Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:31:27 -0400 From: "Jason Ahmad" <jahmadnopsamford.edu> Subject: 9000 turbo problems
Hi, I have a '90 9000 cd turbo w/about 150k miles on it. A few days ago, I was pulling onto the freeway when all of a sudden the turbo whistle got way louder than usual and the car started going way slower than usual. Now, whenever I try and accelerate enough so the boost gauge goes into the yellow, it whistles loudly but seems to slow down and buck a bit. Accelerating slowly (ie, no boost) is no problem. Additionally whenever I attempt to accelerate quickly, the car emits rather nasty fumes. So...I'm perplexed. Initially I thought maybe there was a leak somewhere between the exhaust manifold and the tubro. That way the turbo wouldn't be spinning fast enough and the engine wouldn't be getting the requisite air and the like. (Although I'm rather mechanically inclined, I've never actually sat down and tried to fix anything more complex than some body damage on a car.) How is the turbo positioned on these cars? Is it bolted to the intake manifold with hoses running the exhaust pressure? Is it entirely hose connected? Is it entirely bolted? Now I'm more leaning towards the idea that the bearings in the turbo just seized up (i checked the oil afterwards and it's strait black - i just started driving it a little bit ago). That way, it would make the whistling sound of the air trying to get by the locked up turbo, also not enough air would get past when the throttle's wider open, so the fuel mixture would be richer and it would be dumping those nasty fumes. The only problem I have wth that theory is the boost gauge still registers when i try and accelerate. So...any ideas on what it could be? Any help would be appreciated. Also, if anyone knows a good place to get a workshop manual for the '90 9000's I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Jason Ahmad