Is my turbo gone?

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nobody - 08 Mar 2005 04:27 GMT

1991 940, car has severe lack of power and no boost on the dash gauge.
After removing the intake ducts, hoses, etc, I can feel but cannot turn what
I assume to be the compressor inside the inlet housing. Two questions:

Should I be able to reach inside the turbo inlet and immediately find the
compressor blades; is there anything elses such as static vanes in there?

Should I be able to turn the compressor blades with my hand; i.e. minimal
effort?

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Gary Heston - 08 Mar 2005 05:26 GMT

>1991 940, car has severe lack of power and no boost on the dash gauge.
>After removing the intake ducts, hoses, etc, I can feel but cannot turn what
>I assume to be the compressor inside the inlet housing. Two questions:

>Should I be able to reach inside the turbo inlet and immediately find the
>compressor blades; is there anything elses such as static vanes in there?

You should find a shaft with the compressor blades on it.

>Should I be able to turn the compressor blades with my hand; i.e. minimal
>effort?

They should spin freely with minimal wobble.

Sounds like you need a rebuild.

Gary

Signature

Gary Heston gheston@hiwaay.net

Windows is like SUVs; a bad idea, poorly implemented, unsafe, with a
lot of intept users, but a fact of life we have to put up with.

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nobody - 08 Mar 2005 05:36 GMT

That's what I have assumed-any tips on a rebuild? The turbo is a t25, which
I understand is not too common. Is it possible/feasible/inexpensive to
obtain a rebuild kit rather than an entire unit? I am concerned that the
exhaust outlet may be cracked as a consequence of this event
(overheating...)-is that something with which to concern myself?

>>1991 940, car has severe lack of power and no boost on the dash gauge.
>>After removing the intake ducts, hoses, etc, I can feel but cannot turn
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Gary

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Gary Heston - 09 Mar 2005 03:15 GMT

>That's what I have assumed-any tips on a rebuild? The turbo is a t25, which
>I understand is not too common. Is it possible/feasible/inexpensive to
>obtain a rebuild kit rather than an entire unit? I am concerned that the
>exhaust outlet may be cracked as a consequence of this event
>(overheating...)-is that something with which to concern myself?

[ ... ]

Turbo International lists a cartridge available for the T25; their
site doesn't like my browser settings, though, so you'll have to
check on the price for yourself. That's not the cheapest approach,
but is by far the easiest rebuild option.

They also have rebuild kits and individual parts, if you're more
adventurous.

http://www.turbointernational.com/products2.shtml

I've priced a cartridge for my T-II RX-7 at $495, yours will probably
be less (RX-7 parts are expensive).

A cartridge is the guts of the turbo; basically, you take the housings
off the old turbo and mount them on the new cartridge, making sure
they're aligned correctly, and reinstall on the car.

Gary

Signature

Gary Heston gheston@hiwaay.net

Windows is like SUVs; a bad idea, poorly implemented, unsafe, with a
lot of intept users, but a fact of life we have to put up with.

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James Sweet - 09 Mar 2005 07:10 GMT

> >That's what I have assumed-any tips on a rebuild? The turbo is a t25, which
> >I understand is not too common. Is it possible/feasible/inexpensive to
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> off the old turbo and mount them on the new cartridge, making sure
> they're aligned correctly, and reinstall on the car.

I would recommend a cartridge or complete turbo swap for the inexperienced,
even to swap the cartridge you'll need a propane torch, some penetrating
solvent, decent wrenches, and some luck to prevent bolts from snapping off.

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Bill Chaplin - 08 Mar 2005 07:49 GMT

Yes you should reach the veins easily and they/it should turn with no
resistance,your instincts are serving well the impeller bearings are seized.
Usually an oil supply failure.

> 1991 940, car has severe lack of power and no boost on the dash gauge.
> After removing the intake ducts, hoses, etc, I can feel but cannot turn what
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Should I be able to turn the compressor blades with my hand; i.e. minimal
> effort?

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James Sweet - 09 Mar 2005 07:10 GMT

> Yes you should reach the veins easily and they/it should turn with no
> resistance,your instincts are serving well the impeller bearings are seized.
> Usually an oil supply failure.

Which brings another point to mind, always use a *new* oil supply line when
replacing a turbo cartridge.

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blurp - 16 Mar 2005 19:13 GMT

>> Yes you should reach the veins easily and they/it should turn with no
>> resistance,your instincts are serving well the impeller bearings are
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Which brings another point to mind, always use a *new* oil supply line when
>replacing a turbo cartridge.

I'll second that! The first guy who changed our turbo didn't do this
and it lasted about 4 months. If you decide this job is more than you
want to tackle and send the turbo out for a rebuild, failure to
replace the oil supply line will void the rebuilder's warranty (also
learned the hard way).

blurp

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