So, earlier in the year (easter time) whilst towing caravan, noticed a dramatic lack of power and information screen in the dash saying engine system failure, limped to site only 1/2 mile and booked it, wihen started again back to normal.

A couple of weeks pass and it happpens again whilst pulling up a long hill, again after switching off back to normal.

Took it to local garage and hooked up to talking box of tricks cleared all fault code then when for a blast to induce the fault - P 132B boost solenoid fault!

Read a few posts on here & D3 forum, talked to a couple of mechanics and tried Innotec, took a week to remove the exhaust though! Them bolts were tight!! got some pics somewhere I'll post them later. Made no difference.

Fast forward a few months, (luckily I don't use it daily I have another car for work as the conditions there are not favourable for good cars) and got talking to a bloke on a stand at Top Gear live, Terraclean, treatment supposed to clean all carbon crap out, thought I'd try it, Booked in, picked up seemed OK for 10 miles then no power,

Bit more reading & decided to check actuator linkage, there was a little resistance but no way near seized, lubed up with a full can of penol and operated for 1/2 with a coathanger hooked over the top of the linkage, seemed a lot freer. with ignition on actuator was held in position , if I tried to move it there was lots of resistance then it when back to same place but afterwards still lost power & engine system failure cam on.

I would now say that the actuator is working and not seized, is there anything that could snap so even if the actuator was working the vanes migh not be moving?

Read again that it might be the intercooler - how are these checked? Same as a radiator, seal and pump up with it submersed? and where is it? not found it yet!

Just want to try all the cheaper fixes before I lash out for the turbo.

Any pointers or advice welcome.............

Cheers..................Boost

Could be something as simple as a split turbo hose, or as you say, a leak in the intercooler. How does the car perform in general, and is there any excessive smoke under load?

In general it seems OK, no smoke even under load, mpg still 28/29 on computer. just off to find the intercooler and check a hose or 2

I had this on a car before, a D3 actually. The rod was moving ok, the actuator was working ok, but when it went into overboost, the rod jammed at its limit, and would not return to its normal position until the ignition was switched off. Took a while to track that fault down, but end result was a new turbo

Found & checked intercooler & hoses, all seem OK, off side hose was a bit 'oily', removed & a few drops of oil came out?

Which intercooler hose splits? Or is it both? I read about replacing them on here.

It's looking like the turbo though Any guidance/writeups on here how to remove? easy job or a pig

Are they fixable, if its jammed as you say will it clean up once in bits? Or once it's off is it better to fit new?

If it is new one where's best place to get one from?

Cheers..................Boost