I posted this in the second gen forum, but thought I'd try here as well. What are specific symptons of a turbo on it's way out? Does smoke result from bad seals? Is the idle or anything else affected? Any other symptons? Thanks

 

Smoking can be a sign of bad turbo seals. Some turbos also make the "siren" sound. Low boost is also a sign. Smoke can come from engine seals also. I had a TII that I pulled the engine out of, because it smoked, and it turned out to be the turbo...
Don.

 

I get alot of smoke from my stock engine after I let of the gas from boosting to around 7 psi for about 3 seconds and when the engine see's vacuum after letting off the gas I will look in the reveiw mirror and see cloud nine to the rear of my car, could that be symptoms of a bad turbo?

 

Sounds like what mine did. I wouldn't promise, but sounds like time for a rebuild turbo. I have a '88 that you can send off and have rebuilt so yours and still drive your car. Let me know and we can discuss.
Don.

 

a limp shaft.

 

The shaft of the turbo should have a little up and down movement, but NO forward and back movement.

 

Another sign of seal wear is smoking upon deceleration. If you're coming to a traffic light and you're decelerating in gear and there's a bluish smoke coming out the exhaust, theres a good chance the piston ring on the turbine shaft or the bore of the center (bearing) housing itself is worn.