Re: Turbo Trouble

[tblank@teleport.com (Ted Blank)]

Chris,

The leaky exhaust manifold was characterized by very loud engine noise that
may have begun as a 'clicking' but grew to a much louder and annoying roar.
I didn't have broken studs, until trying to get the darn thing off.  That's
when the back 2 studs broke and after 3 days of trying to drill them out we
had to pull the head to get at the last one.

The new manifold runs about $850.  I found one for $450.  Postings on this
list scared up a couple in the $300 range.  

Performance and efficiency, not to mention the noise level, were much
improved with a new manifold.

TB

>>Friends,
>>
>>Mine is an 875KCSTQ.  In July I had the local wrench replace my leaking
>>exhaust manifold.  On the test drive we found that the engine would shut
>>down under heavy acceleration.  Since I had only recently joined this list I
>>checked here first and got clued into the overboost protection issue (thanks
>>to all of you). Sure enough, it turned out that I was getting more boost
>>than ever and experiencing the ECU cut off at 1.5 bar.  This was
>>unexplainable since I didn't have Charlie's spring, or any other mods
>>(Schrappnel Knobben (tm) etc...)
>>
>>This lasted for only a couple weeks and now has dissappeared.  I've lost the
>>extra boost and in fact am now worse than before.  I'm worried that the
>>turbo is toasted.
>>
>>I can barely get to 1.1 and then it stutters and strains.  I have a pretty
>>smooth power curve until the turbo comes on at 1.0 then I seem to top out
>>and can't get any more power.  I was doing some freeway running this evening
>>and watching the various dash readouts for more clues.  It seems that the
>>fuel consumption plummets when the bar reads 1.1 and I am taxing the turbo.
>>
>>I'm 'looking for a miracle' here.  I can't replace the turbo after sinking
>>too much $$$ in the exhaust manifold job.
>>
>>Your ideas and help are eagerly anticipated and greatly appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>TB
>
>
>Ted -
>
>Have you checked the intercooler -> turbo hose?  It's the big, fat
>accordian-shaped hose that runs into the housing that says "turbo" on it (I
>guess this is the air intake for the Turbo?).  Anyways, check it for tears,
>especially on the bottom side.  My '88 5kCST had the same symptoms as yours
>and was running absolutely sh***y until my dealer noticed the bottom side
>of my hose had a two inch gash on it.  Needless to say, major vacuum
>leak=bad performance.
>
>>From what I have seen on the list here, this is a very common problem and
>most people with our models have had the problem, as the hose gets
>extremely hot and gets worn out .  As for the cost, a new hose from the
>dealer is about $125.  I heard this price and immediately ran out to my
>local salvage yard, where a freshly bent '86 5kCST donated it's almost new
>hose for $10.  I guess the owner thought it was just some stupid piece of
>rubber, not a vital part for a turbocharger...hehe, his loss, my gain.
>Hopefully your problem is as simple as mine was!
>
>BTW, I have a question on your exhaust manifold job.  About how much did it
>run you?  Was your car making a "tick-tick" noise that sounded like
>lifters, but was caused by broken exhaust manifold studs?  My car has made
>this noise since I bought it in April, and I have been told from
>knowledgeble people here on the list that the broken studs, and not sticky
>lifters are the culprit.  This apparently is a common problem with our
>5k's, along with the IC hose.  Also, have you noticed any difference in the
>way your car drives and/or sounds?
>
>Anyways, let me know...
>
>
>---
>
> Chris King           ===================================================
> cking@txdirect.net    '94 Corrado SLC        (Sherry Red/Beige Leather)
> San Antonio, TX       '88 5000 CS Turbo   (Metallic Black/Grey Leather)
>                      ===================================================
>
>                          "Look out Mr. Highway Patrol, here I come!"
>
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