22 replies to this topic

[nigeninja]

Ive just been out in the car and its going like a wet flannel,no boost what so ever.
The day before the car was running great,any suggestions at what to look at first b4 we go down the new Turbo route

[andydclements]

Lack of boost could be many reasons, turbo is an extreme and costly possibility. First check the waste-gate is moving when positive pressure is applied to the small pipe, check that the waste-gate isn't stuck open. You could take the air inlet pipe off the turbo and check if the impeller rotates by finger, just turn the spindle by gripping between thumb and finger.

[sailorbob]

Check for air leaks after the turbo, e.g. a split hose.

[Sparky]

Mounting failed, and chargecooler separated from pipe to plenum?

[Bibs]

A hose has popped off, if the turbo had gone you'd know all about it.

[nigeninja]

Well ive been in the garage trying to look like I know what im doing,thanks for the reply's but , I like all the easy fix'es,but it is my car so why should you think its going to be some thing simple.
I done what Andy suggested and yep its jammed,after turning it a bit it went loose,so I put it back together and tried it again, came back,and it was jammed again it felt like something caught inside.
So its coming off tomorrow for a full fettle

[nigeninja]

Turbo is off,when I was messing around with it on the garage floor I found 3 small flakes of metal,and as the turbo spins free now I can only assume the metal flakes came from the turbo.

[andydclements]

was it in the clean air side that the flakes were found?
If that's case you might as well pull the turbo apart to make sure, but don't do anything beyond taking the ali casting off. Undo the bolts from the iron side that go into the ali, and it should gently prise off. You'll soon see if the clean air impellor has been damaged.

Andy

[nigeninja]

Ive had the alloy house off and the impellor and case all looks good,and as said above it now spins fine so i assume the cast iron part is rusting up inside

[andydclements]

In that case, put it back on an hopefully all is good.

If it is metal of the iron casting breaking away it's not likely to be any worse that what you have just encountered. Fixing it after more flakes have come free shouldn't be any worse than fixing it now, so get out there and enjoy driving it with boost again.

[sailorbob]

If you've got metal flakes appearing I suggest you try to identify their source before attempting to run the engine. It may save you more damage and an expensive repair.

[andydclements]

If the flakes are on the exhaust side then the worst they can do to anything bother than the turbo is pop down the pipe and sit on the cat matrix

[nigeninja]

they wont do that mate cos i have not got a cat , naughty but nice

[sailorbob]

If the flakes hit the turbine wheel at speed they will do more than just stop the turbo and those Inconel wheels are not cheap. I'd personally still want to know where they are from before running the engine.

[nigeninja]

Ive sent it off to Turbo tecnics,no doubt they will ring with as list as long as your arm what's wrong with it.

[Mike6]

Interesting thread. My turbo attached to manifold has been leaning against my garage wall for a few months whilst I rebuilt the engine. I picked it up the other day and some oil ran out of the turbo both back into the exhaust manifold and out of the air passage going to the carbs. Everything looked ok ie blades all fine, spins nicely with no play. I wanted to get it looked at but frankly wasnt that happy with what tubo technics were suggesting ie they arranged courier to pick up turbo, strip it and produce report on what needed doing. This would cost £50 but if I decided not to proceed that would send the lot back dismantled. For any work needing doing they charge a minimum of £150 but said I should expect the bill to be much higher than this. Can I trust them or is this a good money spinner.

A repair kit costs about £35 whilst an exchange turbo seems to be £797 at another turbo shop. What would I be getting for my money that warrants this variation in price. As it only appears to be the seals on my unit has anyone stripped down the turbo and was it difficult

[nigeninja]

Yeah thats what they said to me Mike,but I figured they know what they are doing unlike myself so what the hell send it to them and see what happens.
Well the turn round is quick cos I rang up today and got the report, yeah as i thought a list as long as your arm wrong,but the main thing i wanted to know was,did the rust flakes come from the turbo or else where,he said the iron/steel part of the turbo was rusted inside and thats where the flakes came from.
Also all the seals had gone and the case was cracked,so i asked the price for a turbo to be done with the impoved 360 bearing,£502.00 delivered back to me

[CHANGES]

Well Done Nigel, right decision in my book, not too expensive for quick professional job , and don't forget the two year g/tee. you will be back on the road in no time at all ,with the confidence of job well done.
Dave

[gasmangt3]

Agree with Dave mate, best sort it now for £500 rather than when it blows.

[Mike6]

That exactly why I am not keen on sending them my turbo. £500 is a fortune to me and I bet everyone gets this sort of bill irrespective of what work they do. Also why is the rebuild kit as low as £35. I appreciated balancing is involved but in the kit all parts are balanced individually.

I am beginning to think I might get the kit see how it goes and then advertise my services for a fraction of what these companies charge. A good money spinner for a poor old retired person.