Messing around with an endoscope and ruined my day...

[SoCalLowLife6]

So I purchased a $20 amazon endoscope and was just messing around with it trying to check around my engine (mainly looking to see if I could catch a glimpse of how bad the carbon build up is on my valves). My car is a 2011 GTI w/ 118k miles. Anyways, I stuck the endoscope down where the air intake goes into the turbo and I couldn’t believe what I saw! Sure looks like a crack to me! But I would just like verification. From the research I’ve done it seems a lot of cases the turbo cracked on the hot side. This is definitely on the intake side. What would cause this?

 

[U-20T]

semi looks like one but could be the casting as well, the raised are for sure is a casting seam

 

[GolNat]

It might be a casting mark.l and probably is.

 

[Joe_Mama]

Looks fine to me.

 

[Grabbit]

I vote casting mark. If that was a real crack you would know...

 

[SoCalLowLife6]

I was thinking the same thing but if you look at the first pic and zoom in you can see a space between the “crack”. I’ll try taking a clearer pic and post it.
If it is a crack would it be possible to replace the housing without competently removing the turbo?

 

[WalkerT]

Just casting man. Look at this IHI I torn apart. This is looking up from where the air would meet the compressor wheel.

 

[BudgetPhoenix]

I feel like you would def be throwing codes if you had a leak there.

 

[Grabbit]

If it is a crack would it be possible to replace the housing without competently removing the turbo?

Yes.