Omg I Think My Turbo Is Failing

[Lazer92]

Hey I think I have a problem, my boost gauge on my 92 laser doesnt fully boost. What I mean to say is that when i have the accelerater fully depressed and am at I high rpm the gauge only goes between 0.5 and 1, I dont know if its the gauge itself that is faulty or what .... but if anyone has any ideas plz tell me...... i really dont want to loose my turbo..... so much ..... power .......

 

[Enigma_Man]

Well, in response to your very vague question, with very little description of what you have in your car, I have this to say:

If you're using the stock boost gauge, it sucks. It doesn't actually display boost. It displays what the ECU estimates boost probably is, and it's a pretty poor estimation.

If you want to check and see if your turbo is dying do this:

Pull of the rubber accordion thing leading to the inlet of the turbo. You'll need to disconnect the BOV recirculation tube, and a couple other hoses leading to the accordion. Just pull out the whole thing attached to the MAF, it's easier that way. Make sure you find the rubber cylinder that goes around the turbo inlet (sometimes it sticks in the tube, sometimes it sticks around the turbo, just make sure it goes back when you put it back on). Reach in to feel the turbine (all of this while the car is off of course). You should feel an axle with a nut on it, and the turbine blades behind it. The turbo is okay to move around its axis a little bit (like a millimeter back and forth is normal, I believe), but it should not move in and out along its axis at all (towards the left and right side of the car). If it has tons of radial play, or any lateral play, its probably on its way out. Personally, I'd just keep maintaining the car well, and it might not die on you, but ya never know. It'd be dumb to replace something that isn't broken yet.

-Jesse