Change Car Turbo Audi A3

Change Car Turbo

Very technical 3h30–22h00 ~350–2200£
Estimated time 3h30–22h00
Estimated labour cost ~350–2200£
Difficulty Very technical
Vehicles
A3 I 1997-2003 18
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AGU)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AJQ)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (APP)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AQA)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARX)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARY)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARZ)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AUM)
  • 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AUQ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AGR)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AHF)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ALH)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASV)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASZ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ATD)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AXR)
  • S3 (1.8 20V Turbo) Petrol (AMK)
  • S3 (1.8 20V Turbo) Petrol (BAM)
A3 II 2003-2013 48
  • 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CBZB)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CAXC)
  • 1.6 8V E-Power Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (CMXA)
  • 1.6 8V Petrol (BGU)
  • 1.6 8V Petrol (BSE)
  • 1.6 8V Petrol (CCSA)
  • 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BAG)
  • 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BLF)
  • 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BLP)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYC)
  • 1.8 TFSI Petrol (BYT)
  • 1.8 TFSI Petrol (BZB)
  • 1.8 TFSI Petrol (CDAA)
  • 1.9 TDI 8V Diesel (BKC)
  • 1.9 TDI 8V Diesel (BXE)
  • 1.9 TDI 8V DPF Diesel (BLS)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (AXW)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (BLR)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (BLX)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (BLY)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (BMB)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (BVY)
  • 2.0 FSi 16V Petrol (BVZ)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V Diesel (AZV)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V Diesel (BKD)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V DPF Diesel (BMN)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V DPF Diesel (BUY)
  • 2.0 TDI 8V DPF Diesel (BMM)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBAA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBAB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBBB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFFA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFFB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFGB)
  • 2.0 TFSI Petrol (AXX)
  • 2.0 TFSI Petrol (BPY)
  • 2.0 TFSI Petrol (BWA)
  • 2.0 TFSI Petrol (CAWB)
  • 2.0 TFSI Petrol (CCZA)
  • 3.2 VR6 Petrol (BDB)
  • 3.2 VR6 Petrol (BMJ)
  • 3.2 VR6 Petrol (BUB)
  • RS3 (2.5 TFSI) Petrol (CEPA)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (BHZ)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (BZC)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CDLA)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CDLC)
A3 III 2013-2020 52
  • 1.0 TFSI Petrol (CHZD)
  • 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CJZA)
  • 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CYVB)
  • 1.4 TFSI CNG CNG,Petrol (CPWA)
  • 1.4 TFSI e-tron Electricity,Petrol (CUKB+EAHA)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CMBA)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CPTA)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CXSA)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CXSB)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CZCA)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CZCC)
  • 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CZEA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CRKB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CXXB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DBKA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DDYA)
  • 1.8 TFSI Petrol (CJSA)
  • 1.8 TFSI Petrol (CJSB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRFC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRUA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CUNA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DBGA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DCYA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DEJA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DEJB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DGCA)
  • 30 g-tron CNG (DHFA)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DGTE)
  • 30 TFSI Petrol (DKRF)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DFGA)
  • 35 TFSI Petrol (DADA)
  • 35 TFSI Petrol (DPCA)
  • 40 e-tron Electricity,Petrol (DGEA+EAHA)
  • 40 TDI Diesel (DJGA)
  • 40 TFSI Petrol (CZPB)
  • 40 TFSI Petrol (DKZA)
  • RS3 (2.5 TFSI) Petrol (CZGB)
  • RS3 (2.5 TFSI) Petrol (DAZA)
  • RS3 (2.5 TFSI) Petrol (DNWA)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CJXB)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CJXC)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CJXD)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CJXF)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (CJXG)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (DJHA)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (DJHB)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (DNUE)
A3 IV 2020-2025 16
  • 30 eTFSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DLAA)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DSUD)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DTRB)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DTRD)
  • 35 eTFSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DFYA)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DSRB)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DTSA)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DTSB)
  • 35 TFSI Petrol (DPCA)
  • 40 TDI Diesel (DTUA)
  • 40 TFSI e Electricity,Petrol (DGEA+EANA)
  • 40 TFSI Petrol (DNNA)
  • 45 TFSI e Electricity,Petrol (DGEA+EANA)
  • RS3 (2.5 TFSI) Petrol (DNWC)
  • RS3 (2.5 TFSI) Petrol (DNWD)
  • S3 (2.0 TFSI) Petrol (DNFB)
Renew the turbocharger Without diesel particulate filter 7h00
Renew the turbocharger With diesel particulate filter 10h00
Renew the turbocharger 9h00–15h00
Renew the turbocharger Front-wheel drive 15h00
Renew the turbocharger 4WD 8h00

What is the role of the Audi A3 turbo?

The turbocharger increases engine power by compressing the intake air, allowing more air (and therefore more fuel) into the combustion chambers. It is driven by exhaust gases spinning a turbine at speeds up to 250,000 rpm. The compressed intake air passes through an intercooler to reduce its temperature before entering the engine.

What are the symptoms of a failing Audi A3 turbo?

Common symptoms include: loss of engine power or boost, excessive exhaust smoke (blue/white for oil burning, black for over-fuelling), whining or whistling noise from the turbo area, engine warning light or turbo fault codes, oil leaks at the turbo housing, increased oil consumption.

What causes Audi A3 turbo failure?

The main causes are: oil starvation (blocked or restricted oil feed lines, low oil level, poor oil quality), foreign object ingestion, excessive exhaust temperature, worn bearings due to high mileage, and contaminated oil. Always investigate and fix the root cause before fitting a replacement turbo.

Can a Audi A3 turbo be reconditioned?

Yes, turbo reconditioning is a common and cost-effective alternative to buying new. A reputable service will disassemble, inspect, replace worn parts, rebalance, and test the unit. Expect to pay 30–60% of the new price.

Is it difficult to change a Audi A3 turbo?

Difficulty level 5/5: very technical. The turbo is connected to both the intake and exhaust systems, requiring numerous disassembly steps. Approximately 5 hours on average for a professional mechanic. Key precautions after fitting: change the engine oil and filter, prime the turbo with oil before starting, allow the turbo to cool down after hard driving by idling for 30 seconds before switching off.

View all compatible products →
View your A3 maintenance plan (keep the A3 token) →

4 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
A3 I 1997-2003 1997-2003 1.6 Petrol (AEH), 1.6 Petrol (AKL), 1.6 Petrol (APF), 1.6 Petrol (AVU), 1.6 Petrol (BFQ), 1.8 20V Petrol (AGN), 1.8 20V Petrol (APG), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AGU), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AJQ), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (APP), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AQA), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARX), 1.8 2… Diesel, Petrol
A3 II 2003-2013 2003-2013 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CBZB), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CAXC), 1.6 8V E-Power Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (CMXA), 1.6 8V Petrol (BGU), 1.6 8V Petrol (BSE), 1.6 8V Petrol (CCSA), 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BAG), 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BLF), 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BLP), 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYB), 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAY… Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, Petrol
A3 III 2013-2020 2013-2020 1.0 TFSI Petrol (CHZD), 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CJZA), 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CYVB), 1.4 TFSI CNG CNG,Petrol (CPWA), 1.4 TFSI e-tron Electricity,Petrol (CUKB+EAHA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CMBA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CPTA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CXSA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CXSB), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CZCA), 1.4 TFS… CNG, Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
A3 IV 2020-2025 2020-2025 30 eTFSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DLAA), 30 TDI Diesel (DSUD), 30 TDI Diesel (DTRB), 30 TDI Diesel (DTRD), 35 eTFSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DFYA), 35 TDI Diesel (DSRB), 35 TDI Diesel (DTSA), 35 TDI Diesel (DTSB), 35 TFSI Petrol (DPCA), 40 TDI Diesel (DTUA), 40 TFSI e Electricity,Petrol (DG… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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View the service schedule for your A3 →