Braided Steel Turbo Oil Supply Line (MK4) (BHW)

What it is
This is a braided steel oil supply line for ALH/BEW/BHW TDI, replacing the factory hard line between the engine block and the turbo. It includes a -4 AN braided steel high-temperature oil hose, seals, and swivel fittings for the run from the oil supply on the front of the engine to the turbo oil inlet.

Why replace the factory line
The factory hard line is prone to fractures, kinks, and breakage. This braided line doesn't share that failure mode, and KermaTDI recommends changing it out any time a new turbo goes in.

What's different about this design

• Hard-piped 90-degree elbow at the turbo inlet. Costs a bit more to make, but it's a better way to build a sharp bend than relying on hose flex. It keeps full clearance for the VNT actuator adjustment and snap ring, even on smaller turbos, and uses the factory oil line attachment points for a secure, low-stress install.
• Smaller wrenches needed. The turbo-side fitting installs with a socket, and the oil-line side has enough clearance for an ordinary wrench. The factory fitting typically needs a specially ground-down 17mm wrench just to get proper bite.
• Screw-in swivel fitting on the block side, replacing the factory banjo fitting. The factory banjo is awkward to maneuver in a tight space, easy to drop a washer or bolt into the engine bay while installing, and hard to line up without cross-threading if the factory hard line is even slightly bent.
• Flexible, not rigid. The factory hard line is difficult to route into the same position it came out of. This line isn't.

Install note
It only takes about 15 ft-lbs to seal the fittings. The most common install mistake is not routing the braided line along the same path as the stock hard line, secured with the factory clamps and bracket. Skip that step and it can rub against coolant lines or the wiring harness.

Fitment
VNT15 (stock ALH), VNT17, 17/22, S7, 1726, and K3 turbos, as well as stock BEW and BHW turbos.

Common questions

Do I need to replace this line every time I service the turbo, or only when installing a new one? KermaTDI recommends replacing it whenever a new turbo goes in, since the factory hard line is a common failure point.

Does this fit my stock turbo, or only upgrade turbos? Both. It fits stock VNT15, BEW, and BHW turbos as well as upgrade options like VNT17, S7, 1726, and K3.

What torque do the fittings need? About 15 ft-lbs to seal properly, no more.

What's the most common install mistake with this line? Not routing it along the same path as the factory hard line. Skipping the factory clamps and bracket lets it rub on coolant lines or the wiring harness.