Loose Turbo Bolts - growing problem

[Petrina Polo]

lol awesome

They could see the FMIC and exhaust. I didnt want to hide the chip from them as they might hook up the computer and reflash it thinking they are doing me free update...

I told them it runs stock boost all the time as its better on fuel.

They were very hostile to begin with.. Before he even said helow, he was on his knees checking out my FMIC?? (I had the bottom grill refitted over weekend in an attempt to hide it.)

[Petrina Polo]

**** UPDATE *****

VW said they tightened bolts to factory spec which he said werent really loose at all.. They said they only tightened it one-two turns. Cars goes no different so I imagine their explanation is valid.

They didnt charge but said if it happens again it wont be covered under warranty as chip/exhaust mods would be causing the extra heat on the turbo/manifold.

I have a printout of the works completed.

[gtimk5]

I am guessing your problem will return. 1-2 turns is a lot when they are compressing a gasket.
They should have replaced the gasket and bolts. Lubed the heads of the bolts thoroughly and retensioned them to 30nms. I think the first time Rob took his Polo into the dealer here, that was exactly what they did too, just tightened them up. Lasted less than 2 hours!!

[noone]

I'm interested to know a few things about this issue:

1: How did you first diagnose there was an issue, and this was it? Was it the noise of the leaked boost pressure or a loss in power?

2: Can you manually check these without a degree (or in my case a clue ?)

By the dialogue I get the impression that the bolts / manifold is down the back of the engine, close to the back of the engine bay, could someone point me in the direction of an image of where these are? I know I'm asking for a mechanical layout 101, really lost on the engine layout with all the pipes going all over the place...

[Petrina Polo]

My understanding is back of motor against firewall..

If they come loose again, ill go back to VW, they said no warranty on this next time but Ill find proof that it occurs on stock cars as well, hence they cant blame my exhaust/boost.

The car goes no better or worse than when it did this morning, so im guessing the problem in mine isnt much at all.

[Catfish]

I'm interested to know a few things about this issue:

1: How did you first diagnose there was an issue, and this was it? Was it the noise of the leaked boost pressure or a loss in power?

2: Can you manually check these without a degree (or in my case a clue ?)

By the dialogue I get the impression that the bolts / manifold is down the back of the engine, close to the back of the engine bay, could someone point me in the direction of an image of where these are? I know I'm asking for a mechanical layout 101, really lost on the engine layout with all the pipes going all over the place...

Futher to this - is it the noise of the exhaust leak past the gasket that exposes this problem, or is there a reduction in boost because the turbo is getting reduced exhaust gas pressure? Or is it the rattling of loose bolts? As it's on the 'dirty' side of the turbo, there shouldn't be a direct loss of boost like with an inlet manifold/intercooler leak.

[gtimk5]

The bolts are accessible under the heat sheild at the back of the rocker cover, not easy but not the worst job by far!!!

[PoloGTi]

You can first hear the exhaust leak on cold morning starts as its at this time when it sounds the worst.
Only takes a few days once you first hear it to get bad.

[insanekiwi]

What does it sound like???
if you have a boost gauge, will it pick up leak? i.e. at peak

thanks.

[Petrina Polo]

My bolts were tightened today but VW said they werent too loose but not up to factory spec.

My car makes the same boost at manifold as it did yesterday so not effecting performance.

My gauge is hooked up at manifold so either my case was not a bad case or it dont effect performance much..