Turbo shot??? Stuck in France!

Hi all,

Merrily chugging through France yesterday when I noticed a loud rattling coming from the engine and power seemed a little down, fuel consumption also up. Stopped at side, revved the engine and suddenly got a massive cloud of white smoke. Temp was normal, no lights on dash.

Engine now producing dark grey smoke and real rattle from turbo. Got towed off and waiting for breakdown company to sort.

Turbo let go? I can't think of anything else it could be.

I can see this costing me an arm and a leg, unless someone knows a really good independent Landy mechanic near Millau in France!? Supposed to be in Spain this morning to collect family.....

Mart8V said:

Hi all,

Merrily chugging through France yesterday when I noticed a loud rattling coming from the engine and power seemed a little down, fuel consumption also up. Stopped at side, revved the engine and suddenly got a massive cloud of white smoke. Temp was normal, no lights on dash.

Engine now producing dark grey smoke and real rattle from turbo. Got towed off and waiting for breakdown company to sort.

Turbo let go? I can't think of anything else it could be.

I can see this costing me an arm and a leg, unless someone knows a really good independent Landy mechanic near Millau in France!? Supposed to be in Spain this morning to collect family.....

Click to expand...

How are you at working on your car? I only ask as fitting a replacement turbo - if indeed that is the problem - is a straightforward job. Getting hold of one local to Millau however is likely to be another matter.

Have you considered buying parts from UK and having them flown/couriered down.

Here is Paddocks international number: 0044 1629 760877

Good luck to you,

Dave

Thanks, Dave. I had just had the same thought re Paddocks!

I am handy enough with the spanner set but my family fly in to northern Spain this morning, hence my hurry to be on the move. Problem is that the Assistance company are handling this now so I am at their call. I am tempted to get paddocks to send the part to the garage direct where the car is so I don't get fleeced by the local LR dealer....

After some other thread reads it seems it is the turbo.....

This sounds like a job for......................LZIR!!!


tombankes is not far from you and may know of somewhere.....hang on

Pm on way...

Mart8V said:

Thanks, Dave. I had just had the same thought re Paddocks!

I am handy enough with the spanner set but my family fly in to northern Spain this morning, hence my hurry to be on the move. Problem is that the Assistance company are handling this now so I am at their call. I am tempted to get paddocks to send the part to the garage direct where the car is so I don't get fleeced by the local LR dealer....

After some other thread reads it seems it is the turbo.....

Click to expand...

Have you got any tools with you? How far are you from the vehicle?

Socket set in car. Just spoke to Paddocks who can get me a part tomorrow or Wed. Also have the Haynes in the car.... Car is only 15 mins walk away. Only worry would be shearing a bolt or equivalent....

Thanks for the PM with number, need to get some news on hire cars before I start making other plans.

Really appreciate everyone's quick input! About to book a hotel for wife and daughter.....

Please call Tom straight away. He is expecting to call, but has intermittent phone reception. Cannot get on interweb.

This is a quote from somewhere, can't remember, but as I travel through France I kept it. Don't know if its near or not?

"Hi, just been reading a couple of threads regarding poor LR service from garages in France.

I use a guy called Christian Roche in the Montbrison/ Boen area. Department 42130.

Its a small garage, he used to enter Defenders in the Paris Dakar. He is cheap and will get you going. He can deal with most 4x4's Tractors or any Machines Agricoles

He does all my repairs on my Defender.

0477242625 He speaks a little English. He is the sort of guy that if he can't get a part he can machine one up for you."

Hope it helps and you get sorted... Leave myself on Friday.

charlesteton said:

This is a quote from somewhere, can't remember, but as I travel through France I kept it. Don't know if its near or not?

"Hi, just been reading a couple of threads regarding poor LR service from garages in France.

I use a guy called Christian Roche in the Montbrison/ Boen area. Department 42130.

Its a small garage, he used to enter Defenders in the Paris Dakar. He is cheap and will get you going. He can deal with most 4x4's Tractors or any Machines Agricoles

He does all my repairs on my Defender.

0477242625 He speaks a little English. He is the sort of guy that if he can't get a part he can machine one up for you."

Hope it helps and you get sorted... Leave myself on Friday.

Click to expand...

This guy is only an hour from me. I will get in touch with him if I can't get anyone locally to sort it. Great spot, many thanks!!!

Mart8V said:

This guy is only an hour from me. I will get in touch with him if I can't get anyone locally to sort it. Great spot, many thanks!!!

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No problems... Glad I could help... Let us know how you get on.

Christian Roche is booked until end of month. Bugger!

Looks as though I will be doing the work myself. Why did I bring the Disco and not wife's Leon?!

Mart8V said:

Christian Roche is booked until end of month. Bugger!

Looks as though I will be doing the work myself. Why did I bring the Disco and not wife's Leon?!

Click to expand...

You'll be fine mate, go have a beer and chill, then make SURE it's the turbo itself and not a hose off or anything silly like that - before you order any parts.


Good luck

Dave

thebiglad said:

You'll be fine mate, go have a beer and chill, then make SURE it's the turbo itself and not a hose off or anything silly like that - before you order any parts.


Good luck

Dave

Click to expand...

Did the beer thing last night! Rattle coming from the turbo is immense so doubt it is the hose.

Fortunately insurance is paying for my hotel for three nights.

The Mad Hat Man said:

Please call Tom straight away. He is expecting to call, but has intermittent phone reception. Cannot get on interweb.

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Spoke to Tom this morning. Really nice guy but too far away to help, sadly. Thanks for the tip, and thanks, Tom!

Right.....

Turbo ordered and Paddocks are sending via UPS (thanks, Paddocks!) so will get the old one off today at some point. Hopefully on way by tomorrow evening to salvage what is left of my family's holiday.

Thanks for all the help on this.

I'm about 4/5 hrs from Millau - right in between Ambert and Montbrison...

There are two good land rover garages around these parts but I think you probably have it sorted by now?

Newmans 4x4 are a father and son set up near Annonay 0475 67 27 02 both english speaking and with much cheaper parts than the dealers.

J.P. land are in Craponne 0471 03 70 90 also specialise in Land Rover.

Good luck!

Harold 4x4 said:

I'm about 4/5 hrs from Millau - right in between Ambert and Montbrison...

There are two good land rover garages around these parts but I think you probably have it sorted by now?

Newmans 4x4 are a father and son set up near Annonay 0475 67 27 02 both english speaking and with much cheaper parts than the dealers.

J.P. land are in Craponne 0471 03 70 90 also specialise in Land Rover.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Thanks... Added them to my list, just in case...

When's the turbo due to arrive?

Turbo coming with UPS tomorrow, apparently.

Have taken off all pipe work and soaked the nuts in WD as they appear to be welded on! Had a good look inside and the impeller appears to have some damaged vanes. No wonder the thing was rattling like hell. Also loads of play in the shaft......

Will pop back to garage this evening to try again to get the nuts off and remove the old unit. Other problem is that the bolt securing the heat shield to the turbo has been rounded off by some helpful individual so may end up popping the bracket off and having to rely on the two mounted on the head at least until I get home. At least being ally it bends to give access!

Thank God I had my socket set in the car and there is a good hard wear shop near the garage for a new set of ring spanners.