A4 1.8T with blown turbo, rebuild or replace?
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AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Vegas
A4 1.8T with blown turbo, rebuild or replace?
I just sold my LS1 Camaro and am looking to get into the finer side of automotive. I am considering purchasing a 2004 A4 1.8T. The car is in excellent shape inside and out with BBS wheels, but the turbo is blown and the car has 112k on it.
The seller is offering the car at $6k which seems fair to me with the turbo being blown. I would want to either rebuild the turbo or replace it with a stock K03. My budget for repairs would be about $500.
For you experienced A4 owners, does this sound like a good deal and can I realistically find a rebuild kit and rebuild the turbo myself for about $500 or less? Anything else I should watch out for?
Thanks in advance and sorry about the noob question.
The seller is offering the car at $6k which seems fair to me with the turbo being blown. I would want to either rebuild the turbo or replace it with a stock K03. My budget for repairs would be about $500.
For you experienced A4 owners, does this sound like a good deal and can I realistically find a rebuild kit and rebuild the turbo myself for about $500 or less? Anything else I should watch out for?
Thanks in advance and sorry about the noob question.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 37
From: Fort Worth, Tx
Me personnally? Wouldn't touch it. If someone has blown the turbo at 112K, it means he has either 1) not been taking care of it or 2) really abused the car. In either case, the turbo is probably the tip of the iceberg. I would look for a well maintained car, paying more if necessary. As a data point, I bought an 02 sport for $4500 that needed a little work based on age (193K miles), but the car was well maintained.
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
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I just sold my LS1 Camaro and am looking to get into the finer side of automotive. I am considering purchasing a 2004 A4 1.8T. The car is in excellent shape inside and out with BBS wheels, but the turbo is blown and the car has 112k on it.
The seller is offering the car at $6k which seems fair to me with the turbo being blown. I would want to either rebuild the turbo or replace it with a stock K03. My budget for repairs would be about $500.
For you experienced A4 owners, does this sound like a good deal and can I realistically find a rebuild kit and rebuild the turbo myself for about $500 or less? Anything else I should watch out for?
Thanks in advance and sorry about the noob question.
The seller is offering the car at $6k which seems fair to me with the turbo being blown. I would want to either rebuild the turbo or replace it with a stock K03. My budget for repairs would be about $500.
For you experienced A4 owners, does this sound like a good deal and can I realistically find a rebuild kit and rebuild the turbo myself for about $500 or less? Anything else I should watch out for?
Thanks in advance and sorry about the noob question.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 100
From: Fallbrook, CA
A turbocharger with such a bad bearing that it dumps oil into the exhaust, plus a bad wastegate valve, is probably beyond rebuilding. The compressor wheel and/or turbine are also likely shot. Brand new turbos are available starting in the $100 range if you don't mind the risk that they won't last as long as OE. I put one on a Passat 1.8T which my son owned, crossed fingers and it worked nicely.
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 16
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A turbocharger with such a bad bearing that it dumps oil into the exhaust, plus a bad wastegate valve, is probably beyond rebuilding. The compressor wheel and/or turbine are also likely shot. Brand new turbos are available starting in the $100 range if you don't mind the risk that they won't last as long as OE. I put one on a Passat 1.8T which my son owned, crossed fingers and it worked nicely.
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