Something to watch out for: loose turbo bolts!

[DrewstA]

And Plus I am assuming your car would be under warranty anyway, get the dealer to sort it out ASAP if it does happen.

yeah, i know... just being really cautious...

[Jmac]

I seem to remember we already have a loose turbo bolt thread going on in this arena. Great info however and i was in the middle of coming up with a big fix when this reared its head again, funny how things go. Anyway my fix if you have been reading the other turbo bolt thread was undisclosed what i had come up with. Anyway might as well say it was in fact a stud and locknut affair but still working out a temp efficient combo as its not only the polos this happens to, it happens to MANY other applications including trucks and buses. Luckily on the trucks and buses you can put a little tack weld on the bolt/manifold which can be easily snapped off if you need it to be for removal, but if you have been fortunate enough to see how much access you have then you have to get this one right 1st time. Im wire locking a K04 at the moment. I had the pleasure of wire locking LOTS of aircraft applications so itl bring back memories im sure. As for the other fix a work on progress for me anyway.Metallurgy is a facinating subject and really opens your eyes, includes torque to yield bolts, metal grades, NDT etc. What metal binds with what and on and on and on, massive subject and a seriously interesting one.
Cheers
Jmac

[insanekiwi]

As per recommendation from Jmac, I went to garage, and took the engine cover off, and tried to see how tight the bolts were. I did locate all 3 bolts. They felt all very tight with my hands. I did my yoga moves / and I could reach with my right hand as well.

I haven't had a short spanner to try to tighten them further. If they are tight already with fingers, if I try to tighten it further with spanner, would it be actually worse off? Or should I invest in a short spanner and try to tighten them further.

It was 17mm right? (Jmac I believe 16 was typo??)

Cheers
Han

[Timbo]

17mm is correct. I actually have an extensive collection of 17mm spanners now, including some sawn-off Saturday night specials

No doubt they'll come in handy again one day

[Blitzen]

How would Crows Foot spanners go on these bolts as opposed to sockets? Or can you get a 3/8 drive 17mm socket on there with a flex shaft or universal joint extension??

[Jmac]

Must be a cheap mis shaped 17mm spanner you guys are using. The size of the bolt head is 16mm and no typo guys. Ive taken 3 out today from a K04 and they are 16mm. I have longer replacements for an ATP manifold and they too are 16mm. Ive just bought 3 new replacements for a standard Manifold from Dub and they too are 16mm. I have made a spanner to fit. Buy yourself a cheapie super cheap jobbie and bend and cut till your hearts content.
Cheers
Jmac

[mikepologti]

Hi guys.
Being a newbie here, i'm also a little concerned with my Gti (07, 30,00kms) which i bought just a week ago - with these loose turbo bolt issues.
Last night i lifted the hood up and tried to find both the turbo and these bolts.
Well, i didnt even get as far as the turbo! So many hoses and things. I knew roughly where to look (between manifold and firewall) but boy oh boy...
Would someone be ok to post a photo or two of both where the turbo actually is, AND these bolts (and what actually needs to be moved out of the way to actually get to them).
Many thanks in advance...

the turbo is actually quite dificult to see from under the hood. personally i found it easyer to get at from under neath. like people said i like you shouldnt be worried about it cos there covered under waranty. and i understand the noise is very obvious. so once it starts see vw

[Jmac]

There is no need to be looking from below with reference to these mounting bolts. The turbo mounts from the top through the manifold. Use a mirror and you will see the 3 bolts in question. Access is not the best but by far not the worst job. Until i go to wire lock them that is
Cheers
Jmac

[insanekiwi]

Jmac is correct. Tried 17mm one today. Too big!! well it can be used, but it's not a tight fit. I would say 16mm is the size as Jmac pointed out in previous post.

Another thing. With the shortest rachet / spanner that can be angled etc, I couldn't reach it properly from the bonnet up. It's just too small place.

I remember seeing the turbo clearly when the car was up on the hoist.

It's finger tight currently on all 3 bolts. Looks like a trip to VW specialist to get it have it looked at.

[Jmac]

Ive cut down a crappy spanner mate, with a nice goose neck. This is good for checking and loosening, but on tighten up with new bolts and gasket you really need to torque them up to 40 NM, with high temp assembly paste, so the spanner wont help you there, but at least itll do to check them.
Cheers
Jmac