What to check for Turbocharger not working?

Question

I have a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron with a 4 cyl with turbo. Ive noticed the pick up it used to have is gone.. which tells me the turbo is not working. What usually causes this and what should I look for? Thanks

Answer 1

well, first the symtoms. Is there black smoke from the tailpipe? If yes, suspect turbo. if no, then probably not. But to be sure, pull the charge air pipe from the turbo and check the fan for play in thebearing, both side to side endplay and forward to back endplay. Next check the condition of the blades. If they are chipped, nicked or cracked, then replace the turbo. Next check the amount of oil in your intake piping. A thin opaque film inside the pipes is ok, but if it collects on the end of your finger in a puddle after a finger sweep, then the turbo is slobbering too much oil into the intake. This is bad. Replace turbo. If after this the turbo is ok, then check the air filter and all seals and gaskets on the intake piping. If this appears to be ok, check for exhaust leaks.. Turbos spin on exhaust gases, so if there is a leak, it wont turn fast enough and wont create enough boost. The final check is to check your valve adjustment. Dont be fooled, just because your valves dont clack or tick doesnt mean they arent out of adjustment. If these points dont turn anything up, there is probably another issue. If you need more help, email me at [e-mail].

Answer 2

Chrysler turbos from this era are notorious for failure. I knew a guy who replaced the turbo 3 times in his LeBaron, but he drove hard, fast, and a lot. Not much you can do but use quality motor oil, let the turbo cool down before shutting the engine off, and just be careful. You can put a boost guage in the intake manifold to confirm what you think.

Answer 3

Usually, it is heat and not changing the oil. The bearings in the turbo get real hot and that is why it is so necessary to let the engine idle down for a little before you turn the engine off. The oil will bake inside the turbo and it will clog the opening and then starve the bearing for oil. Then the bearing goes bad and locks up the turbo and the vanes will not spin.

Neighbor did this, I cleaned out the gunk in the oil line and got the turbo going. Told him to watch the oil pressure and check the oil level. If the oil seal is gone it will suck the oil right out of the engine. In about 4 days later, I saw a wrecker haul the guys car home and put it in his driveway. He had ran the car out of oil and locked up the engine. He didn't bother with checking the oil.

He wound up getting another car and this one did not have a turbo.

good luck, dude.

Answer 4

abuse.

a new turbo.