Author Topic: How do I tell if my turbo is working? (Read 3566 times)

Infinitrium · « **on:** June 28, 2007, 06:33:26 pm »

I'm new to turbo cars and I am wondering how I can tell if my turbo is working. I've seen other turbodiesel VW's and I can hear the turbo whistling from the outside, but would you be able to hear it inside the car?

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2007, 06:42:41 pm »

With the window down probably.

Try driving beside a median. The whistle will echo off and you should be able to hear it very well.

You could also install a boost gauge. Do a search in the forums for more info!

Matt

Infinitrium · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2007, 01:29:26 am »

Heh, well I've tried sticking my head out of the window while accelerating and I didn't hear any turbo sounding noises...I hope it's actually working.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2007, 02:21:58 am »

One thing to try quickly is to remove the intake hose to the turbo (one clamp) and then see if you can spin the turbo blades by hand... if so, there's an excellent change the engine can as well.

Vince

Infinitrium · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2007, 02:46:34 am »

I'll have to give that a try in the morning. What would performance be like if the turbo wasn't working? The car seems plenty peppy on the highway. The car doesn't seem to leave any smoke at all, even at full throttle at 45 mph.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2007, 09:45:31 am »

Black smoke would usually be the first indication of a non working turbo

I can usually hear my turbo in second gear, around 2200.

nogama3 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:41:45 am »

when my turbo wasnt working it wa really slow and kicking out lots of black smoke. when it was running again it was kicking in at 1800rpm after a tune up, now whistles loudly ha ha ha

Infinitrium · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:45:16 am »

I was out playing with the car, trying 0-60 times which by myself counting was about 13 seconds hehe. Anyway, I did notice a bit of black smoke under WOT and higher rpm's and I sure thought I heard a turbo whistling type of sound when I shifted out of 2nd. Any speed above that and the wind noise was too loud to hear anything. I also notice the sound of something spinning down when I shut the car off and I positively know it is not the radiator fans making that sound.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:48:35 am »

Quote from: "Infinitrium"

I also notice the sound of something spinning down when I shut the car off and I positively know it is not the radiator fans making that sound.

Hopefully that isn't your turbo. You should let it cool down before shutting the car down, take it for an easy 2 minute drive staying out of the boost as much as possible

Infinitrium · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:53:07 am »

I let it idle for about 2 minutes before I shut it down. Is that enough or should I drive it a bit as you said then shut it down?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2007, 12:21:54 pm »

that's probably just as good

nogama3 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2007, 01:23:58 pm »

i dont let it idle for long at all, pos around 30 seconds max.

Infinitrium · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2007, 06:30:33 pm »

I can now confirm that the turbo indeed works. I took off the airbox to turbo hose and spun the blades with my finger. I thought it felt a little rough, and thinking that it wasn't working, I put the hose back on then I removed the turbo outlet to intake hose (whatever the proper name is) and started the engine. I put my hand over the turbo outlet and I could feel air being forced out. Revving it up and a lot more air came out (as best I can describe). I then took it up the road just to see what it would be like with no turbo. Ooh, very noticeably slower and a lot more black smoke. At least with the hose off I could hear the turbo spin up and spin down.

Hillshy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:37:13 pm »

i agree with points mentioned so far, but very dark smoke almost black is a good sign and also oil deposits in the exhaust and inlet pipes show turbo issues, i have turbo issues at the moment,

.

nogama3 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2007, 11:45:32 am »

Quote from: libbybapa

If you consistently don't idle down a TD, you will coke up the bearings, cause excessive oil use and possibly wreck your turbo.

Andrew

will take this into consideration when i next use the motor