Wastegate?
 

I believe my wastegate is stuck open. How do I fix that? Do I have to replace the wastegate actuator? I just bought an '87 Turbo, and the turbo doesnt spool. I can get it to about 1.5psi, but thats it. I had a friend block the exhaust off, and the car had a steady leak from the wastegate area. It's enough of a leak that the car didnt die even when the exhust was blocked off. I was wondering if this is an easy fix. Thanks.

After checking out the amazing TSRM, I'm pretty sure its the wastegate. I am going to check it with a Turbo Pressure guage, but I am pretty sure the rod connected to the wastegate valve is stuck open. My question is: in the TSRM, it says to replace the Turbocharger assembly if the rod doesn't move. What exactly is included in the turbocharger assembly, not including the turbo, because the turbo is fine? Thanks.

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"I had a friend block the exhaust off, and the car had a steady leak from the wastegate area"

If the wastegate is stuck open it would not created boost BUT it will not cause an exhaust leak, the exhaust gas would just go around the turbine wheel and out the O2 housing, downpipe etc.

If you are getting an exhaust leak then I'm afraid you have either a blown turbo to manifold gasket or a cracked turbine housing. Or since you said you bought it like this correct? The idiot that worked on it last could have broken a stud or stripped the threads on a stud causing it to leak.

Im sorry, the reason I think its the wastegate stuck open is I couldnt FEEL an exhaust leak, but I could hear a steady hiss coming from that area. This leads me to believe that the wastegate is dumping into the O2 housing a bypassing the turbine, making no boost. Does that sound correct?

Edit - Wait, so it must be an exhaust leak, youre right. Otherwise, even if the wastegate is dumping into the exhaust system, the car should die when I block off the exhaust, unless there is a large leak somewhere. I think it could be the turbo to manifold gasket. I hope the turbo isnt screwed. I'll diagnose the problem further. Thanks for the input.

To replace the turbo to manifold gasket, do i have to remove the turbo?
Also, if I have to replace the wastegate actuator, do I have to also replace the Turbo? Is it easy to replace the wastegate actuator and rod? Thanks.

"To replace the turbo to manifold gasket, do i have to remove the turbo?"

Yes you do. How else would you replace the gasket in between the turbo and the exhaust manifold?

It's really not a difficult job, you just have to remember where everything goes, and hope you don't break any studs or bolts. These cars are 20 years old and things that have been together that long don't like to come apart.

"Also, if I have to replace the wastegate actuator, do I have to also replace the Turbo? Is it easy to replace the wastegate actuator and rod?"

No you don't have to replace the turbo to replace the wastegate acutator. Once you have the turbo off it is very easy to replace the wastegate actuator and rod. Actuator is bolted on, rod is held on by a tiny C-clip. You will need a pair of C-clip pliers and I'm sure the clip/rod/actuator is a dealer only item. Turbo must be off the replace the wastegate actuator.

Where about do you feel the exhaust leak? Can you hear it while in the car driving? If not can you hear it while you are under the hood and someone else is reving it?

Thanks. I can hear it while Im driving. It's coming from in front of the glovebox area. When we blocked off the exhaust, we heard it coming from the turbo area, but felt around and couldnt find it. That's why I though it was the wastegate stuck open. I have tried pulling on the rod, and it doesnt budge. I am going to pull the turbo off anyway to check everything, replace gaskets, and studs and bolts if I can find 'em, and maybe even the wastegate actuator and roc if it is the problem. Ill let you know what I find, and Ill take some pics. Probably wont have the thing off till Thursday or Friday. Thanks again.

When the turbo is off, take a picture of where the actuator rod connects to the wastegate valve and I'll tell you if its open or closed.

DO I have to drain the coolant to remove the turbo? I got to the point of removing the coolant lines, and Im not sure if I must drain the coolant to remove these?

It's not going to hurt anything if you don't drain the coolant.

If you haven't done a coolant flush to your car yet, here's a perfect time to do so.

Have fun getting the coolant hose off of the union pipe (lower of the 2 coolant hoses).