Just thought I would share some experience I have had dealing with a sticking VG Turbo, the products I have used and the varying amounts of success I have had.
This is in no way a scientific test, just real life, trying to cure 'Boost Position Sensor' codes 'Limp Mode' etc. All down to soot and carbon deposits on the Variable Geometry part of the turbo.

First product tried was 'Revive Turbo Cleaner' at about £42.99



This is injected into the air intake just before the turbo in small busts whilst the engine is running.
Result........steam out of the exhaust and no turbo improvement. May well do some cleaning of the piston head, don't know.

Few weeks later product number two 'Forte Diesel Turbo Cleaner' fuel additive, add to full tank. Tried this 3 times, approx.. £14 each.
Also a fail. Found out later from another website it is recommended as a preventative measure.




Few weeks later product number three 'Lucas Diesel EGR & Turbo Cleaner' an aerosol which is sprayed into the air intake just before the turbo in small bursts whilst engine is running. Retails at approx.. £9 per can.
Result......another fail. It makes the engine race whilst it's being injected but that is about all.




Few weeks later product number four 'Power Maxed Diesel Turbo Cleaner' "cleans cures limp mode on variable vane turbos" £34.99
This one is more involved. Remove exhaust from turbo and move to one side. Use first can and inject liquid into turbo whilst moving the actuator leaver. Do this several times until the can is exhausted. Take second can to rinse out turbo whilst trying to collect the debris. Re assemble exhaust etc.. the third item is a fuel additive.

Reasonable success with this one. It did flush some soot and carbon deposits from the turbo and the actuator appeared to be free. Unfortunately as it is a liquid it has a tendency to run straight to the bottom and out of the turbo.




Several weeks later as very fed up, product number five Mr. Muscle oven cleaner approx.. £6
No instructions as this is an adhoc. Idea being ovens can get caked in carbon and soot deposits.
WARNING this stuff is harmful to skin and eyes etc. if you try it use gloves and eye protection. It is also harmful to aluminium components. That said I have been using it on Renault Clio DCI engines to clean EGR valves for years.

Prosses for use. Disconnect exhaust from turbo and move to one side. Disconnect the turbo actuator leaver from the actuator motor by removing the small 'C' clip. Replace the nozzle on the Mr. Muscle with the large swivel one from the large WD40 can as it has a longer straw. Position the straw into the turbo and through the turbo vanes, you cannot see it but you can feel it. Inject the oven cleaner into the turbo until it appears at the opening. Remove the can and put a rag into the opening to stop it coming back out. Leave for about 20 minutes whilst it foams up ( have a cup of tea ). Go back to the turbo and move the actuator leaver as much as possible to work the cleaner into the vanes. Do this three or four times.
After the last time remove the rag for the final time and wipe up any spillage. Do not try and clean inside the turbo.
Re assemble every thing and start the car, DO NOT REV IT, let it tick over and warm up a bit.
Whilst you are waiting place an old tarpaulin behind the car by the tail pipe.
After approx. 10 mins. floor the accelerator BRIEFLY two or three times then let the engine return to idle. Check what has been discharged from the exhaust, hence the tarpaulin. I forgot that bit.

Take the car for a drive doing some hard acceleration when it is safe and legal to do so and vary the revs through the gears.
Now enjoy your car as it performs as it used to.




As said at the beginning this is only my long winded experience, only try it if you feel comfortable.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Nice!

Could add the bit about removing the C Clip from the turbo actuator before giving it the wiggle treatment?

Well spotted Grue, should have mentioned disconnect actuator leaver from motor by removing the 'c' clip.




Edit now done.  Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

cool write up on this - mr muscle is the way to go for the VAG boys.
I also found a youtube on a guy using sea foam - dumps it in as the engine is running !!!
its the second half of the video..
?t=375 Stewart
2007 Freelander 2 SE TD4
2007 A6 quattro 3.0 TDI Manual
1986 coupe quattro (kv) square wheels.
1972 mini 1400 100BHP A series

Thanks for the reply and the video clip. Not sure about the seafoam but I liked the smoke machine. Something to think about in future.  Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

Very entertaining, and extremely useful. All those specialist products - humbug!

Thanks gasser MY11 SD4 SE Auto

I'm guessing Mr Muscle won't do a DPF any good? MY13 Santorini Black SD4 HSE

Couldn't give an honest answer regarding the DPF as mine does not have one. Can not really see a problem though as the Mr. Muscle becomes less aggressive when it has been standing plus it has done its job whilst in the turbo. Any residue is quickly expelled when you hit the accelerator pedal. I have since read that this is a popular turbo cleaner with people on VW Audi forums.
As I said at the beginning, I am not making any recommendations just an observation of my experience.  Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

As a preventative measure you can just drive the car so the turbo is used through its full range, I drive 16 miles to work and after 12 miles I have a stretch where I can hard accelerate through the gears. I do this everyday from 0 to 70mph, then settle back to normal driving. Mr Muscle is wonderful stuff and has been used in garages for years, I think direct application of a product is better than letting it go through the engine as impellers can be bent by liquids in the inlet system

Would agree entirely.  Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.