[Engine] Turbo fault

[Chilly Slang]

I have a 63 reg Berlingo Multispace XTR HDI with the 1560 diesel. It has 40,000 miles. Lately it has been intermittently displaying an engine fault light. When the fault light is on, the engine is a little down on power. When the light is not on, there is a strong surge in power as the engine revs past 1500 or so. When the light comes on, the surge is not there but the engine still has good power, but just reduced. The light and the turbo fault come and go. My local garage has twice sprayed turbo cleaner in and that eliminates the problem for a while. They tell me that if the problems persists, an expensive turbo repair will be required. I wonder if the problem is just whatever device actuates the variable vanes in the turbo. Has anyone had a similar problem and if so, what was the solution?

[Sol]

I invented the Mr Muscle VNT turbo vane clean technique (EvilScotsman on the AudiSport forums) so I'd be dubious about what this garage is telling you. The turbo needs soaked in Sodium Hydroxide if you actually have a VNT turbo, and then blown clear. The likely fault is "boost higher than commanded" if it's genuine.

Inject Mr Muscle foaming oven cleaner / barbecue cleaner into the hot wheel end, leave for one hour and then fire up and drive. It will clear itself. No new turbo required. But, you may have to inject the foam in via the EGR tube.