My Turbo R&R Experience :> and Thanks to Kevin and Basal Skull!
06-01-2011, 12:33 PM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
My Turbo R&R Experience :> and Thanks to Kevin and Basal Skull!
My number came up this spring with the leaking turbo saga that many have experienced.
As many of us do, I started with denial and was very well assisted in the diagnosis process by Kevin (he who needs no last name nor introduction). Kevin helped me to determine that my turbos needed to be rebuilt. Then he told me that if I can change my own oil, I can remove and replace the turbos. That was all the encouragement that I needed.
Then I found the detailed instuctions posted up by Basal Skull. Basal's instructions combined with Kevin's instructions (stickey above) were all I needed to get the turbos off. It really wasn't that bad and it was definitely the most difficult project that I had taken on with this car. After a few hours, the turbos were off and on their way to Kevin.
During the downtime, I decided to do some "while I was in there" maintenance. I changed all of the filters and fluids that I could find including: transmission, front diff, fuel filter, air filter, diverter valves and obviously oil filters. I cleaned and I cleaned. Not an **** cleaning, but a cleaning that would ensure that no dirt got into the new turbos.
I learned a lot about my car during that process of maintenance and cleaning. I enjoyed learning the engineering that it took to "cram" all of that stuff into the engine bay.
I also added a boost gauge to the car. While it has an OBC, since my car's life started as a C4S, it did not show boost. I installed a VDO 2" gauge.
I also swapped my stock seats for some '7 GT3RS seats. Huge improvement in comfort and looks. I absolutely love them.
Once the turbos arrived, Kevin was very helpful in advising me on installing them and breaking them in properly. I installed them in a few hours with no real issues. The old turbo oil lines were tough to remove. And that passenger muffler bracket screw is totally blocked by the new check valve. But I got it all in. I tested and tested for leaks, and tightened a few things and all was well.
I went with the Mobil 1 V-twin oil this time and will continue to use it.
Car is back on the road and the turbos are being properly broken in. Not being able to use boost is tough! But the car feels better than ever.
More than anything, the point of this post is to thank Kevin and Basal Skull for their help and support. RL is a great place!
As many of us do, I started with denial and was very well assisted in the diagnosis process by Kevin (he who needs no last name nor introduction). Kevin helped me to determine that my turbos needed to be rebuilt. Then he told me that if I can change my own oil, I can remove and replace the turbos. That was all the encouragement that I needed.
Then I found the detailed instuctions posted up by Basal Skull. Basal's instructions combined with Kevin's instructions (stickey above) were all I needed to get the turbos off. It really wasn't that bad and it was definitely the most difficult project that I had taken on with this car. After a few hours, the turbos were off and on their way to Kevin.
During the downtime, I decided to do some "while I was in there" maintenance. I changed all of the filters and fluids that I could find including: transmission, front diff, fuel filter, air filter, diverter valves and obviously oil filters. I cleaned and I cleaned. Not an **** cleaning, but a cleaning that would ensure that no dirt got into the new turbos.
I learned a lot about my car during that process of maintenance and cleaning. I enjoyed learning the engineering that it took to "cram" all of that stuff into the engine bay.
I also added a boost gauge to the car. While it has an OBC, since my car's life started as a C4S, it did not show boost. I installed a VDO 2" gauge.
I also swapped my stock seats for some '7 GT3RS seats. Huge improvement in comfort and looks. I absolutely love them.
Once the turbos arrived, Kevin was very helpful in advising me on installing them and breaking them in properly. I installed them in a few hours with no real issues. The old turbo oil lines were tough to remove. And that passenger muffler bracket screw is totally blocked by the new check valve. But I got it all in. I tested and tested for leaks, and tightened a few things and all was well.
I went with the Mobil 1 V-twin oil this time and will continue to use it.
Car is back on the road and the turbos are being properly broken in. Not being able to use boost is tough! But the car feels better than ever.
More than anything, the point of this post is to thank Kevin and Basal Skull for their help and support. RL is a great place!
06-01-2011, 03:25 PM
#4
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Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Good Job Patrick.Thanks for sharing.
06-01-2011, 08:34 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Nice work, Patrick! I'm still waiting to see if my oil leaks reappear or if I was an oil filter victim (so far so good) of my own doing.
I have access to a lift, did you do all of this on your back??
I have access to a lift, did you do all of this on your back??
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06-01-2011, 09:09 PM
#9
Race Car
Thread Starter
I put my car up on my Esco jack stands. However, most of the work is done from the sides and top of the car. While pulling off the turbos, exhaust, etc, I was mostly on my knees, sitting and/or squatting. You also need to get access from the top for new oil lines, dealing with the intercooler hoses, etc.
06-01-2011, 10:06 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thanx for the thanx!
Glad it's back together. It's fun working/getting to know our cars. I'm always impressed by how well things are put together, and how nice the parts are. Your car must be running really well, I know mine runs better with each thing I do to it!
Ryojo
Glad it's back together. It's fun working/getting to know our cars. I'm always impressed by how well things are put together, and how nice the parts are. Your car must be running really well, I know mine runs better with each thing I do to it!
Ryojo
06-01-2011, 10:15 PM
#13
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congrats patrick .... the time you spent sorting this out and doing it on your own will definitely make you appreciate our cars so much more than i can. what i do is take the car to rac and hassle travis and mark and hans to talk to me and send me pics. patrick what dv valves did you go with? wasn't it a bitch to get them switched out without dropping the engine -- they're tucked way in the back. how much did the rebuild cost (about)? patrick i've read all the posts about oil smokers and oil in the intercoolers and mahl oil filters ad nauseum ........... but why did yours start smoking and when are mine going to start? thanks
06-01-2011, 10:24 PM
#15
Race Car
Thread Starter
Ryojo, your instructions and off-line PM's really kept me going!
Thanks Dan! We need to get together very soon.
Parsonii. I used the recommended Bosch 710N valves. About $40 each. No, they were no trouble to replace at all. I did it as a preventative measure, not because mine were broken. However, mine were dated 2001 so it was time. With the intercooler, blower assembly, and air cleaner assembly removed, they were very accessible. To remove all of those components and replace the diverter valves and re- assemble would probably take an hour.
Rebuilding the turbos was about $500 each side. Porting was additional. And getting Kevin's check valve/oil lines kit and the upgraded sump lines were additional. Like I said, I'll let Kevin provide the details. He is very responsive to email messages.
I don't know why turbos fail, but overfilling and age seem to be the main culprits. I had problems last spring, likely due to an overfill. The issue went away. Then again this spring and the diagnosis showed that the turbos were leaking. I don't store my car in the winter. But it can sit for a couple of weeks at a time.
Thanks Dan! We need to get together very soon.
Parsonii. I used the recommended Bosch 710N valves. About $40 each. No, they were no trouble to replace at all. I did it as a preventative measure, not because mine were broken. However, mine were dated 2001 so it was time. With the intercooler, blower assembly, and air cleaner assembly removed, they were very accessible. To remove all of those components and replace the diverter valves and re- assemble would probably take an hour.
Rebuilding the turbos was about $500 each side. Porting was additional. And getting Kevin's check valve/oil lines kit and the upgraded sump lines were additional. Like I said, I'll let Kevin provide the details. He is very responsive to email messages.
I don't know why turbos fail, but overfilling and age seem to be the main culprits. I had problems last spring, likely due to an overfill. The issue went away. Then again this spring and the diagnosis showed that the turbos were leaking. I don't store my car in the winter. But it can sit for a couple of weeks at a time.