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).

FYI - Its a good idea to drain SOME coolant. I pullant the coolant lines off the turbo, and one of them spewed about a quart of coolant through the engine onto the garage floor. :) Should have the turbo off tomorrow.

FYI- I know coolant was going to come out (and so should you). And I said it wouldnt hurt anything, did it?

What did you THINK was going to come out of that hose?

Cooling systems are under pressure at all times running or not running, (unless you have a external leak, BHG, or the radiator cap is off. Even then the force of gravity is acting upon the coolant meaning whatever coolant is above the point of which you are screwing with is exerting pressure).

What's more important your supra or a garage floor?

That's what they make speedy dry/cat litter for.

Welp, Imma newb, didn't know. But its all good, not my garage ;) . All I have left is 2 oil lines, and the turbo should be off today. Ill take some pics and try to get them posted tonight or tomorrow. Im pretty sure its the wastegate acutator holding the wastegate open, so once Im sure, Imma order a new one, get new gaskets, clean everything, and put that sucker back on. I just really hope its not a crack in the turbine housing :x:

Good job. We might make a mechanic outta you yet.

Yeah those nuts holding the oil pipe to the block are hell to get at.

Have fun dealing with the parts department at your local toyota dealership.

Welp, pulled the turbo out. No pics yet. But I believe the wastegate is actually closed. And there are no noticable cracks in the turbine housing. Im going to take some pics soon, and also may take the turbo into a shop to have 'em look at it. SO, either a) The turbine housing is cracked and leaking, so no boost b) the turbo is fine, but there is a boost leak somewhere in the intercooler and/or intercooler piping c) my exhaust manifold is cracked. Could be other issues, but I am not sure. Ill get the pics on soon, and hopefully solve this problem. I WANT BOOST! :offwall:

You might as well pull the exhaust manifold off and replace that gasket. It's only 7 nuts and 2 bolts holding the "stay" on the bottom. Exhaust manifold gasket is like $13 anyways. You should check to make sure the manifold isn't warped or like you said cracked, the only way will be to pull it off. I bought my car with a horrible exhaust manifold to head leak. Reason was the dope who put it on before I bought the car, stripped the threads on one of the manifold stud holes (the threads in the soft aluminum head). My car only made 3-4 psi of boost with that leak.

I hope you find the problem.

Thanks. Yea, Im definitely going to pull the exhuast manifold off and inspect it. I will also definitely replace the gasket. Thanks for all the advice. I hope to find the problem soon. Pics soon. Just need to find a camera :)

Still no pics. After inspecting the exhaust manifold and gasket, there doesnt seem to be any problems with it. This leads me to believe that I might have a plugged cat, causing too much backpressure, causing the exhaust to come out somewhere else, and making no boost. Since the dope I bought the car from put on a huge exhaust and welded in the Cat, I cant pull it out to check it. So, Im going to replace all gaskets and bolts, clean everything, and put it back together properly. I am then going to use a plumbers snake to push through the Cat and see if that solves it. Also, how much would a stock exhaust + Cat and downpipe costs to replace that crappy exhaust that I have on? Also, would it hurt to cut off the Cat, weld flanges on it, and bolt it back in like normal, assuming I get a new Cat? The exhaust piping seems fine, but I want to NOT have the Cat welded on. Thanks.

"causing the exhaust to come out somewhere else, and making no boost"

The only thing causing exhaust to come out "somewhere else" and not make boost is an exhaust leak BEFORE the turbo. Would have NOTHING to do with the cat. Plugged cats don't cause exhaust leaks.

Let's review what we know (or what you said). You said you felt and heard an exhaust leak near the turbo, correct? Start there first before you go ripping apart the rest of the exhaust.

Wow that sucks about what that guy did to that exhaust. Did he weld the cat-back onto the cat also? If the cat back is still bolted to the cat (like it should be from the factory) then I would buy a test pipe and aftermarket downpipe. The dealer will rob you blind for a stock cat and downpipe. Would probably run you $700 if not more. If the cat back is welded to the cat then guess you have alot of work to do, buying flanges, cutting, welding, finding gaskets that fit. So much for a direct bolt on exhaust for your car.

Yea, the moron welded both sides on. I have heard of a clogged cat stopping boost though, because the backpressure is preventing the turbo from spooling up. I am still concerned with the exhaust leak somewhere too. I think it might be coming out of the crappy weld job the guy did welding the downpipe onto the exhaust pipe. It just shows that cutting corners screws you in the long run. I am also going to take my turbo into an expert to check it out.