Wounded Warrior car-bad coolant seals/block. Cheap fix? Sell it? (Pics) HELP PLEASE!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 21
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From: Brandywine, MD
Wounded Warrior car-bad coolant seals/block. Cheap fix? Sell it? (Pics) HELP PLEASE!!
I posted the other day asking about a turbo rebuild for my newly acquired 80k mile '88 Turbo II 10th Anniversary Edition, because I was guessing it was a turbo seal failure. I assumed this because, while the car ran pretty well, it smoked like crazy once warmed up (dense white smoke that kind of lingers). Last night I spent some time checking it out, and found that the fan is missing several sequential blades, and the fan clutch is shot to the point that I stopped the fan with my hand while it was running, and it stayed stopped. It also has a pinhole in the heater hose, where it goes to the block on the driver's side. Compression was 115 psi in the front rotor (top plug), and 108 in the rear. I took off the turbo-to-IC rubber hose and it was dry inside, which would likely kill my turbo seal theory. It revs nicely and sounds healthy, but as soon as it starts to warm up, it starts smoking like crazy.
I was going to use it for a 24 Hours of LeMons Wounded Warrior Project charity fundraiser car at Summit Point in June. If it needs a full rebuild, I won't have the time or money to do it by then. I know about the coolant seal/block temporary fix, but I have a hard time believing that would last long under grueling endurance racing conditions, especially under boost. Am I wrong yet again? Could the coolant go from the turbo to the exhaust? The engine oil looks clean and fresh. The coolant leaks down from the hose, and from the engine consumption I'm guessing, but when I top it off, it looks fine. There was no blowby pressure or smoke when I pulled the oil fill cap when it was started cold. Once it warmed up, you could see the vapor swirling in the oil fill pipe, though it didn't seem to have any pressure.
My guess is the previous owner ran it hot, cooked the seals, and parked it. It's a shame---it has a great body except for the serious hail damage on the top surfaces, a full custom exhaust with nice stainless mufflers/tips, a Racing Beat boost guage/controller, a K&N filter, and brand new NGK-R plugs. Someone spent some money on it at some point. I got it from a buddy who scraps cars with keys but no title, though I'm sure a title could be acquired. It has a black leather interior. Is there a cheap/easy fix that would likely last under racing conditions? If not, what's it worth in this condition? You can hear the turbo working, and the clutch feels great. Tires are dry-rotted though.
I need to decide quickly what to do with it. The Wounded Warrior Project helps our injured veterans tremendously, and is a great cause. I'm looking to raise a bunch of money for them, and the 24 Hours of LeMons staff is going to help by giving my charity car free entry, pushing it heavily through emails/articles/media outlets. I can't field a well-publicized charity car that only lasts a few laps, especially when drivers will be bidding on seats in it.
Coolant seal/block fix? Sell it? Value? If you know these cars, I need your advice!
I was going to use it for a 24 Hours of LeMons Wounded Warrior Project charity fundraiser car at Summit Point in June. If it needs a full rebuild, I won't have the time or money to do it by then. I know about the coolant seal/block temporary fix, but I have a hard time believing that would last long under grueling endurance racing conditions, especially under boost. Am I wrong yet again? Could the coolant go from the turbo to the exhaust? The engine oil looks clean and fresh. The coolant leaks down from the hose, and from the engine consumption I'm guessing, but when I top it off, it looks fine. There was no blowby pressure or smoke when I pulled the oil fill cap when it was started cold. Once it warmed up, you could see the vapor swirling in the oil fill pipe, though it didn't seem to have any pressure.
My guess is the previous owner ran it hot, cooked the seals, and parked it. It's a shame---it has a great body except for the serious hail damage on the top surfaces, a full custom exhaust with nice stainless mufflers/tips, a Racing Beat boost guage/controller, a K&N filter, and brand new NGK-R plugs. Someone spent some money on it at some point. I got it from a buddy who scraps cars with keys but no title, though I'm sure a title could be acquired. It has a black leather interior. Is there a cheap/easy fix that would likely last under racing conditions? If not, what's it worth in this condition? You can hear the turbo working, and the clutch feels great. Tires are dry-rotted though.
I need to decide quickly what to do with it. The Wounded Warrior Project helps our injured veterans tremendously, and is a great cause. I'm looking to raise a bunch of money for them, and the 24 Hours of LeMons staff is going to help by giving my charity car free entry, pushing it heavily through emails/articles/media outlets. I can't field a well-publicized charity car that only lasts a few laps, especially when drivers will be bidding on seats in it.
Coolant seal/block fix? Sell it? Value? If you know these cars, I need your advice!
fix the hose and do the champagne test. if the seals are toast http://www.irontite.com/store/index....&products_id=1 then irontite ceramic seal works and you can beat it all you want if done right.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Brandywine, MD
What's it worth? I'll sell it right now. If one of you wants a race car or project, I take paypal, and I can store it until you are able to come get it. 80K original miles!!! NICE aftermarket exhaust (looks like an entire new system), Racing Beat gauge/controller with underdash pod/good 5 speed, good clutch, 16" rims. anniversary edition, black leather. Who knows, maybe the ceramic seal stuff will totally fix it. I'm not gonna bother, because I can't risk it crapping out on the track under extended boost conditions in mid Jun heat.
$$$?
$$$?
I would not put anything in the radiator. The previous owner of the 88 T2 I had dumped some kind of sealer in the radiator because it had a small leak. Plugged up the rear coolant passage and overheated the motor. Turned an engine with a small leak into junk.
