Ok, my bro has a 90' DSM turbo. His car recently died and i'm pretty sure it was the alternator. he is trying to tell me its the turbo, but when i jumped the car to get it started it ran and then i turned on the lights, the whole car dimmed and died. I told him that i would look at the turbo, but i really don't know where to start. What are some good ways to trouble shoot a turbo?
THX
-Abe

EDIT: he also said somthing about a ticking noise b4 it died, and said somthing about he wasn't feeling boost after 3000rpms. But, i know when that car was cold it would make a slight ticking noise. Also on my other friends 93 DSM 4WD it also has a slight tick in the car while it is cold, both cars however after being warmed up would not tick at all.
THX AGAIN
-Abe

[This message has been edited by Abe91Z28 (edited December 09, 2000).]

 

My company specializes in DSM's. The turbo 4G63 engine is known for it's loud ticking lifters, especially when cold. As far as the turbo is concerned, if he was not making boost over 3000 rpms there are a couple possibilities. Check for vacuum leaks, especially near the bypass valve. Next, remove the air intake. Wiggle the compressor wheel shaft for excessive play. There WILL be some. Just see if it is flopping around. Look for oil leaks around the turbo center section. It may need a new seal. 89-94 models had poor oil feed because they receive oil from the top of the cylinder head. If the turbo is shot, we can rebuild it for around $300 for a new cartridge. I also have a stainless, braided oil feed line upgrade for $90 that picks up oil from the filter housing/cooler...
Call me (Dan) at 630-801-1417 ext.108 www.hrchahnracecraft.com www.turbosystem.com

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1989 Formula, 383", DFI, Mini-Ram, S-Trim Vortech, blah, blah...
Best ET: 10.796 @ 125.8 mph

TURBO 406 PROJECT STARTED!!!

Other expensive hobby: assault weapons/shooting sports

Employed at:
Hahn Racecraft
Accel EMIC/DFI Tuning
Turbosystems & Custom EFI

Member of Midwest F-Body Association
www.mfba.org

 

I think that the computer could be doing funny things with the engine and not allowing the motor to get enough exhaust volume to generate boost? If the alternator is dieing the computer may go into a limp mode and kill all timing. the computer may also regulate the boost. this means that the computer may be killing all boost because it does not see enough voltage. put a volt meter on that alternator see what it is putting out. start there man. When you get the car bak on the road then worry about turbo problems.

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90 iroc l98
last season best corected 13.62 @102
mods
full exhaust, AFPR, pulley, jet stage 1 chip, billet servo, 52mm throttle body and a few other little things.

 

Even with the boost solenoid unplugged that turbo should get around 7 PSI boost. If it's less than that check it out

Get the alternator rebuilt (don't buy a Pep-Boys special, there's a reason they're so cheap) and you should be okay. For a quick and dirty test, get the car running and check voltage at the battery, hit the lights snd see how far it drops. Most ECUs lose their mind below about 11-12 volts and it it's dropping below that the car will die.

Also, check output at the alternator hot wire. You should see something around 14-14.5 volts output with it running over 2K RPMs

The caps in the ECU are known to die over time but the symptoms are very different than what you're seeing. Check out www.dsm.org for more info on that.

There's a lot of DSM message boards out there that can give you more vehicle specific info than this board can. try www.notabusinessracing.org for a start

Rob_O

 

Guys, thanks for all the help. I put the alternator in his car this last weekend, and that was the problem. i test drove it and it kicked its 11psi of boost and spun them in 2nd too (the car is pretty fast for a 4cyl!) So, then i knew it wasn't the turbo. Also i kinda modified the air canister thingie, and took off the silencer for the turbo last weekend. Now u can hear the turbo spool a little better (is there a way to make that louder?) also when i took the air horn thingie and cut the air canister a little bit, i noticed its kicking a little more boost then normal, and also feels sronger. So, now i'm thinking would an aftermarket "fresh air" intake be a major SOTP notice for this car? I really like this DSM and now i think i might get one as a daily driver in spring, and have the camaro as my crusining/racer.
Thanks again for the help,
-Abe

EDIT: GMI i visited your page, and that airbox mod looks great, now its going to give me somthing to do! mind kind of looks like that, but i didn't cut off as much. Also, i'm actively looking for a DSM turbo now i really like turbo powered car. Almost as much as i like the camaro!x

EDIT#2: i'm at work, and my bro just called and told me that the car is steaming from the coolant resivour(sp?) and that he is getting an orange light that looks like a UFO, Any clues on what that could be? ( he really needs to pick up a hanyes or chilton's today!)


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1991 Z28 305 TPI.

Mods: Hypertech Airfoil, gutted airboxes, K&Ns,polished 91' rims (they turned pink!), and all rear end bushings & tranny mout are energy suspension poly ones now

MORE TO COME: Any suggestions on what to do next? I really want to try and make the 305 run 13s (i've mostly been doing basic repair to the car, but now most of its done i have money to mod!)e-mail me@ abraham_39@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by Abe91Z28 (edited December 16, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Abe91Z28 (edited December 16, 2000).]

 

Oh,a and instead of an edit#3 i just wanted to say thanks again for all of your guys help. My take on the orange light thingie is that i think its his thermostat, but i could be wrong.Of course i can't really check it out because im at work! ARRGH! damned be work.

[This message has been edited by Abe91Z28 (edited December 16, 2000).]

 

ROFL! last week my bro got a belt put on his car. It fell off. he had it replaced and it fell off again at the end of the week again! ROFL just goes to show what happens when u get the k-mart team to put stuff on your car
-Marty