Supplier for a new turbo ( one for Lighty perhaps ? )

[geoff]

Ok so I'm considering purchasing a 1.6 turbo Berlingo car instead of my faithful and much loved 1.9D van.

Since I would undertake the fitting of a new turbo myself should I ever need to I would like to be confident of being supplied a decent quality part at a decent price and was wondering what the " trade " use, perhaps Lighty would be kind enough to advise which ones he uses.

As an aside can I presume that this is the only Achilles heel of this engine ? If this is the case then I would be prepared to consider the purchase of a vehicle with a blown turbo if mileage etc was good.

By the way I'm quite happy with my 1.9D van but my wife has a desire to impart upon me an air of respectability and have a car version of the Berlingo outside my home instead of a vehicle that a wandering scrap metal collector would use, my van is mechanically sound and cared for but could be described as " well rubbed " !
edit ......I did as a consequence buy it at a considerable premium which of course suited me fine.

[JohnM]

Oil contamination appears to be the cause of most 1.6hdi turbo issues, you need to sort the cause of the oil contamination or you risk eating the new turbo in pretty short order. If you are going for a car version what about the petrol version? You can buy a lot of petrol for the cost of a turbo, or all the other diesel maladies. If you do go for a 1.6hdi then it will feel like a sports car compared with a 1.9D and at least the turbo is easy to reach on the 1,6hdi.

[Lighty]

I think any reputable turbo supplier will be OK, it is the fitting of the turbo & the preventative maintenance that YOU vary out that is crucial.
Personally we steer away from fitting new cores in the turbo ourselves.
We use a great company called midland turbo .
http://www.midlandturbo.com

[geoff]

Thank you Mark your reply is very much appreciated !

I have been hands on in Mech Eng for 40 yrs so should be ok with the fitting etc but yes I would agree that this is indeed CRUCIAL.

[Lighty]

Once we undertake the replacement of a turbo on a 1.6 hdi, we always carry out the following.
First of all check for a good flow through the DPF filter, this is a major reason for turbo failure, so either remove, clean or replace.
Remove the sump, and clean out oil pick up strainer, or replace with new( only about £20).
Clean the sump until like new & refit. Remove the oil feed pipe & remove the filter in the Banjo bolt at the engine block, make sure the pipe is clean and free flowing, including BOTH banjo bolts.
Fit new oil filter & add correct oil, + prime new or returned turbo with oil before starting.
Make sure all injectors are sealed & not blowing.
If all these items are done , you hold have no issues. With the new unit failing.

[CourierJim]

Once we undertake the replacement of a turbo on a 1.6 hdi, we always carry out the following.
First of all check for a good flow through the DPF filter, this is a major reason for turbo failure, so either remove, clean or replace.
Remove the sump, and clean out oil pick up strainer, or replace with new( only about £20).
Clean the sump until like new & refit. Remove the oil feed pipe & remove the filter in the Banjo bolt at the engine block, make sure the pipe is clean and free flowing, including BOTH banjo bolts.
Fit new oil filter & add correct oil, + prime new or returned turbo with oil before starting.
Make sure all injectors are sealed & not blowing.
If all these items are done , you hold have no issues. With the new unit failing.

Good words Lighty. I'd like to add; be careful with the black sump sealant when replacing it, as I found what looked and felt like a big chunk of it, semi-blocking the turbo oil feed pipe on my previous 1.6 van (after I had a refurbed turbo fitted at 170,000 miles). With my latest 1.6 HDi van, since new, I've allowed the engine to idle for 30 seconds or more, before switching off. Hopefully, this will allow the turbo spindle to slow up, whilst oil is still being fed to it, and thus, greatly extend turbo life. I'll let you all know if this latest turbo lasts longer!