I need some ideas here:

I just brought my 88 760 turbo wagon into the shop because I have noticed a significant power loss. (My brother's 740NA beats mine) People had told me head gasket, bad turbo etc. but the mechanic said he unbolted the cat and it pulled real good, so I bought a new cat for $255 installed, thinking this isn't too bad of a price-problem is, it still isn't fast. It feels the same as when I brought it in. I can tell that the turbo is hardly making any difference (you know when you usually feel it kick in around 3,000RPM) Could it be my muffler is bad and has too much back pressure? My bro. put his hand near the pipe and thought the pipe was unobstructed. I think the turbo is defintiely spooling up and I still have plenty of coolant (and pressure in the system) so I don't think it's a head gasket. Any ideas??? Thanks a lot.

Sean Higgins

88 760ti - I will fix it!!!!

When you blow a turbo you will most definitely know. Your exhaust will be full of oil/black and blue, noisy, smelly, etc. There really isn't any way to miss a blown turbo... mine blew and it was a horrible experience, physically and monetarily.

-rt

I'll second in on the vacuum hose idea. Those tubo's a finnicky when it comes to pressures. One peice of advice though, obtain high qouality hose from an import parts dealer. Standard hose don't fit the metric stuff so good. Good luck to you.

Sean:

I think you are approaching the wrong side of the equation. Nice price on the cat btw.

I'd check the air intake for the turbo and all the associated vacuum lines first. I imagine that by power loss you mean it just feels like the car is running under regular power with no real "effect" from the turbo? That it feels equal to a car running without a turbo at all?

Check all the hoses that attach to the turbo and lead to it. Also check the vacuum hose that comes up to the dash and connects with the boost gauge. There is a secondary hose that connects with that hose inside the dash and can slip off pretty easily. Check it, and if it is detached use some wire to make a noose and tighten it around the hose to keep it clamped on. Also, check all the other hoses to the top of the engine.

Often I find that when my acceleration is down its a result of a pinched or rotted hose that is open. Many of the hoses on older volvos start to rot and rip right behind the spring clamp that holds the hose on... just the wear of time and pressure. If you find one broken just cut off the bad end and put it back on with the clamp.

May work may not, but at least all this is free work you can do yourself.

regards,

Rick