I have a 1996 turbo wagon. This has been a really nice car. The turbo has quit working. No big power boost like what it used to do when I bought it. Do I need to fix the turbo? Or can I just drive my 850 as is? The car has 200,000 miles on it but still is a nice ride. My son had a naturally aspirated T5 that was plenty powerful. Is there a way I could just switch intake and exhaust manifolds? Frankly I can't afford to run premium gas in it. What are my options?

First, a T5 has the same high pressure turbo your car has. You probably have a loose vacuum line at the turbo boost controller (3 vacuum lines at the air cleaner) or a loose connection in the intercooler routing from the air cleaner to the throttle body. Just grab the IC hose and try to twist it, if the connection moves then tighten the clamp.

Some have found that the hose to the throttle has developed cracks in the accordian section, check that also.

Step down to mid-grade fuel, that works up to 5,000 rpm.

If your turbo were to fail, you would have a mosquito fogging machine!!!
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Ok Klaus,

You gave me some hope that it might not be the turbo. I think I will take it to the dealer and see what they say about it,

Thanks

The dealers around here charge $135/hr for diagnosis. Most of the mechanics are 'new' and don't know what to do to a car if there isn't an error code.

Before you bring it in, check the small vacuum lines around the air cleaner and look for a loose or missing one.
The turbo also has some vacuum lines going to it, check those also.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Instead of fiddling and buying parts, why not take it to a dealer and have them check it out? They never charge more than one hour's labor.

Your problem could just be a hole in a hose.

Last fall my dealer had a special - one hour's troubleshooting for free and a written report of problems found.

Every used Volvo that I purchased was run through their certification check - cost was one hour's labor and I got a two page report. They can tell you if an ant ever farted in the glove box! Volvo used to have a copy of the checklist on their site.

As for high test, the price of base fuel is so high that high test is a bargain - I find that the extra mileage that I get is worth the price.

Well thanks James,

Don't know if I need to know about the ant farts in the glove box but yes, I should take it to a dealer. Is that standard ......1 hours labor? That would buy me some peace of mind and possibly confirm my suspicions! Thanks.

How do you know it is a turbocharger problem?
Like maybe a clogged CAT, fuel filter, AMM etc.
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"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig

I'm not sure it is but it used to be you could REALLY tell when the turbo kicked in. Now, not so much. Think I'll have a dealer check it out. Thanks.