Turbo replaced, now engine smokes

Turbo went out on my 2010 Jetta TDI. Had it replaced by my regular mechanic.
The car runs fine but I immediately noticed burnt diesel fumes in the cab and my kids with better hearing say they hear an exhaust leak. I occasionally see a small puff of white smoke coming from the passenger side of the engine, but during the first regen cycle since the turbo replacement it was puking large amounts of burnt diesel smoke (white) from the same area. I took it back to my mechanic and the shop owner and the mechanic that worked on it said they did smell and hear a slight leak (no puking) but that it’s probably the EGR connection and they would have to charge me 5 hours of labor if when they disassemble the necessary parts to investigate they discover that it’s not their fault. I’m currently in a quandary and am asking for educated opinions/ideas. Thanks for any help you guys can offer.

If it wasn't doing it before they replaced the turbo, chances are pretty good that they pooched something.

1854sailor said:

If it wasn't doing it before they replaced the turbo, chances are pretty good that they pooched something.

Click to expand...

Pretty much what I'm thinking. Trying to be fair about it though. If there's a chance that something else could be the problem, I don't want to be hammering my mechanic. He's always treated me fair. Can't live with the car the way it is though. Thanks.

when driving and a stop at traffic light then when youre speed up you have a blue puff of smoke in the back ? so yes its a leaking turbine seal.

I had that with one turbo with broken oil turbine seal every time at idle it drips oil in exhaust when take off it give a blue smoke.

Oil residue in the exhaust from the original blown turbo?

If the old one blew the exhaust will be full of oil for maybe 15mins of hard driving!

You get some funny looks when going down the road ignoring all the people trying to tell you that the car has a problem! haha

Thanks for your responses. The smoke is not coming from the tail pipe. It's coming from an apparent leak under the hood, and is barely noticeable during normal operation (except for the odor), but during regen it was unbearable. Is there any way to induce regen so I can reproduce the problem for my mechanic?

Was hoping someone would have an idea of where a logical leak (fumes into cabin) would be after a turbo install. Tired of my stinky car.

There are multiple points that they could have messed up.

Might be a broken egr pipe , pretty common for them to break.

VDUB TECH said:

Might be a broken egr pipe , pretty common for them to break.

Click to expand...

This is what I'm looking for VDUB TECH. So is it fair to blame the mechanic or is it just something they should have caught when they were replacing the turbo? Or, is it impossible to know? I'm trying to be fair. Thanks for the opinion.

petger said:

This is what I'm looking for VDUB TECH. So is it fair to blame the mechanic or is it just something they should have caught when they were replacing the turbo? Or, is it impossible to know? I'm trying to be fair. Thanks for the opinion.

Click to expand...

It really comes down to your needing to get it resolved. You're trying to estimate how the shop will react before engaging in any discussion with them, which would suggest that you might not have confidence in them. If you don't have confidence in them then you might consider finding someone else at this point. But, it's really not fair to anyone that can make a mistake and IS willing to rectify their mistake (w/o cost). Perhaps approach them with exactly what you know, and without accusations; see what their reaction is. Might solicit worst-case scenario, the costs: here is where info from the TDI community can help, give you ideas on what is most likely the cause.

I'd attempt to look for the leak (should be signs, if the sound itself doesn't give its position away). If you can tell folks here where you found it then people here can probably tell you whether this is caused by the repair work or whether it's coincidental.

petger said:

Was hoping someone would have an idea of where a logical leak (fumes into cabin) would be after a turbo install. Tired of my stinky car.

Click to expand...

Start with where the downpipe connects with the turbo. Then check the manifold. I would then check the EGR and other emissions devices.

I value the input I get from this forum. I have been in constant contact with the shop. I'm taking it back when I have a chance next week. I live 30 miles away and am moving households, so it's no easy deal. The agreement is that they will take it apart and look for the leak. If it's related to the turbo install it's on them, but if it's something else it's on me. I will post the result. Thanks again all of you.

I am too currently having a similar problem. I actually did the turbo myself and have all ready tightened the clamp from the turbo to the down/dpf and it seemed to not want to get too tight. I did not change this when i did the swap. i have ordered a new one and just waiting for it to change. i truly hope the manifold has nothing to do with it because i can not stress how much of a pain this was... next time removing the motor will be a ton easier.

andrew

FYI - Finally had a chance to get my car back to my mechanics. Problem identified as leaky exhaust manifold gasket. It is back in the shop getting a new one.

Did the leaky exhaust manifold gasket fix the issue??

Pesky problem diagnosed and fixed. It was the exhaust manifold gasket. Good to have my car back and fully operational. Rented a Mitsubishi Mirage for a few days as a replacement....NEVER AGAIN!