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TURBO WOES[200/1984] posted by robert on
Wednesday, 16 June 1999, at 9:31 p.m.
My daughter's 84 245GLT Intercooler is on the west coast, while I'm on the east coast, so I dont have the opportunity for hands on troubleshooting.
Anyway, she complains of no pickup or acceleration (a real safety issue when trying to merge on Interstate 5) and the Turbo Boost gauge barely moves into the yellow. I suspect its a turbo-related problem but where do I start? No smoke comes out of the tailpipe so Turbo seals and general engine condition may be OK. Its a beautiful car with 155K and definitely a keeper. Turbo was replaced once with a serviceable used one about 50K ago. Still has the original Oil cooled (non-water cooled) factory set-up.
Any thing I should try first before I spend time and money locating/installing a Turbo unit? Thanks.
--RLS
Re: TURBO WOES[200/1984] posted by Paul Seminara on
Wednesday, 16 June 1999, at 10:34 p.m.
Could be a constipated cat.
OR
Are ALL the hoses connected?
--Paul Seminara - My carma ran over my dogma....
Re: TURBO WOES[200/1984] posted by robert on
Thursday, 17 June 1999, at 5:34 a.m.
Thanks I will all these out. What is the best way to know if the Cat is bad before I replace it?
--RLS
Re: TURBO WOES[200/1984] posted by Paul Seminara on
Thursday, 17 June 1999, at 9:15 a.m.
1) A decent exhaust place could check really quick for your daughter. (Back pressure test - pressure before (at the screw hole) and after at the tail pipe shouldn't be too different.)
2) Don's scenario also fits well. The wastegate could be stuck open. Unhook the boost solenoid hose, drive and carefully try to kick the turbo in. It should boost like crazy, because there is nothing opening the wastegate. If still no boost then that sucker is open or like I said before your cat is clogged (eliminate by #1 above) or all you boost is going elsewhere.
--Paul Seminara (darn I got Nigeria and Russia in Women's World Cup pool)
Re: TURBO WOES[200/1984] posted by nathan on
Wednesday, 16 June 1999, at 11:41 p.m.
Well obviously you're not getting much boost. if the needle is going anywhere into the yellow you're above atmospheric pressure and the turbine is still spinning, probably...
it's possible its just a split intake hose, seal failure, etc... like paul said the cat could be a problem too.
Check to see if ANY intake related hoses are messed up.. I'd imagine a split hose anywhere in the intake with a good sized gash would vent quite a bit of pressure.
Also, check the wastegate on the turbo, it could be stuck open causing very little movement of the exhuast-side turbine.
Any noise complaints? has she heard the turbo get louder then stop boosting?
my guess is wastegate or intake/exhaust problems, guessing her turbo is probably still good.
If you find anything interesting, post it :)
Re: TURBO WOES[200/1984] posted by Don Foster on
Thursday, 17 June 1999, at 6:38 a.m.
Robert --
I just went through exactly that in my '82 turbo -- it turned out the bolts securing the wastegate actuator had loosened so the actuator was flopping around. This meant the wastegate was mostly open. I replaced/tightened the two bolts, and all's well.
If the cat is badly plugged (mine was when I bought the car) it won't get over 20 mph, and she may blow out the manifold gasket from the back pressure.
If the cat is plugging, your daughter will notice increasingly poor performance over time, and a declining highway speed.
But if the turbo is simply not providing boost (but no breathing restrictions) the highway speed shouldn't be affected -- just how long it takes to get there.