Was driving on motorway last nite and started experiencing a drop in boost pressure at around 4,000RPM. Then noticed a metallic sound from turbo when idling.

The car is a my UK MY99 with only 35,000miles and is regularly serviced. It has full de-cat, HKS SSQV, and Tek3 map running 17.4psi boost.

Any ideas as to why this happened on such low miles?

Is worth getting my current unit remanufactered or buy a bigger/stronger unit? Current unit i believe is TD04.

All advice and comments appreciated.

Running at the boost value you state, could well of been the cause of the failure. Has any of the impeller vanes entered the inlet manifolds? or worse still, gone any deeper? When the turbo is taken off, suggest you counts the vanes and make sure they are all "accounted for".

I have no idea about the vanes etc. The turbo is still on the car and in use. Could this cause damage to anything other than the turbo?

Am looking maybe now for a stronger turbo unit.

"IF" any of the turbo vanes have either broken off or disintegrated, they can be sucked into the engine. They can then cause major damage to the valves, piston heads, cylinder bores.
Sorry, but the longer you run this motor without a full inspection, you are risking a possible engine rebuild if this proves right.

You seriously need to inspect the turbo vanes and see if all intact before having to make the decision to have the engine removed. if you continue to drive this around without checking it out fully, you are taking a risk that may cost you hard in the wallet.

Checking it out now is not much to do, having an engine repair bill this side of Xmas will be a bit sore to sit on I can tell you!
Definately NOT "Asda Price" anywhere.

Me thinks I should take it to a garage ASAP following your advice.

Cheers, for advice

Intercooler should catch most big bits - my OE tmic still has half a vf23 blade embedded in it somewhere....

Richard

Bob Tried to send reply to your E-mail

NO joy.

Let you calm down a bit first.

Know how I felt when my engine/ turbo blew.

Steve

Steve,

No idea why no joy with email.

My number is 07929 033 185. Txt me your number and I will give you a call.

Regards,

bob

I have had a similar problem @ 40k miles.

I run @ 18psi and @ croft earlier this year the boost kept dropping off and i had a rattling noise like u have. I discovered that the waste gate mechanism inside the turbo had failed and the rattling noise was due to the flap on the exhaust intake working loose. This was more expensive to repair than replace, so i bought a second hand turbo off midland impreza. Fixed the problem and the turbo has been perfect since.

sly

Sly,

which turbo did u replace it with and how much was it?

i replaced mine with another td04, cost about £170 + vat from midland impreza, came with all the pipes and the actuator (a bargin i thought)

sly

I've just replaced the TD04L on my RB5 in error and as such have a second hand and 'perfect' grrrr turbo sat doing nothing, has done 63k miles, It's only gonna gather dust so up for grabs cheap if you need it at all.

LD

[Edited by LittleDarren - 10/17/2003 8:54:31 PM]

Darren,

Just secured a purchase of a VF34...Doh!

Not to worry :) I'll keep it in stock! Ya never know do ya ;o)

[Edited by LittleDarren - 10/18/2003 2:52:00 PM]

Darren,

How much you after for your TD04?


bob

Have emailed you Bob.