I recently tested my compression and it seemed good to me at about 99 psi in one and about 101 psi in the other, both with 3 even bounces. So I was pretty confident that my car was going to last a while and then it occured to me that my turbo is probably decently close to going out (I don't think the guy who owned it before me treated the turbo very good). Its a '87 with just over 85K on it. I would miss my turbo but could certainly live without it, the question is, can my car? When the turbo goes out, will my car still run and be alright? I know it will be signigantly slower due to the lack of a turbo but seeing as how I have no money, thats ok. Thanks!

 

um, it needs the turbo.

Mine is 145,000 on my 87TII and still running strong, Turbo and all... (minus the engine fire)

 

The car will not run without the turbo. If the turbo goes, park the car. It sounds like the motor is strong, don't mess it up trying to drive it with a roached turbo.

HOWEVER... you'r turbo is probably fine at 85K. Scrounge up some money for a turbo timer if you don't have one already, that will help lengthen its lifespan.

Here's what you do. Take the snorkel off the front of the turbo and reach in there and wiggle the shaft on the compressor wheel around. Its going to move a little bit, ,a little bit is normal. The turbo spins on a film of oil while its running, when the car is off, there is no oil film there and you will have some play. A LOT of slop, i mean like its flopping around in there when you touch it is a bad thing. But what would feel like a little bump bump side to side is OK.

Change your oil every 1500-2000 miles and don't do any mods to your car, take care of it, and it should last you another at least 60K before it needs an overhaul.

 

Since when? You don't NEED the turbo at all, it'll run fine without it as long as you take the bad turbo (if it even is, doesn't sound like it, though) and fab up a little pipe. It won't have very much power, but it'll work fine.