Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) turbo not working

[wrichards]

I purchased a96 12 valve a year ago. I have used it daily and have always thought that the power was off by a lot. I think that the turbo is not working properly since I don't hear it and there is no flutter after wot and letting off like my 98 12 valve. What are the steps and or common problems to begin to check to see if it is working. I know a boost guage would help but I do not have one right now.

 

[wrichards]

sorry its the 95 12 valve in my sig

 

[cerberusiam]

Boost gauge, not going to find problems with boost without it.

 

[Bob4x4]

Do a visual inspection for wear and oil leaks.Pressurize the system to check for boost leaks and wastegate function.By doing this you will have checked the majority of common issues.If your fuel pressure is good and the before mentioned test pass,you're golden

 

[wrichards]

ok i will see what i can do, what would be a symptom of wastegate not working. gonna do some searching now

 

[Missouri Mule]

If you had an egt gauge tempwould be higher than normal. But you coolant temp should be higher if it was stuck closed. If it was stuck closed boost would be up, egt would be up and you would have power to 30ish boost.
By the way my turbo doesn't make any noise and with a good load on Mule it will hit 22 lbs before it drops off (go pedal almost to floor. I also have 215 hp engine). Unless hp been added l wouldn't expect much out of a 95, as far as fast get aways.

 

[Bob4x4]

A stock non 215 hp will only see 18-19 psi,and will not get any surge when lifting the skinny pedal.Stock being the key word

 

[wrichards]

ok took turbo off today, waste gate was definitely not working and the previous owner had the turbo apart before as indicated by some china stainless bolts that were installed on it and are now broken off and stripped. So again two questions. How much damage was done driving around pulling an occasional load with a 165hp non turbo engine?? Which leads to the next question, I want to put a stock turbo on it where should I get it?

 

[wrichards]

gate was stuck open hence no power

 

[wrichards]

one more thing, is there a way to test if I have engine damage??

 

[KBurgoyne]

a 160 pump is pretty tame and unless the AFC was messed with, you wouldn't be getting very much fuel without boost. A rebuild kit is around 100 bucks. For a new stock turbo I would call a shop and see if they have any connections. a reman can be 900 bucks and there are several knockoff companies out there so be careful.