Disconnecting downpipe from hotside of turbo (3b)

[s2driveruk]

Hey folks, can anyone help?

Trying to prepare to remove the engine and i am unbolting the downpipe and the wastegate flexi.

However, what is the best way to get to and remove the 17mm bolt on the underside of the downpipe flange…the one nearest to the block/manifold? I remember this being a sod before but memory failure has kicked in.

Any tips welcome…thanks!

[sjw185]

I might be wrong but I seem to remember it is a 10mm thread but the nut head is 15mm.
I used offset spanner, fitted in ok once the wastegate pipe is removed.
Had to grind the outer surface of the ring spanner to allow it to squeeze between the nut and the downpipe wall.
Called S shape spanners on ebay.

image_20438.jpg

[SteveH]

Yeah, you need a 'U' spanner or obstruction spanner to get to it.

[SteveH]

The standard downpipe nuts are made from something exotic from memory. Very light and strong and they don't corrode.

[fish]

I think i used a thin socket and a few extensionbars on a ratchet... Ended up being almost to the firewall, but it worked.

[s2driveruk]

Thanks folks…yep, i bought a set of obstruction spanners but i cant reach that bolt still. I think if the bolt is 15mm then i will go in from behind..ooh err with a ratchet instead as the bolts for the flexi are rounding nicely and i will deal with it once the engine is out.

agree…the bolts are the only ones which havent corroded!

[SteveH]

Thanks folks…yep, i bought a set of obstruction spanners but i cant reach that bolt still. I think if the bolt is 15mm then i will go in from behind..ooh err with a ratchet instead as the bolts for the flexi are rounding nicely and i will deal with it once the engine is out.

agree…the bolts are the only ones which havent corroded!

Probably Titanium so don't throw them away

[larsaskogstad]

Hazet and several others have this specially made for turbos. I thin its 15 on one side and 17 on the other I will try and find it now.
Going to buy one myself We just used a normal spanner or what its called, filed it down a bit and bent it with heat.

[larsaskogstad]

Or something like this

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/33048263849.html

[s2driveruk]

Interesting, i had no idea they made them specificially…will take a look myself

[Fat Audi 80]

Hey David,

I have just done this on my S2, give me a call if you want me to (try) and talk you through it and remember what I did. Hard to explain in words. My car is still partially in bits so can look at it while I am talking to you....

Basically, you need the curved swan neck spanner and stubby spanners as a bare minimum and you can "just" do it. (Assuming the 15mm nut turns fairly easily and is not seized!

cheers

Steve

[larsaskogstad]

Interesting, i had no idea they made them specificially…will take a look myself

Didn't know it either, couldn't find specifically the one I was talking about but when I checked I found one that was "VW/Audi Turbo removal tool" with 2 bends and a socket or something