Help!!!
My 1986 Pontiac Sunbird GT Turbo is running great but ever since I had emergency repairs to the oil pump on the road it will not boost. It was leaking pretty good but I caught it before the level dropped very far. When I returned home the dealership was kind enough to replace the turbo unit before the mechanic admitted he had never seen one before. Replacement did not help. I have good vacuum pressure in both ranges and have replaced the boost solonoid but that did not help either. The boost indicator in the dash rarely goes more than a whisker into the positive(+) range.
There were apparently only three of these built and I have two. (one for parts) There are no living mechanics in the Atlanta/Chattanooga who know anything about this system, much less enough to troubleshoot, and it rarely appears in fixit manuals. I have sent so many emails asking for help without reply that I thought my email was broken. Please help me!!! Can anyone make a recommendation as to actions or resources to help me resolve this issue? One question; Where does the signal that activates the boost solonoid originate and how does it know when the time is right?
TooFreds
Turbo/Boost problems
Moderators: daewoomofo, Moderators Group
Sunbird without a boost
TooFreds
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GsiTurbo
- Super Moderator
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There are only two reasons why your turbo is not making any boost:
- the boost is not being made (damaged turbo)
- you have a boost leak
You did mention problems with the oil pump. THe worst-case scenario is that your turbo experienced the oil starvation and/or no lubrication. The bearing might be coked and/or damaged. You should remove the air intake pipe from the turbo (TURN THE ENGINE OFF OR YOU MAY LOOSE SOME FINGERS) and check if the compressor wheel turns freely. It should. If it does not, flush the engine with good quality engine flush - this will help remove some of the carbon build up. Then replace oil with high quality semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic (they are much better when it comes to the thermal brake-down inside the turbo - #1 killer of all the turbos). If the turbo still fails to turn freely, you will need a new turbocharger.
If above is all good and you still have not boost, check the silicone couplers for cracks and loose metal clamps. Replace as required.
Hope this will help.
- the boost is not being made (damaged turbo)
- you have a boost leak
You did mention problems with the oil pump. THe worst-case scenario is that your turbo experienced the oil starvation and/or no lubrication. The bearing might be coked and/or damaged. You should remove the air intake pipe from the turbo (TURN THE ENGINE OFF OR YOU MAY LOOSE SOME FINGERS) and check if the compressor wheel turns freely. It should. If it does not, flush the engine with good quality engine flush - this will help remove some of the carbon build up. Then replace oil with high quality semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic (they are much better when it comes to the thermal brake-down inside the turbo - #1 killer of all the turbos). If the turbo still fails to turn freely, you will need a new turbocharger.
If above is all good and you still have not boost, check the silicone couplers for cracks and loose metal clamps. Replace as required.
Hope this will help.
__________________________
2002 Lanos 1.5 SOHC... stock!!!
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pontiacjeff
- Posts: 78
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