So I see a few references to turbo's blowing out on higher mileage 3.6 RR's.
How big a problem is it?
Anything o look for when picking a secondhand purchase?
I guess FSH is an essential but is there anything else and should I be scared of high mileage purchases?

Thanks

My tdv8 has about 248,000 km. It's going well. However next service I will ask them to check the lower intercooler hoses for any signs oil is starting to bypass the turbo seal. ______________________________
Vogue tdv8 08MY poverty pack - wow

Seems to be a roll of the dice.

It's been a bigger problem on the RR Sport - so got fairly widely reported - less of a problem on the FFRR, but still happens enough.

I haven't heard of anything you can do proactively - they just seem to be reported as sudden failures - which adds to the paranoia......

Proactively you can do something.

At the least get it serviced ontime and dont push it past this for oil changes.
Even better is to half the service interval for oil and oil filter at least. The oil in these looks like crud after 20k and whilst 10k can still sound like a lot you are getting the damaging parts out more often and thus less wear on parts as oil does degrade over time.

Another is to not shutdown an engine after its worked very hard without a little cool down time.
10-30seconds idling when you park up helps the water circuit take more heat from the turbos and also keeps oil flowing through them to help cool as well.

It may not sound like a lot but worth it. I only ever had 1 turbo failure and that was when i was much younger. and this mantra is what ive stuck to since. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

I hope you're right. My FFRRs been serviced every 10,000km, which is what gave me confidence in buying such a high mileage vehicle. ______________________________
Vogue tdv8 08MY poverty pack - wow

I haven't stuck to an official service schedule in yonks! My daily donk gets it at between 4-6k mainly as I run it on some nasty fuel combinations but also as oil and filters are so cheap for it that 3-4 services a year are nothing in the grand scheme of it all and it's the banger car and the others don't get used anywhere near as much  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

The other common issue with them is a sticky turbo actuator if underused, it basically gums up with crap and goes stiff so you get an engine management warning on startup. This can be freed off with a wire coathanger and some wd40 then a spray of 3 in one oil. I have added this procedure to my twice annual clean and check as a preventative measure. 09 TDV8 Westminster, Mariana Black, Rear seat entertainment, hatch bag and 2 slobbery mutts

Hi Machinehead, could you offer some assistance as where to use the wire coat hanger to free off the actuator rod as i suspect mine is currently stuck on the nearside turbo?

I have the sticky turbo actuator issue with mine. Is there a write up anywhere on how to clean and lubricate? 2015 Range Rover VSE 4.4 SDV8. 1998 BMW 840 Sport, 2008 Aston Martin DB9
2009 Triumph Bonneville, 1959 Triumph Bonneville, 1969 Triumph Bonneville, 1975 T160 Triumph Trident, 2014 Suzuki Gladius, 1990 Harley Davidson Fat Boy.

Bump

Somewhere I read that when changing engine oil and only drain thru the most accessible drain plug, sludge will build up around the turbo drain pipe and eventually blow the turbo seals. Not sure how important this is but as long as the tdv8 have two drain plugs it seems wise to use both. "Plentraktoren/Garden tractor": 2008 L322 TDV8
"Project": 1990 90 County 300tdi

Ive had a mad year so not been about much. The turbo is above the nearside diff. Its a pain in the butt to get to but.... if you put a hooked bend on a coathanger you can just get the bottom of the actuator rod looking forward from behind it.

My motor was annoyingly left outside by a bodyshop waiting for repair and I have the issue again. It doesn't lend itself to photos due to location but once I do it i'll post more detail. Its been a while.

Use spray 3in1 oil after cleaning to keep it free.

Just realised I already wrote it up here http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic35415.html?highlight=turbo 09 TDV8 Westminster, Mariana Black, Rear seat entertainment, hatch bag and 2 slobbery mutts