L322 3.6L TDV8 - Both Turbo's Need Replacing

Hi guys,

Been reading many posts on this forum since I bought my 2007 Vogue 3.6 TDV8 a couple of years ago. This is my first post here as I really need help from members on this forum!

The problem: I was driving the car normally, with no warning lights on the dashboard. I put my foot down and accelerated from 30mph to 50mph. Upon doing this, the car engine stopped and the car coasted to a standstill. The car would then start for a second or two, and then immediately turn itself off. At the present moment the key turns in the ignition but the engine won't start.

The diagnosis: I took the car to a local garage who told me it was an ECU or electrical issue, and they didn't deal with electronic side of things. So I took it to a specialist near me who told me the left turbo was seized and it would need replacing. He did a compression test and said the engine was fine.

I then took it to another, more well-known specialist who told me that the left turbo has seized and the right turbo is full of oil and will need replacing. They also said the intercooler was full of oil. They have quoted me £3,600 for two new turbos with fitting. However, they cannot 'guarantee' the car will be fixed, although they did say 'logically' it should.

My fear is that unless someone can guarantee that replacing both turbos will fix the car, I don't want to spend £3,600 on it. There's a chance I get the turbos fitted and it doesn't solve the problem, which means I'll end up losing quite a bit of money. My previous 3.0 V6 Vogue had a turbo problem but still drove (With less power). I'm not sure why the engine isn't starting.

I would be very grateful for any advice from you guys. I want to get the car fixed, but I feel like at this rate it will have to be scrapped.

Many thanks!

If the specialist has not done it already, it needs to go on diagnostics.

Datatek said:

If the specialist has not done it already, it needs to go on diagnostics.

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Hi mate, thanks for the reply. I've had 3 different garages tell me there's nothing untoward showing up on the diagnostics. I'm quite baffled myself as surely 2 dead turbos should show up?

Would have thought it would at least show low boost, and yes intercooler could be full of oil from blown turbo.

kds said:

Would have thought it would at least show low boost, and yes intercooler could be full of oil from blown turbo.

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+1^^^^

The intercooler could also be full of oil from the breather system, which also vents into the intake.
Was there any smoke before it stopped?
Sounds like better diagnosis is needed before spending £3k+ on repairs that "should" fix it.

The other question is why has one turbo seized and the other full of oil, i cant remember which engine it is that the turbos go because the oil pump is failing and putting new turbos one with out sorting the pump results in another pair of new turbos and repeat

brianp38dse said:

The other question is why has one turbo seized and the other full of oil, i cant remember which engine it is that the turbos go because the oil pump is failing and putting new turbos one with out sorting the pump results in another pair of new turbos and repeat

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all engines if oil pump is failing

last time i had an intercooler full of oil i had a runaway?

Nodge68 said:

The intercooler could also be full of oil from the breather system, which also vents into the intake.
Was there any smoke before it stopped?
Sounds like better diagnosis is needed before spending £3k+ on repairs that "should" fix it.

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Thanks for the reply mate. Just been on the phone to them and they say the left turbo has seized, while the right turbo seals have gone and it's full of oil. Both turbos need replacing. I asked them if they've done an oil pressure test as I don't want to fit two new turbos only for the oil pressure system to be fudged anyway. They say they want the new turbos on the car before they do an oil test? Seems catch-22 to me.

There wasn't any significant smoke when the car died. Light misting I'd say.
I've had a blown turbo on my previous 3.0 TDV6 Vogue and there was enough smoke to get the neighbours out the house thinking there's a fire!

On a separate note, they said they will only use brand new BorgWarner turbo's and not anything supplied by myself, or even aftermarket/refurbed. Given my car's worth about £6000, I don't think spending £2500 on two new turbos + £1500 on labour (Including initial diagnostics) is the way to go, especially if there's no 100% guarantee it'll fix the issue.

What do you guys think?

StockportV8 said:

On a separate note, they said they will only use brand new BorgWarner turbo's and not anything supplied by myself, or even aftermarket/refurbed. Given my car's worth about £6000, I don't think spending £2500 on two new turbos + £1500 on labour (Including initial diagnostics) is the way to go, especially if there's no 100% guarantee it'll fix the issue.

What do you guys think?

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Find another garage.

would have thought it would start even with faulty turbos just run badly

Believe the primary cause is turbo oil supply pipes, not sure whether they collapse or poor maintenance causes them to coke up...either way most turbo suppliers insist on proof of new oil supply pipes being fitted.

I can understand your garage's demands, I bought a cheapy so called re-man turbo form some crew in Yorkshire and it was depressingly poorly re-done, lots of play and a bit of whine when up to spool, but I was over a barrel time wise.

Good on them for demanding a top notch supplier.