Turbo failure found & other progress
 

This is the driver's side turbo. The exhaust shaft moves up and down when you move it with your finger. I'm guessing that there was a bearing failure allowing one of the vanes to contact the housing. There seems to be excessive oil in the driver's side plumbing and exhaust. That's also the side where I've had the leak at the intercooler pipe. Maybe that side was overspinning?

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Also we got the transmission off and pulled the clutch and flywheel. The clutch really doesn't look bad. I started to install the new lightweight flywheel but noticed that there was no new needle bearing in the box. So we called it a day so I can order a new bearing.


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cleanest tranny ever

Keep up the good work Rob!
 

Have you talked w/ AWE about their manifolds and how a pair just cracked on a car?

it appears that its happened to more than just a few people
 

<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/2418238.phtml">some recent discussion</a>

<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/2421657.phtml">follow-up thread</a>

re: Checked with AWE
 

Mike says that if I follow the installation directions exactly then I shouldn't have a problem. All headers manufactured in the last few years were "fly cut" and have had no issues.

Guess all I can do is carefully inspect the weld to make sure it's OK. Anyone know someone who's an expert in this area?