'm thinking of using. Tbh, I really wouldn't know where to start on a diy job. The thought of tinkering with the noisy parts on a car fills me with dread. I just know I'd snap something off. Looks a bit involving!
Unless your turbo has literally self-destructed I wouldn't expect a need to take the intercooler out. The turbo comes out with 6 bolts and a bit of fiddling. The outside of the turbo, inlet and exhaust mani are all pretty robust parts (thanks to how hot they get), so you shouldn't be able to damage anything. It can be a bit frightening to do stuff like this (I'm no stranger to that), but it does look pretty simple.
Hi guy, just seen your posts now. I work with auto parts and it sounds like the bearings have gone in the turbo, that is what normally makes the shaft movable. As said 7mm is quite bad. They are not hard to replace, the only thing I will tell you to do is to prime the turbo with oil otherwise it will go bang soon after fitting (had a customer do this before).
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Krikkit. I'm going to leave it the pros though Thanks also to Solid_dean, good to know it should be an easy (and hopefully not too dear!) I'll have a word with the mechanic to ensure the priming's done.
I would be temped to look into a turbo timer, it keeps it spooled up after you turn the engine off to ensure its properly cooled and lubricated to ensure longevity.
I find it's good practice to leave a turbo car idling for 15 seconds or so before switching it off after a run. I do it on my TDCi.
