I know this is a pretty old thread, but I just got back from driving my car, I maybe drove it for about 8 miles, keeping boost under zero and rpms below 2500 (breaking in my engine) And I popped the hood and my turbo was bright red as well as MOST of the downpipe and some spots on the presilencer. I have not checked the timimg yet, I was going to until I saw the how red the turbo was.

 

same problem as me man, i changed the checked the timing, new plugs, changed the ecu, same **** same glow. dont know. its at my buddies house right now under investigation!

 

I was going to check the timing, but when I saw how the turbo and exhaust looked I was afraid to touch it with a ten no twenty foot pole!

I wonder if it may have something to do with running at lower speeds? because you mentioned you were breaking in your engine as well.

 

Have you taken off the TID to check the play on the turbine wheel? Maybe that's the problem. I'd also try replacing or at least removing and cleaning both the coolant and oil lines to the turbo.

 

I bet the glowing looks pretty sweet, but it can't be good, maybe its time for a rebuild.

 

I highly doubt that a rebuild of the motor is in order because the turbo is glowing. Mine used to do the same thing, I figured it was loading up on fuel. Change your plugs check timing, if that doesn't fix it, try swapping another turbo in there. That's what I did and the one in there doesn't glow at all.

- Steiner

 

I had just got the car back together about 2 weeks ago and the turbo was great. No play in any direction. I cleaned the oil and coolant lines when I had the turbo apart. I made sure when I put it back together that there was no rubbing. I also cleaned up the turbine housing inside tomake sure there was no clearance problems..

 

no idea

 

wasnt talking about motor, rebuild of the turbo