2G Turbo bolt loose or stripped?

[ziggys95tsi]

When I unscrewed my heatshield for maybe the second time since i owned the car, I noticed one of the 4 turbo-manifold bolts really loose. Like it is sticking about an inch and a half above the manifold. When I go to loosen it, it gets hard quick and I don't wanna risk stripping it.

The same shit when I try to tighten it. It gets hard way to quick. I loosened all the other bolts to try to wiggle it a lil bit and maybe get it re-seated, but no luck. It doesn't look or feel like there is an exhaust leak but I'm only holding boost at 16 when i should be 18-19. No biggy since I could prbly use a retune since the change of weather, but wondering if anybody had any ideas on how to fix it without stripping the turbo, I can buy a new bolt.

thanxxx guys

 

[romeen]

Each bolt is supposed to have 2 cup washers (I've also heard them called cone washers) between the bolt head and the exhaust manifold. They should be positioned such that the convex side ("pointy" side) of each one is positioned away from eachother. In other words, one pointing towards the manifold and one pointing towards the bolt head. If you don't have both the bolt is prone to backing out.

Try spraying some PB Blaster or WD-40 on the bolt and letting it run down it. Let it sit for awhile then try taking it out. You can also run the engine to heat it up before taking it out. Just be careful not to burn yourself! If your missing the cup washers you should get them from the dealer and use both as I suggested.

 

[ziggys95tsi]

do you think like home depot or a hardware store would have washer's that could work??

 

[romeen]

Does this mean you looked and your turbo-exhaust manifold bolts do not have them?
I have never looked for this type of washer at a hardware store so I can't say for sure. I would recommend staying with an oem washer for this as they are very high grade to be able to handle lots of thermal stress. If you don't want to get them from the dealer then most of the DSM shops should have them. The part number is MR187848. Again, you need a total of 8, two for each bolt.

 

[ziggys95tsi]

yup. there were none. Ima check slowboy and see if they have a cheap stainless steel bolt kit that comes with them. Thanks for all you help man

 

[gsx rated98]

get the washers.

Only real thing to do is try to soak it with PB blaster and wrench it out. Hopfully it will come out. If it does great, go get yourself a tap and clean out the threads in the turbo. The bolt may snap, if it does, off to the Machine shop, sorry.

Side note - I use ARP main studs for my turbo bolts. They can be a pain in the but to put on, but they dont back out, and when removing them your removing the nut from the top of the turbo, so there is no chance of it seizing.