Mr Muscle Audi A3 Tdi Turbo Clean - cheap fix 

Tried this yesterday on 1998 A3 Tdi and results have been great. Couldn't remove EGR completely but still got the pipe down deep and it has worked. Huge difference in performance and I can now hear the turbo spinning up again. Worth trying. Cheers for the video. Used B&M Dr Clean

Thank you, like a new car again. Just finished 40 minute run, slowly for first 5 mins then onto motorway. After about 20mins it stopped smoking completely.Really never would have thought £3 oven cleaner would do the trick. Saved £250 on a new turbo.

What a great video and thanks for sharing. I did this procedure on my VW Golf AHF engine and it freed the turbo up nicely, restoring the low power issue I was getting under 2000RPM. I had a sticky spot in the actuator but after about an hour of treatment with moving it about occasionally, the sticking actuator began to operate smoothly. It's now super smooth and the car is running great again.

Well done! Absolutely helpful staff. Just done it on my Ford Focus 2007 diesel. Instead of replacing the turbo for $1500-2000.this helped to restore my turbo to a new condition. Absolutely the best money I’ve saved!

I did this today, worked pretty well. In addition, while the intake manifold was off, I cleaned it with oven cleaner as well. My personal recommendation is buy the cheap stuff next to that yellow bottle. For this application, the yellow bottle will not take a wd-40 nozzle and therefore no red straw. Between, the EGR delete, manifold cleaning, and exhaust side cleaning, no more limp mode, now only EGR High flow codes...I need a tune.

After two weeks, still perfect Golf 4 tdi

Tried this on my A6 AWX, saved me a lot of work removing and cleaning the turbo. Now car is more responsive,goes more smooth and no sticking. Thanks

Thanks mate you saved me 1200£ in a new turbo. It really works!

Nice vid. One point for people to bear in mind, and this is from personal experience, if your turbo is the original, or mileage is high, be aware of over revving as you might well blow the oil seals on the turbo shaft, and then you´ve got one big job in front of you!! If you´re seeing blue smoke on start up etc. then your turbo seals are probably on the way out.

Its work!!! My actuator was hard to move.. but after using the oven cleaner its moved much more freely and after starting up the car didnt go to limp mode!! Thanks for this amazing trick!

I did this on my pd150 Golf and it has changed my car it runs a load better the VNT was gritty as described in the begining and by an hour it was smooth I worked the VNT every 10 mins, I shall be doing this again when my car needs it thanks

Thank You very much for this, now my turbo have very good condition! :)

I did this on my 1.9 ALH and it worked great , the actuator was stuck in one position and now it works freely , I didn’t find Mr muscle oven cleaner but I used a similar product that had sodium hydroxide . Be careful when removing the two bolts they might break . Thanks for the video .

This method works ! I have a mk1 Leon 1.9tdi that was over boosting. I have a turbo boost gauge fitted to my car, which showed that my boost levels were approximately 0.5 bar higher than what they should when under load . I used Mr muscle in the same manner as the video and the cars boost levels are back to normal. When I pressed the actuator rod in I thought it was OK before I put Mr muscle through the hot side of the turbo. But after 20 mins of it been in there , it felt much better . one thing to remember is that the aluminum oil feed hose is right next to where the egr outlet post is on the turbo casting, I used a rag to cover it up as Mr muscle is quite nasty stuff. Thanks for the video in the first place, a great guide for people to see.

Hi This method definitely works have just done on my A4 B7. what garages quoted me that I need a new turbo at the cost of £700.... Thanks to the guy who thought of this

I used your procedure on a 2000 TDI Beetle. I ended up using Easy Off Oven Cleaner w Lye. I had a CEL that gave me a P1557 code, over boost caused by the vanes being stuck open. I used your the more the better technique. Cost was $4 U.S. Thanks, Dave.

Cheers for the video! Giving this a go on my A4 b6 hoping it works as well for me as you 😀

Absolutely brilliant video, thanks for taking the time to make this!

Thanks for the video. I did this last Saturday with my 2005 Mk 5 Golf 2.0 TDI 4 motion. It has been going into "limp mode" for several years when accelerating uphill or other random times. VW garage did diagnostic and told me I needed a new turbo and wanted 1700 Euro for the job. I figured I would try this first. I do have an EGR so I had to remove the EGR cooler and the plastic intake ducting. (5mm, 6mm allen, and T30 torx) It took about 2 hours to get everything off. ( I went slow and cautious, could do it again all under 1.5 hours) Used entire can of oven Super U brand oven cleaner (I live in France) It never foamed up out of the hole but fumes poured out. I worked the lever and yes it did get a bit more movement and easier after a few jiggles. Buttoned it all back together and YES! no more limp mode !!! Horse on it up to 4500 RPM and all good. POWER is back. Thanks CarAnd Mechanical. Great video.

Great video. Really useful.

Thanks for this pal,I am about to try this on my car

tried and tested 100% works cheers

Going to clean the EGR on Sunday Might as well do both at same time

Thanks Mate, will try this on my a4 2001 1.9 TDI 130pd 😉

Going to try this tomorow cheers m8

Great video. Nice one. Got a mk4 PD150...just for future reference.

Doing it right now on my Wife's 03 Jetta, finger crossed. Thanks for the video!

After more than a month it still works good Golf 4 tdi 220 HP -( No cat and block EGR)

Thanks I will try this hopefully I can remove my egr system haven't tried that before. But my limp mode is annoying and no codes

Going to do this tomorrow on my 2006 bmw e90 320d. One thing to remember, If you haven't blanked your egr valve then you need to 1st as the cleaner will get drawn into the inlet manifold through the engine and that wouldn't do it any good imo. My Egr is blanked so I should be fine. I might make s video myself showing my diy delete.

Big diesel fan and user here. To all of you, simpler solution. Get engine hot, prepare deionised water in spray, open hose after MAF, right before side cold of turbo, get engine to 2500 RPM and spray water, slowly. It clean shit out of it exhaust valves and turbocharger.

Great reviews so far! What other components will I need to disconnect? I believe that going in through the "hot" side, I most likely will have to remove the EGR valve on top...will I need to remove the EGR cooler? Wondering if I will need to get additional coolant? This weekend I was on a trip and 30 mins from home (thankfully) I had to turn back home and use our other vehicle because limp mode would not allow me to go more than 30mph up the hill!! UGH!!

The variable geometry of my Seat car was gripped and it was hard to move the lever that moves the blades of the variable geometry. I have used this method and the problem has completely disappeared, the lever now moves smoothly and I have not had to disassemble the entire turbo, which is several hours of work. The method is very effective now just waiting for it to be durable. but that the disassembly and assembly of this method is very simple and counting that I have to remove the egr, that I have it functional, it takes 10 or 15 min more time to let Mr Muscle act. In 1 hour it is finished. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

EGR valves & VNT systems can be troublesome in most cars that have them, so I'm glad my car doesn't have either. The downside of that is that I have no way of accessing the 'hot' side of the turbo (the turbine), but I run my Saab on super unleaded and it gets an "Italian tune" pretty much every time I drive it lol. ❗❗❗❗ DO NOT use this stuff on the 'cold' side (compressor) which is almost entirely made of zinc & aluminium castings❗❗❗❗ Use Wynns turbo cleaner - I've done a video to show you how. Good information, chap.

Wonderfulll, thanks for the ideea. I will try.it

Great ideas

It works perfect on my golf 4 tdi with blocked egr. thanks

Thanks mate, i've subbed

I left mine over night and the turbo worked fine the next day.

Good video thanks

I have a Audi a4 2.0 tdi I will definitely give this a go my Turbo is on the left hand side but hope this will really help think my vanes are sticky I have a EGR delete. And blanked off would I need to unplug the dpf and spray it into the turbo

I am going to have a go at this tomorow.If it workds its fantastic. Will post follow up.

Would this work on a 2009 Mondeo Zetec 2.0l Same symptoms,Going into limp mode on hills and on the motorway, Fault indicator showing Turbo actuator ?

P0234 fault code can be fixable with that way? Mechanic told me my turbo charger should be changed. Should I try this before? My car doesn’t go limp home mode yet, but engine menagement light on.

I gave an A3 jetta TDI with stock EGR. Like yours, mine's dropping to limp mode often due to smudge. Where would you suggest filling with the sodium hydroxide based oven cleaner, so as to clean out the turbo ?

Is there easier access to the hot side of the turbo from under neath, whilst doing an oil change? Great vid, thanks

We have an Audi A3. Turbo is making a sew along noise on acceleration. No loss of power. No smoking.! Been told it could be a dry bearing in the turbo. Would this work for that?

a mechanic mare has vagcom and did full scan on car which showed over boost..ive used wynns/ and archoil cleaner . now mr muscle .soom carbon came out on heavy acceleration in 1st and 2nd . but not as much as others who have used mr muscle .

Did you use up a whole can of this oven foam for this treatment? Can it also be used for EGR cleaning or not?

Thenks realy helo full 👍

Any ideas how to clean a Turbo Petrol on a 1.4 TSI GT? I would purchase a turbo cleaning spray from Ebay, but don't know where I would need to use it within the engine bay?.

You are awesome

im about to do the same on my mk4 golf tdi pd130, I'm worried about putting the tube and spraying into the wrong bit. I'm happy to insert the tubing into the downpipe, just concerned i'll start spraying into the wrong bit. any tips?

Can I do this with a DPF and connected EGR ?

May be worth jamming some rag into the EGR hole to stop the foam coming back out, when i did mine i found i couldn't get much cleaner in with that still open but when that hole was blocked up i got nearly 3/4 of a tin into the exhaust manifold/Turbo which did the trick :) (the Actuator was almost Instantly smoother)

Hiya, I've got a 2004 Skoda Superb1.9TDi which has only done 99,500 miles.The "Emission Workshop" light has appeared on the dash board and I'm told by an Automobile Technician, that it could be the turbo vanes sticking and causing problems. However, I think this method could perk it up a bit. Could you tell me where the Turbo is situated on the Skoda,please? Thanks

I tried to do this but I can't get the lower egr pipe off. I really want to do it badly.

Important to a have an expanding foam to clean everywhere

Hi dude,whats the difference after cleaning the hot side of the turbo with Mr Muscle?some negative effects after cleaning or else.I want to do the same on my Golf 4 Tdi.Also can you tell me because i stopped the egr valve from the computer unit if i put mr muscle into the intake to the hot side of the turbo is there a possibility mr muscule to go into my engine thru EGR and the intake pipe and harm the engine inside?Thank you.Best regards

Would this work from the exhaust/dpf side

I'm in the middle of doing this to my 1996 A4 and there is almost no movement in my actuator, anyone got any suggestions?

Hi Jake, I can't seem to reply or tag you in this but wanted to reply. If the vane cleaning was unsuccessful it may need a follow up, assuming that is the issue, there may be various issues such as the actuator position, fuelling, the equivalent in your car of the N75, vacuum leaks etc... Hopefully you can get to the bottom of the issue, but just in case one option to consider would be an MBC.

Is it safe for catalytic converter to run all the dirt and Mr.Muscle through it?

Hi ,will this method work on a non VNT-Turbo ? I mean ,will my turbo get better anyhow ,even if it's not vnt .

I don't have access to egr, it is too hard to remove. Can the exhaust side of the turbo be accessed through the exhaust Flexi pipe instead. Maybe using a very long silicone pipe!? I'm mostly worried for the foam to go somewhere else (as I've heard it is flammable), or not to melt some sensors. Additionally, is there anything that can be spayed/injected after the MAF that can clean the hot side of the turbo? Some say a dog cleaner should work, but... Doesn't anything get burnt in the engine, then it reaches the turbo's exhaust side?!

what about the residue (from. the mr. muscle)? should i be concerned about the catalytic converter?

Great!!

petrol 1.8t B6 A4 2006. been told that previous owner had "turbo actuator " "cleaned up " any advice on petrol a4 loss of power "

I want to do this on my 3.0 cdti vectra plus EGR. No idea how as can't get a manual for it

Hi i know this was a while ago but im in desperate need cheaped out and bought a second-hand turbo until im in a better position financially but the boost dosnt kick in until like 3000rpm on my old turbo kicked in at like 2000rpm my actuator lever dosnt move all the way down is this what is causeing the late boost issue i had a overboost code also

Great video thanks for sharing is there any difference from each side of turbo to spray...as in my case it's easier from the intake side....vw touran..thanks

this does work, but you do run the risk of burning the rubber seal inside the Turbo,

This also works on mondeos and jaguars as it’s the 2.0 Diesel engine and there the same 😉👍👍

will it damage piston rings? turbo itself?

Is it worth doing this on a car that is running fine? I.e. no limp mode or nothing, but just to give it a clean?

how to do it on skoda the turbo is hidden on the back down side, acces is very limited even from below :/

Hi. can you do this with petrol turbo?

Can this cleaner damage oring and all rubber inside turbine?

I did this with some cheap brand oven cleaner and it cured the limp mode for about a week then it was back so got done real deal mr muscle to try, 2001 golf with ASV engine

Is anyone active that would help me as well? I have got an Audi A3 8P 1.9tdi PD105 and I have no boost. It is hardly going up to 45mph and sometimes the check engine light is coming. I have checked the car with my OBD scanner and P0299 code showed up. The normal temperature of a operating Diesel engine is 90 degrees but usual temp. for my car is between 60-70 and sometimes goes up to 90 for a bit. I checked the turbos inlet side and there was no movement of the compressor wheel which mean it is good. Would you have a clue why I don’t have any boost and should I have a look for any air leakage?

Can anyone advise me on how to clean a turbo on a golf mk6 1.4 TSI GT Petrol?

Do I need to keep adding mr muscle every 10 minutes or so or is it just spray it in and work every 10 mins?

I have been wanting to do this for a while, but I was wondering, since the MrMuscle comes out of the egr port, isnt it also going in the cylinder head since the manifold exhaust ports are lower than the top of the egr port ? Im scared it would damage the head or even go in the motor.

It was great mate just remapped it spoiled up okay but always thought it's being held back and thought can't do it any harm doing this cause I guarantee no ones done it too this car so I did it soon as I went to put foot down it felt sluggish and laggy then it's picks up when before soon as touched throttle it would go?

I just done this today to my Audi A3 1.9 tdi PD 130 and before the car was going into limp Mode once the car was taking upto 100mph, i done this method and my car does not move l, its like its in limp Mode all the time. i dont know what i done wrong, could you please help thanks

Can this be done on a Toyota verso corolla turbo d4d aswell and do I follow the same procedure?

Will the blown through Mr muscle have any affected on the catalytic converter or dpf? Don't want it to mess up either of those

Where are the burnt trash go.Does it damage engine somehow.

hi mate any advice on doing this on a 2.0 Tdi A3 ? mine is doing exactly the same as yours was , but my turbo is a nightmare to access as its right down the back of the engine

This is a temporary solution , I tried it but after a few months it will get stuck again , the best solution is to remove the turbo and take the hot side apart and clean it , just make pictures when you tear it down .

i have same issue on a 2006 mk5 golf /140 .2 garages both say i need a new turbo at a cost of 600+£s . but ive since been told this is a common vnt problem and if i fit a new turbo i could have same problem in 6 months .and have been advised to clean the old one every few months with wynns turbo i(in tank) cleaner . tried the mr muscle approach but too hard to get access on mine .

i cleaned out an EGR valve with mr muscle it really is a good cleaner. i want to clean up and old gearbox to get off all the grime and muck thats built off over the years. will mr muscle work?

Really good video. How do you know the hoes is going into the turbo housing and not into one of the manifold areas? I'd love to do this on a SEAT Alhambra 1.9 TDI 115 brake horsepower pump diesel tomorrow .

Although this will seem to work at first, I heard doing this eats up seals and can build up semi dissolved carbon sludge left behind the turbo vanes after the process. The only way is to strip it down and clean it properly.

Do this while engine is cold?

Hey, for how long does this treatment help. Is it a permanent solotuion or do you have to repate it the next year? I have the same problem with limp mode and will try this metode. thanks

I don't understand, once you put the foam inside the turbo, do you leave for 1h the foam sit there ? Then after that what do you do, clean it or it will evaporate by itself? What's the next step after that?

Can be this done on a car he is not closed EGR valve. Can damage the EGR valve or the hose that comes with the EGR valve (I do not know which material it is). How much volume should spray the spray? How much volume should spray the spray? Thanks and sorry for my bad English +CarAndMechanical

Hey man, my golf 130bhp is going into limp mode. What is it that actually puts it into limp mode? I'm planning to clean out the turbo and EGR, but is there anything else to look out for, bad solenoids?

I've done this to my seat leon mk1 tdi 110 asv engine. Done exactly the same kept pressing the actuator filling it up etc but now my car feels sluggish and laggy now :/