Got a few issues...

[ProbeChris]

So i bought this almost a month ago and told it had a bad turbo. However after I took everything apart the turbo seemed to be in pretty decent shape. It spun freely and didnt make contact with the housing and had very minimal shaft play. I decided to put everything back together correctly as the turbo wasn't bolted to the manifold and the wg was disconnected when I bought it. The issue I'm having now is that the car wasn't producing any boost and usually bogs down horribly around 3500 rpm most of the time. A few times I've gotten it up to 5k but still no boost. So today I decided to watch the compressor wheel as the car idled and realized the wheel wasn't spinning. I reved it up a little and still nothing.

Being this is my first turbo car, I'm completly lost on this one. Is the turbo shot?, or is something else causing these issues?

 

[hornsfan10609]

Its bogs horribly because the car is dumping more fuel and there isn't more air to compensate, is there a boost gauge on the car? It spins freely but doesn't spin when the car is running?

 

[ProbeChris]

I thought it may be dumping too much fuel in, thanks for confriming this. The car does have a boost/vac gauge and it never goes above 0. And you are correct, turbo seems to spin freely by hand but doesn't do anything while the car is idling or given gas.

 

[Preferio]

Did you inspect the wastegate when you had the turbo off? A common problem is the wastegate binding causing it to be stuck open. I had this issue as well as a few others.

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

if you have an exhaust leak pre turbo, you could have the same issues also. like a leak between the head to manifold, or between the manifold to turbo.

 

[Preferio]

That would be a big ass leak... Not saying it's not possible, but surely he'd see/hear that...

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

and sadly it happens all to often. its amazing what you see when you work in a forced induction specialty shop. and one of the things you learn very quickly is most people dont understand forced induction.

Air is lazy. it will always go the easiest route. if it has a open leak pre turbo, its gonna take that route, instead of going through the added effort of spinning the exhaust wheel to get out every time.

 

[Preferio]

and sadly it happens all to often. its amazing what you see when you work in a forced induction specialty shop. and one of the things you learn very quickly is most people dont understand forced induction.

Air is lazy. it will always go the easiest route. if it has a open leak pre turbo, its gonna take that route, instead of going through the added effort of spinning the exhaust wheel to get out every time.

I've been in this industry for a decade now, and it's no just FI, it's everything. Some of the stuff I see come through my shops over the years amazes me.

 

[ProbeChris]

if you have an exhaust leak pre turbo, you could have the same issues also. like a leak between the head to manifold, or between the manifold to turbo.

I thought of this as well, but I don't hear, see, or even feel a leak before the turbo. For the compressor wheel not to spin what so ever, I'm sure it would have to be a noticable leak.

Did you inspect the wastegate when you had the turbo off? A common problem is the wastegate binding causing it to be stuck open. I had this issue as well as a few others.

While it was off I moved the rod by hand and everything seemed to be working as it should. I still wouldn't rule this out as the previous owner threw in a used forge wasgate with the car, making me think that one wasn't working and he purchased a new one or went back to stock.

 

[StreetLimitz89]

mine is doing a similar thing, i posted a thread and i have a video showing where is just releases the boost built up throught the bov and it just bogs around 3500 rpms watch it and see if it is remotely similar to your issue.

 

[ProbeChris]

^^^not seeing the video in your thread. But mine isnt building boost at all. Compressor doesnt spin=no boost.lol

 

[Preferio]

^^^not seeing the video in your thread. But mine isnt building boost at all. Compressor doesnt spin=no boost.lol

Apparently I missed that... The compressor does NOTHING?

 

[tweety2300]

Even with a massive leak Pre turbo the car should still build boost. I had all 4 bolts back almost all the way out and I was still building boost but it wouldn't hold it. Something is clearly not right here. Even if the turbo is beyond bad the wheel should still spin

 

[ProbeChris]

Would the compressor spin if the wastegate was stuck open? Ill more than likely be tearing it back apart tomorrow to investigate further.

 

[tweety2300]

It should still spin at some degree. Are you sure it's not just an illusion of it not spinning? Not getting boost could be more simpler things the wheel not spinning is just plain weird.

 

[ProbeChris]

Ill check again in the morning but im pretty sure it wasnt spinning at all.

 

[Preferio]

Rev it up to like 5k and put your finger in there.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

DO NOT put any of your appendages into a turbo please...

Sounds to me like the turbo is seized if its not spinning at all. Turbos are extremely easy to spin, even a gentle blow through the exhaust side will make it turn. Have it rebuilt by a reputable shop.

 

[Preferio]

DO NOT put any of your appendages into a turbo please...

Sounds to me like the turbo is seized if its not spinning at all. Turbos are extremely easy to spin, even a gentle blow through the exhaust side will make it turn. Have it rebuilt by a reputable shop.

I would hope that he wouldn't take me seriously...

 

[tweety2300]

He says he can spin it easily by hand