Big16G caused Coolant Line Leak

[Smoothie97]

I've been running a Big16G for only 10 months now on my 2G. As we all know, the fitment of that turbo is super tight. So tight that it ruptured coolants lines. I used the Forced Performance B16G with their install kit. The problem with this turbo is that one of the bolts on the exhaust side of the turbo, touchs the long, coolant steel line (running from radiator cap to oil cooler, behind turbo and exhaust manifold).

I guess after 10 months of running this setup, that steel line (mitsubishi diagram part 04341, which is rare to get from dealer) ruptured due to the heat from the turbo bolt.

To replace this stinkin' line, the mechanic had to take off the turbo and exhaust manifold. Then he welded up the puncture and wrapped it in some rubber fuel hose stuff. I think he said he bent the line a little bit too to get it away from the turbo. $330 fix. I think Mitsubishi made a design error when they decided to run coolant lines across the hottest areas of the car.

My concern was that the mechanic didn't replace any of the gaskets: header-exhaust manifold, manifold-turbo, or turbo-O2 housing. He used some orange copper sealant stuff and reused the old gaskets. I was going to call him and make sure he gets new gaskets but too late...he stayed after hours to finish up the car. Will I be okay with used gaskets?

If my ruptured occured due to the bolt on the turbo, I can't imagine how guys running bigger turbos deal with this problem.

 

[90CherryTSI]

If so 10 months is nothing on new gaskets. You're fine. Those gaskets arent like a head gasket or a valve cover gasket. As long as none of them look shredded, you may have wanted to use some sealant anyway. Hell my car is 14 yrs old and the o2-dp gasket still looked OK, not that I'd reuse it but if I had replaced it 10 months ago it's fine. Just look at it, most of those gaskets are like 4-5 bolts and you can always pull em off and look at it anyway. I say you're fine. Any MINOR leaks in those areas are nothing that's going to cause your motor to lock up. Look at all the ppl who drive around with cracked mani's....do you notice any performance changes? hear anything weird? I say those gaskets are not major like others.

 

[Smoothie97]

Yeah, the gaskets on the turbo were replaced. But my header-exhaust manifold gasket has 92,000 miles on it! And the mechanic re-used the old one. Man, I would've spent the $20 to get a new one just to be safe. Too late now though.

 

[90CherryTSI]

to replace it, I think 8 for the head to mani and 4 for the mani to turbo, 3 for the heat shield I think. You could prob do it in a hour or two at most

 

[Omega]

Your problem didn't happen because of the 16G, it is just a crap location for a hose. What happend to you is the reason I now have a 16G in my car.

Don't worry about the gaskets. If there was a problem they would leak right off the bat.

 

[Enigma_Man]

Yeah, if the old gaskets work just fine, then you've nothing to worry about. If they work, they work, it's not like they really degrade at all.

-Jesse