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Are turbo bolts 1 time use?
by
RunninWild
on 13 Nov, 2015 17:42
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My 4 bolts that hold the turbo to the manifold have fallen out after maybe 50km. Are these 1 time use? I didn't torque them but I did make them tight. I'm confused why they Are falling out? Can I use locktight? Or would that break down from the heat?
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#1
by
libbydiesel
on 13 Nov, 2015 20:32
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They are not single use bolts, but they are very special bolts. VW wants $15 apiece for them. Despite their appearance, I believe they are stainless. They are not magnetic. I have never used loctite on them. I use nickel anti-seize on them and torque them to spec (the spec is 33 ft-lbs IIRC). I have never had one loosen on me.
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#2
by
RunninWild
on 13 Nov, 2015 20:37
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Weird all 4 have came out and my turbo is just sitting on the manifold now. I think I got a few spare bolts sitting around cuz $15 is crazy! I didn't use a torque wrench but definitely put more then 33lbs on them. Its odd they came out so easily so fast. For now long they were on there youd think I had them finger tight.
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#3
by
jmaddocks
on 15 Nov, 2015 05:40
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#4
by
TylerDurden
on 15 Nov, 2015 07:57
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Hi-temp permatex gasket sealer will probably keep em from vibrating out. I use it on exhaust pipes to keep the slip joints from rusting together.
The real question is what's happening... excess vibration, sloppy threads, or...?
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#5
by
Dakotakid
on 15 Nov, 2015 09:38
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....or, uneven mating surfaces.
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#6
by
libbydiesel
on 15 Nov, 2015 10:58
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...improper torque. It's hard to get to 33 ft-lbs with a 3/8" ratchet.
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#7
by
Blaizefed
on 20 Nov, 2015 10:30
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Those $15 bolts cost so much for a reason. They are a special alloy designed to cope with the turbo and the exhaust manifold moving around as they expand and contract from heat. It's worth at least trying to get a 2nd hand set of them.
Not to say it's a must, I got away with using 8 mm nuts and bolts on an Aaz a few years ago as it was all I had to hand and then forgot about it till after I had sold the car. But if your not in a massive rush, at least snoop around for a set of the real ones. They cost that much for a reason.
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#8
by
RunninWild
on 20 Nov, 2015 11:27
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I found 4 old ones I had in my bolt pile. Gonna swap the head this weekend and I will torque them properly
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#9
by
burn_your_money
on 20 Nov, 2015 12:03
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Make sure you have the downpipe/turbo properly braced to the block. If it's not braced it's not surprising that they rattled loose.