what's the trick to removing the turbocharger?
 

Hey Hey,
I'm trying to replace the turbo inlet gasket, but now, I'm stumped. I'm trying to get the downpipe off the turbo outlet, but there is no way to get a wrench on the top nut.
Anybody know how you're supposed to do this? The Haynes manual says to remove the front catalytic converter then "Lift off the turbocharger assembly". It doesn't appear that there is a way to get to the top-right nut on the turbo inlet flange in order to remove the turbo & downpipe together either.

The exhaust is Racing Beat Rev TII complete.

Ideas?

Thanks!

- k -

One 14mm wrench can reach it, little at a time until it is loose enough to finger remove that 3rd nut. A 14MM on a wobble and long extension working up from the bottom works as well.

You'll need to remove the air pump as the only way I've seen to exit the stock turbo out of the engine bay is forward. It's a tedious pita to r & r that thing. I've got to get in there myself as I've got an exhaust leak somewhere between the manifold and turbo to fix as well. Not looking forward to it, and actually considering letting the local shop deal with it for that tedious reason.

Be careful not to nick a water hose in the process.

Thanks, I'll give this a try. The air pump isn't a problem, as it's been removed. previous owner was working on a street rod and put in an LTX12 with appropriate accessories. Also, I plan on putting in a Koyo radiator, so have used this occasion to do all; the engine bay is quite disassembled at this time.

Anyway, I appreciate your suggestion and will let y'all know what happens.

- k -

okay. this is a pain. on this Racing Beat downpipe, there is not enough clearance between the side of the nut and the pipe. I can't fit a socket wrench or box-end over it.

Do I have to remove the turbo and downpipe together?

- k -

finally got it. had to pound the socket onto the nut. came loose pretty easily after that. carrying on...

- k -

Now the turbo itself is the problem; I can get the 14mm box-end on the nut, but there's no room to turn it. Thinking about cutting the open-end off one of my wrenches.

Any other suggestions?

- k -

okay...I now have a new tool in my toolbox; it's a Turbo-inlet-top-front-flange-nut-remover. It consists of a Craftsman 14mm combination wrench with the open-end cut off.

did the trick...turbo is out.

- k -

Its easier to just remove the turbo while its still attached to the manifold.

yeah taking off the manifold before the turbo is a bad idea.

I'm just trying to replace the turbo inlet gasket, so that joint would have to be disassembled anyway. also, don't have a replacement manifold gasket, so didn't want to disturb it.

I have to say that taking all this stuff apart gives me a mental image of those Japanese engineers with three elbows on each arm