johne

So my turbos compressor went south on me. And chunks apparently broke off of my compressor blades. Since finding out about the broken compressor I have driven the car approximately 500 miles.(yeah I know really smart) So according to my logic those metal fragments must have gone somewhere. I figure there are a couple possibilities and most of them are not good. I figure each of these possibilities either did or did not happen.

1) All the metal fragments got caught in the intercooler.
2) The fragments flew into the engine and tore up the pistons, valves, cylinders and then flew out.
3) Upon flying out the chunks flew threw the compressor and tore up its blades.
4) Finally all the chunks got caught in the catalytic converter.

So now what to do:
For option 1) I’m going to remove the intercooler and clean it out and see what I find.
For option 3) I figure I definitely need to replace the turbocharger so that’s taken care of
For option 4) I will probably cut my cat out and replace it with a 2.5 inch staneless pipe
For option 2) This is the one I really don’t like. I’m thinking that I can do a compression test and leakdown test but I’m not sure this will appease my worries. So what do you all think?

Much appreciate for all suggestions and comments.

Thanks,
John

theedge

Definatly check the I/C first. My bet is most of them ended up in there...

special tool

do a compression check. Then clean out your cooler, probably got lucky.

Danno

You can also take off the intake-manifold and see if there are any fragments in there. What caused the compressor to break? Seems to be going around a lot lately.

This was also common on the CT turbos used in the MR2 Turbo which has a ceramic composite compressor wheel. When the compressor-bypass valve failed, it wouldn't vent pressure back to the intake, so when the throttle was suddenly closed quickly under full-boost, like when shifting, the shockwave flowing back from the throttle-plate would shatter the wheel.

roco16

You know who in you area has all the tools to do the compression/leakdown tests, right?

Also, there is a chance that the infamous film of oil everywhere in the intake might have trapped the chips from going anywhere....

-Robert

johne

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think a good course of action is this.

1) Clean out the intercooler, hardpipes, and intake manifold.
2) Do a compression test hot and cold.
3) Do a leakdown test hot and cold.
4) Keep my eye out for a screaming deal on a new block. Maybe someone will have an NA block in the area that they will let go of for 50 bucks for just the bare block.

What do you all think?

John

CPTdooberhead

damn dude, that sucks... to think that would have happened to me had I driven the car another 500 miles... wow, I gues my bad luck is contagious!

Did you ever get that centerforce installed?

Sam Lin

If your engine is still running fine, no new smoking issues, I wouldn't worry about it - have the intercooler ultrasonic'd if you want, borescope the cylinders if you want, but certainly don't plan on a new block unless there's evidence of damage. You'd be surprised at what can go through an engine with no issues.

Sam

pk951

Maybe you want to check one of you're plugs to see if there are any signs, of some metal parts getting to the plugs.

If yes then you know it went through the whole motor. Hope not good luck.

DDP

I was told by my mechanic that there is NO way the stuff could make it all the way to the engine. Good luck!

Porsche-O-Phile

Not true - Eyal951, you care to chime in on this? There was most certainly some cylinder scoring evident after his turbo mishap, although it's going to be okay so I'm told. . .

Eyal 951

i have some damage from my self destructed turbo in my cylinders... nothing worth tending to for now, but its evident, other then a couple scratches or so, the cylinders are perfect.
~Eyal

Porsche-O-Phile

So it's possible there's damage. This is one reason I'm so paranoid about mine right now - I truly wish I had a boroscope, I'd yank the spark plugs and look around in there - all I can do now is put the magnet stick in, fish around really good, and hope there's nothing.

Eyal 951

Jeff, fishing for turbo shards with a magnet wont get you far, unless your looking for the bolt with that magnet, your wasting your time. its aluminum. anywho, jeff why dont you just buy a 3 liter block and a to4E and sell this block, you wont have to worry about it anymore!
~Eyal

UK952

Once you have the intake maniold off if you shine a small torch down the plug holes you can see a fair bit through the intake ports, might put your mind at rest,
Tony