Exhaust Manifold & Turbocharger.



Can these be removed with the engine in the car & on a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult? I have an exhaust leak in this area.



1988 13BT TII.

 

I can say with some authority that the turbo will come off with the engine in the car, as I have had mine off twice now. Granted, with the stock precat and the ABS pump, it's a royal bitch on the PITA scale. Now that the ABS is gone, and I have a downpipe, its really not bad.



The manifold, I believe, will also come off, but I haven't done it yet, so I can't say for sure. Once the turbo is out, access to that area seems quite good.

 

I just pulled the turbo/manifold and downpipe off all in one shot. I just unbolted the downpipe and the exhaust manifold from the engine. Pulled it out, foward and up.

 

thats prolly easier. the rear upper turbo -> manifold nut is a pain to get to in the car

 

I've pulled the turbo so many times I can have it off in probably 20 minutes. Having no emissions is a huge help.

 

Interesting...I never thought of doing it that way.

 

I pulled my turbo 4 times in two days last week due to an exhaust leak. If you do not have an air pump, ACV , or ABS in the way, you can remove your turbo and manifold in 20 minutes. You can do it with minimal fluid loss. Clamp a large bolt into the lower water line and that will do it.



Good luck

T

 

It takes twice as long the first time. One or two tries and it's a piece of cake.

 

The s4 turbo setup sucks.

 

So you don't really have to drain all your fluids? What about oil?