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Possible blown turbo?

Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 AUDI S8
  • 4.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
Hi. I brought my vehicle (listed above) in for a check engine light (the
car is still working perfectly fine). The dealer did a diagnose and multi-point
check, found everything okay, but 1 fault N509. So they replaced the valve
(4H0-121-671-D) and coolant (G-A13-774-1G-DSP) for $718.00. After driving
home, I check and found only half of the coolant left in the tank. 1 hour later,
the coolant tank is empty. There's no visible leak anywhere (must be internal
coolant leak). Next morning, the dealer towed my car back, check everything
okay, but there's air pocket in the engine (that's what they said). So they bleed it
out and refill the coolant. I drove home and the engine sounded louder than
usual. Next day while driving, I heard weird engine sounds like water running
and bubbling, then the engine stalled and shut off (the coolant level is okay,
battery and gas is full, no warning light). I tried to restart but it did not work,
so I have to tow the car home (since the dealer is closed by that time). Next
morning, the car can start but made rattling sound, so I have it towed back to
the dealer. They checked and said the turbo were blown and asked me
$10,000.00 to fix it. They said the problem had nothing to do with their repair.
My car never had a single mechanic problem in 5 years and it has been
serviced timely all the time. Could anyone tell me what the dealer might do
wrong to blow my car turbo or it just happened ? Thanks a lot.
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Saturday, June 26th, 2021 AT 6:56 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I believe the valve they replaced was the heater control valve. Basically, it diverts coolant to the vehicle's heater core allowing heat to enter the cabin.

That problem really has nothing to do with the turbo. However, what I feel may have caused the problem was a lack of coolant. If there was an air blockage preventing coolant from reaching the turbo, it may have caused damage.

If you look at pic 1, I highlighted a coolant line to one of the turbos. In pic 2, I highlighted the numbers identifying both coolant supply lines to the turbos.

Please understand that I can't guarantee this is the cause, but if it was low on coolant and not properly bled, it certainly could have caused an issue with overheating the turbos and causing damage.

Let me know if you have other questions or if I can help.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, June 26th, 2021 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you very much for your reply. As I understand from your explain, when they replaced the valve and did the coolant service, they caused the air pocket (or lack of coolant). Then when they tried to bled it out improperly, this damaged the turbo due to overheating.
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 5:08 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I can't guarantee it, but if there was no coolant flow to the turbos, yes, it would cause damage. They indicated an air pocket in the cooling system and bled the system. An air pocket can prevent coolant from circulating.

Since there wasn't a problem prior, this is what I suspect caused the problem.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Could you tell me what caused the air pocket in this situation? Is it that they did not install the valve correctly or did not put in enough coolant in the first place? Thanks a lot.
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
There is a procedure that needs to be completed if large amounts of coolant are lost. Take a look through the attachments below. They explain what needs to be done.

If there wasn't a coolant supply to the coolant-cooled turbo bearings, they would have been damaged.

When you open a cooling system, air enters it. When refilling the system, air can sometimes get trapped. That air can slow or prevent coolant flow. Oftentimes, it affects the heater. In this case, I feel it starved the turbos.

That is my theory at this point. Take a look through the procedure below and see if that was done.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
That’s very kind of you answering my concerns. I wish I could have you look at my car now, I live in Long Island NY. Thanks a lot Joe.
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 11:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

That's a little far. I'm near Pittsburgh. Let me know how you make out or if there is anything I can do to help you.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, June 28th, 2021 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The car is still at Audi of Smithtown NY. The dealer don’t want to take responsibility, they want me to bring in my mechanic to examine the problem. I love to pay you to come and check on my car Joe ASAP. Is it possible with you, Joe? If possible, please. Thanks a lot.
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Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 AT 5:03 AM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
By the way, my name is Long.
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Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 AT 5:06 AM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi Joe. Before, the dealer denied their service related to the turbo problem, they said the turbo just blew due to age. But when I confronted them with your explanation, they said it’s possible the case. But now they said it might be that some oil screen that did not supply enough oil to the turbo. This is never mentioned before and they did my oil change 3 months ago. When they run the engine light check before they serviced my car, everything is fine but 1 faulty code N509. Look like they’re trying covering up their mistake !
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Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 AT 5:48 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

The turbo is cooled by both, coolant and oil. However, it is a bit hard to believe that since there was an "air blockage" in the cooling system after repairs that the oil would be the cause. I agree with you. That's a bit hard for me to believe.

Focus on what led to the problem with them. There were no engine problems, noises, or codes until they did their repair and didn't properly bleed the cooling system (which they admitted). The result is the damaged turbos from overheating.

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I’m going to file complaint and take legal action against this dealer. Thanks a lot for your help Joe.
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Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
LYPHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
My lawyer said I need to bring the car to a licensed mechanic to verify the damage that they might cause to my car before we sue them. Now i’m looking for good mechanic about Audi car and give you update Joe. Wish you’re here !
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Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I wish you luck. Let me know what you find out or if you have other questions.

You know, I'm surprised they aren't willing to do it for parts only and not charge labor. Or at least do something to assist considering what happened.

Regardless, take care of yourself.

Joe
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Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 AT 9:11 PM

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