Well, my turbo stopped spinning.. need some input, Intercooler = cause? Options

[mark_426]

Intro: Well, I took my car to celicagurl152003 and had quite a bit of expense put into it.

Throughout the work to my car, the intercooler "could not be installed" and I was told the car would be "fine, if not better" without it, due to the length of the piping. Ok, so I drive it home, seemed to run fine, minus something occasionally that seemed like a backfire if I punched it and tried to run the rev's up in the current gear.

Regardless, I was doing some electrical work this past weeked (7-10th), and I finished some of the electrical up, and got the battery charged, and went for a drive. THis is when I first noticed no boost. After it cooled and such, looked at it a bit, and asked some opinions of some of the alltrac people locally, didnt really get anywhere. Anyway, I had to change oil, and some other stuff under the hood, and finished that up, pulled it out my driveway, turned around, still no boost.

So, the real question: Anyway, my turbo currently will work about 10* back and forth from its current location, and then it feels like it hits an obstruction. It turns freely for the few degrees it does turn, but will turn no further.

What would cause this? Is it easily fixable? Would it be related to having no intercooler?


Heres a pic of the engine bay as it was until the turbo stopped functioning:

[shin]

you need a intercooler and new turbo!!

[lagos]

how long did u drive without and intercooler and did u boost the car at all without one?

[mark_426]

I have the intercooler - it is currently installed. They just didnt put it in nor plumb it for me..

I drove it for under 200 miles without it, and boosting to around 9psi (a little over .6 bar.. where they set it and said to use it)

editx2:

Any suggestions for a new turbo (see below)

I talked to shin about it a little bit - dont take it the wrong way. I'm trying to make a case for myself.



This post has been edited by mark_426: Oct 14, 2005 - 6:16 PM

[lagos]

well.. .that probably killed it. compressor surge or some type of heating issue or somthing is responsible for it.

you should NEVER boost without and intecooler. you risk major damage to yor motor.i could understand if you had that hookup just to baby the car home with no boost, but you shouldnt have been boosting at all with it.

why are you having somone else work on your car? your really need to know all you can and do your own work if you own a swaped or turbo celica.

[Rjb23]

Uhmm yea turbo + no intercooler = dun dun duhh!

[mark_426]

I had them rebuild the motor while they were painting it. Made things a little easier, or so I thought.

If I could go back, I'd buy phats car, and swap it myself. DMC gave me rod knock, bad axles, cracked radiator, bad tires, cracked bumper, and some other cool stuff. At least the turbo worked.

I replaced a lot of stuff myself thus far.. and its looking like I'm going to become a lot more familliar with it.

[jgreening]

I don't think running without an intercooler would hurt the turbo. The turbo discharges hot air and the intercooler is in between the turbo outlet and the throttle body. The problem with the turbo more likely occurred as a result of running without a blow off valve.

That said, I agree with what other people have said about running the 3s without an intercooler. You are asking for knock and eventually detonation when you fail to cool air. Luckily, the stock ECU is pretty good at controlling timing when it senses knock which has probably saved you thus far but you are a blown knock sensor away from catastrophe. You really should CEASE running the car until you have a capable intercooler.

Good luck.

This post has been edited by jgreening: Oct 14, 2005 - 7:55 PM

[Rjb23]

Stock st185 do not have blow off valves.

[mark_426]

I did/do have a BOV though... and it was first set wrong, and then I reset it after I got the car home.

[jgreening]

Stock st185 do not have blow off valves.
[right][snapback]344734[/snapback][/right]

This is true but not really informative. Its one of the only turbo cars without a stock bypass valve (which serves the same purpose as a blow off valve). If you plan to run more than 7psi, you will significantly compromise the longevity of your turbo without a BOV or bypass valve.

[jgreening]

I did/do have a BOV though... and it was first set wrong, and then I reset it after I got the car home.
[right][snapback]344735[/snapback][/right]

I see no BOV in that pic.

This post has been edited by jgreening: Oct 14, 2005 - 7:57 PM

[GT4WRC]

It is quite feasible to run a turbo without an intercooler. However, only if the boost is 6psi maximum. Below that figure, an intercooler will not offer any gains.
There have been several big car manufacturers over the years which have produced a turbocharged production model without an i/c fitted. But the boost has always been 6psi on less.

Take your induction pipe off the turbo and start the car. You will be able to see if the turbine is spinning or not.
Gary

[lagos]

Take your induction pipe off the turbo and start the car. You will be able to see if the turbine is spinning or not.
Gary
[right][snapback]344745[/snapback][/right]

not on our 2nd gen afm based cars...haha

[mark_426]

I have it off, and I cannot turn it with my fingers...

[jgreening]

Thanks for pointing it out...I have never seen that kind of BOV before. Are you saying that you were running the car without it or when it wasn't operational?

[mark_426]

The BOV has been hooked up all along. However, the spring setting was set too low, and the valve would open too easily. I adjusted it after I picked the car up, and was working fine.

Its also th same bov as


http://www.6gc.net/images/member_photos/939_7.jpg

http://www.6gc.net/images/member_photos/2526_2.jpg

This post has been edited by mark_426: Oct 14, 2005 - 9:09 PM

[GT4WRC]

Take your induction pipe off the turbo and start the car. You will be able to see if the turbine is spinning or not.
Gary
[right][snapback]344745[/snapback][/right]

not on our 2nd gen afm based cars...haha
[right][snapback]344748[/snapback][/right]

[jgreening]

Gary, many of us running swaps are using the Gen II 3sgte due to parts availability in the states. If you take off the intake piping with the AFM, the car won't start. This can be done with the Gen III but not with the Gen II do to the AFM.

[mark_426]

Guys, can I run the car with the turbo not spinning? Would it hurt the turbo to keep running the car?

Is there any way to mke the wastegate stay open? Would it be better/ok then?