Dead Turbo?

[muveaside]

Hi,
My '95 MU 3.1 has a loud turbo spool down noise when the engine is shut down. Is this normal? Also I can hear a faint whine when it boosts during driving. Not sure if this was always there. Whatsmore I almost always have a fair amount of grey smoke on startup. How do I find out if the turbo is ok, anything I can check myself? Who can I take it to in Auckland to check it otherwise?

[PeterSchurms]

G'day,

Your turbo has ball bearings with a ceramic cage. This is what you can here on shut down. The bearings will make some nosie if they are slightly worn. But this is not too much of a problem, it is only a problem if the wear excessive and the efficiency is impacted. I suggest running the bearings to fail if you are not loosing boost. Only for the 3.1, I cannot comment for the 2.8.

Follow the pipe from the air cleaner and remove the last section that goes to the turbo. Look at the turbine. Make sure that it turns resonably easily and there is no visible signs of damage. Damage may require that the turbine needs repaire or replacement. You cannot see the bearings but that is not important.

You can purchase as boost gauge from your local repco or auto parts store (around $60-$80) that will give you some idea of what is going on. If your car is a auto it should be around 9 psi, manual approx 11-12psi .

When under load, the turbo should not loose boost. If it does this may indicate that there is a problem. This is about all you can do with the turbo.

I have just been through (and still going) on what you have described. And have learnt lots. Read the 'exhaust temperatures' post. The turbo repair project ended up costing approx $1800 aussie. I recommend avoiding this if possible. You can always put a smaller or a second hand one but this may not make you really happy. Try the following first.

Start up and grey smoke... this could be injector related. How many KM has she done. If it is more than 100 000 the injectors may need some attention. Maybe a clean or replacement. Your injectors are a special type and they will cost between $125 and $200 au dollars each. Purchase a good injector cleaner and anti bacteria treatment (comes in the one bottle) and follow the instructions. Once the bottle is finished, replace the fuel filter and air filter. This may help with the grey smoke on start up. It is much cheeper than replacing the injectors. Also consider a injector pump pressure and timing check then a dyno tune.

Still going........ I do not know anyone in Auckland. I've been there a couple of times and got really drunk with a mechanic once. Cannot remember his name or where he was. That was a pretty good summary of the nite really. 'One-Hanger' goes off. hehehe

Good luck,
Pete

[Andrew]

Mines been making the same noise ever since an altercation with the worng end of a large sand dune. ( the noise that is.. no smoke )

Doesnt seem to have affected power at all.

[danbzn]

Thanks for the advice Pete, will start with that.

[matt4u2]

Hey there, My turbo was making a loud spool up noise and all the rest, it ran mint right untill the end when it blew. had 8mm movement in the shaft. one thing to check for when you take the intake side off the turbo to check the turbine is feel for movement. there should be none or very little. you ould take your turbo off and take it to any turbo shop, have it recond, comes back good as new. Or find a secondhand turbo, but then you dont know the age or anything of it. do it properly the first time.

Matt.

[Garth]

Found a name of a diesel specialist shop that do a full tune and injector clean for the 4jb1T for around $560, just got to find where I have put the piece of paper. They are out Papakura way in Auckland.
Ring around a few garages to find out prices.
Turbo noise you mentioned sounds pretty standard from what I have heard