14b Turbo issue

[Maelthras]

I am looking for alittle help, I used to be a member here but seem to be a probation again. Which sucks since I can't post on the appropriate forums.

Alright the issue is I am looking to buy a 96 eagle talon tsi, the guy lives about 70 miles away and told me of an issue with his car so I want to compare what he's saying.

He had just replaced the trans, engine, and turbo. The turbo wastegate is the problem, he had put a 14b in and said something about the wastegate poping out or something, and that he would need to drill a hole and put something in to keep it on. So when it pops off the turbo loses all pressure. Is this a real problem or can it be fixed as easily as he made it sound. Sorry I am not able to give better specifics but it was over the phone.

 

[1SloEvo]

Sounds like what he is saying is the arm of the actuator is popping off of the post it attaches to on the outside of the hotside. There should already be a hole in it that you put a pin through to make sure it stays on. If the arm were to pop off, then yes, the wastegate flapper would open and you would not be able to make any boost...so this does make sense. However, there should already be a hole there to put a pin though.

 

[Maelthras]

Well he said he theres a new downpipe and exhuats components, he said he would have to drill a hole so that sounds alot like what he was talking about. How much of an issue is this to fix?

And thanks for any responses, am seriously considering this car but don't want to be working on it.

 

[1SloEvo]

Exhaust components don't change the turbine housing of the turbo itself. Even if the turbo is running a 7cm hotside or something bigger like from an Evo III turbo, it still has the wastegate flapper with a post that sticks out to the outside which is where the arm of the wastegate actuator connects. This piece should be unchanged regardless if the o2 housing or any other part of the exhaust is changed...unless someone wanted to go to an external wastegate setup. If so, they may have cut the wastegate flapper out and are trying to rig one back on the turbo. Tell him to send you some pics and post them up.

 

[Maelthras]

Well I talked to the kid and he said something about a cable and a spring going to a lever for the wastegate. Sorry I am so vague, don't really know what he was talking about but he will be sending me pictures.

 

[JusMX141]

The factory cotter pin rusted away and is broken off inside the hole on the actuator lever. You'll either need to heat it up and try to drive it out with a pick, or carefully drill this out with a 1/16" bit....but if you flex the drill at all you'll snap the bit off in the hole and you'll really be fuct.

 

[Maelthras]

Wow thanks everyone for the info and help, I still don't know about getting the car even if he can fix it. Says theres lifter tick but he has a head for it, newer engine and manual tranmission He wants 3k for it, he did have it posted for 4k but he had no bites. It does look clean but am still alittle unsure.
Heres the post for the car if anyone has any advice as this would be my first dsm.

1996 awd turbo talon eclipse

 

[gusu]

I'm not 100% on your turbo issue so I'm leaving that for Justin to help you on.

Lifter tick is totally normal for these cars. They have stupid thin oil passages, so stupid thin they made a revision that is known as a 3g lifter. The head he has may include these revised lifters.

Aww man I don't know I just read his Craigslist post and it does not look like a good deal. I'd pass on it.

Rusted strut towers is a hell no in my book even fixed since it could be a bad job. The car has issues he hasn't fixed and he's selling it. That sounds like he can't fix them and If he can't fix them himself who knows what else is wrong.

 

[Maelthras]

Yeah I know, he said he put a newer engine in along with transmission. He offered to fix the turbo with me there and he wanted me to go through the car and have a friend of mine that knows these types of cars to come with. So there are some not so good parts but others indicate that it's a good car so I am not at all sure.

He also said that the aftermarket oil gauge doesn't work but the stock one does on the dash, but since the turbo is hooked up to the main oil line I don't think that is much of a problem, just would have to go by the stock one. He also had the car cleaned in anticipation so he seems to think I will want it.

The other car I was looking at was a dodge stealth es that looked very clean and solid. Or a 95 camero z28 with a LT1 corvette engine swap with some clutch work needed.