14b install problems - assistance please

[u0006812]

Car - 1990 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo Manual Transmission
Problem – 14b not working, no boost, not spinning at all – turbo is seized up.
Steps:
1. Did a boost leak test and replaced a couple hoses.
2. Bought a used but rebuilt and balance 14b from ebay. Spins freely, no shaft play, seems to be in good working condition.
3. Drained the oil and coolant, removed and cleaned the intercooler, replaced the plugs.
4. Removed old 14b (not exhaust manifold just turbo unit).
5. Installed new 14b.
6. Refilled the coolant and oil.
7. Started the car and let it idle and topped off the coolant.
8. After about 5 minutes the turbo started smoking on the exhaust side where the turbo connects to the exhaust housing. It looks like the smoke is coming out where the 2 piece ring is that attaches the turbo to the exhaust. My next was to do a leak test but I also noticed that when I press the gas there is no boost at all.
9. I turned of the engine because I didn't want to damage the turbo.
10. I removed the air intake hose from the turbo to make sure it still spun freely and it did.
Next I plan on checking the oil and coolant flow to the turbo to make sure they are indeed flowing through.
I am looking for some feedback to see if anyone can provide me with any pointers on what the problem might be or what to check next.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Joel

 

[ddavisaf]

Everytime you replace a turbo you must prime the new turbo. I do this by removing the injector harnesses and remove the plug wires from the coil pack. Then I crank the car for 10 seconds and stop. Wait 5 to 7 seconds, and crank it again for 10 seconds. Once more and I quit and put everything back together. This ensures the turbo is properly lubricated upon start up.
Failure to do this can cause a turbo to seize due to lack of lubrication. Unfortunately you found out the hard way

 

[ddavisaf]

I also always check the oil feed line before I install it. (SS Oil Feed Line).
I do this by getting everything back together, then without hooking up the feed line I prepare to prime the turbo with the steps above. First though I crank the car over with the oil feed line disconnected and sitting in a container to catch the oil it should spew out. I do this to make sure that my oil pump is working and my lines aren't clogged.

 

[idt512]

did you use new gaskets? its normal for gaskets to smoke during the initial start-up, it will smoke for about 10-15 minutes... also, what color is the smoke or what does it smell like? new gaskets will smoke in a white color

 

[GSTdude06]

Can you explain that process again? Priming the turbo. I dont quite understand. Sorry.

 

[DSMvroom]

priming the turbo basically involves starting the car, except you don't want the motor to start.

you disconnect the injectors so that it doesn't flood the cylinders.
i don't know why it is necessary to unplug the plug wires.

esentially what is happening is the oil pump is being worked by the starter and feeding oil to the turbo. at this time no exhaust gas is passing through so the turbine does not spin so no friction is created, but oil is being fed as if the car was actuallly running.

the point is so that when exhaust gasses do start to spin the turbine, there is already oil inside the turbo to lubricate so that it does not heat up and seize.

i think on vfaq it actually also tells you to drop some oil into the turbo before you even throw it on. obviously oil will probably spill out but at least some is in there already.

*edit* you might want to go ahead and pull off your intake and try to spin the compressor wheel with your fingers just to see if it even did seize.

 

[diddy456]

10. I removed the air intake hose from the turbo to make sure it still spun freely and it did.

Joel

As long as you didn't seize it you should be fine.

This time put some oil on it.

 

[BitAddict]

Can't you just pull the mpi fuse and plugs like when doing a compression check?

-Bit

 

[MrBoxx]

Pulling the two triangular coil pack plugs works too.

 

[danyz250f]

i put my brand new 16g on and used all new gaskets and primed the turbo and every thing but when i started it itsmoked and thick white smoke came out the exhaust for like a half an hour. it was like the batmobile

 

[MrBoxx]

That could just be the anti-seize burning off.

 

[fwdeclipse]

Were you driving it when you had no boost,you cannot build boost in idle unless you rev it to fuel cut.Go drive it then see if it boosts.

 

[luvmygst]

You can also prime the turbo by starting the car and holding the compressor wheel still. Just long enough to get oil flowing. The car wont run great because you have to unhook the maf. but all you want to do is get the oil flowing and it just takes a few seconds. As far as no boost you will not see boost untill you have a load on the motor. I.E. driving. Just get the turbo primed and go for a little drive and watch you gauges. Good luck.