I am having a couple different problems I believe are related, but I'd like some input from you guys. I have an 88 TII. The main problem I am having is with my turbo. It overheats very easily. I know that a glowing turbo is fairly normal, but I can get mine to glow halfway down the down pipe even after moderate acceleration. Also, even if I don't get on it hard at all, it still glows a little around the mating surface between the turbo and exhaust manifold. Another problem that I am having that I believe stems from this, is my engine overheats very easily. I think that my radiator can't keep the coolant cool enough because of my hot turbo. Yet another problem I am having is afterburn, especially when my engine is cold or when I'm shifting between high rpm's. My thinking is that I might have a slight air leak between the turbo and the exaust manifold. If there is an air leak at this spot, could it be possible for the O2 sensor to be sensing too much oxygen, thus making my car run rich, which could be making my turbo overheat (excess fuel burning in turbo) and also cause the afterburn and high engine temperatures. Do you think I should try to get my turbo and exhaust manifold resurfaced to combat a possible air leak? Sorry for the length of this

-kev

 

it is typical for the 87-88 turbo manifolds to crack.
do you have cats? maybe they could be plugged?

mike

 

the last time I had my turbo off I did notice some cracks running through the cast exhaust section of the turbo. however, none of these cracks ran the whole way through, so I don't think they could be causing an air leak. I am just wondering if maybe the mating surface is warped, causing it not to match up flush with the exhaust manifold.

-kev

 

-and i know my cat isn't plugged

 

How did you check if your cats aren't plugged?


-Ted