300sd Turbo

Mabuhay!
I am not much of a DIY so I have the car serviced at a local shop.
The technician said that the Turbo on my '81 300SD will give up soon.
Any recommendations on what to do with the turbo?
Can it be repaired?
Just in case the one presently installed can not be fixed
Any links where I may purchase a rebuilt Turbo?

Hope to hear from the experts soonest

Jojo
Manila, Philippines

[sixto]

Probably worth getting a second opinion on the turbo.

Try www.turbochargers.com, www.majesticturbo.com, www.dallasturbo.com and www.turbocity.com for rebuilt units.

If you're near Pasay City, I know someone who has an MB shop. Email me directly if you're interested.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

[Mercedes Man]

JOJO,

Why does the mechanic say that the turbo is going out? Did he put a boost gauge on the turbo? Is it making noise? Is it frozen? Turbos have long lives. As I understand, the turbo cannot be rebuilt. They are very precisionaly built. You would have to buy a new one or find a used one.

I thought was that turbos were not advisable in the Philippines. Most Philippine diesel drivers did not want a turbo because they told me turbos were a problem.

Unfortunately, in Metro Manila it takes about an hour to go 1 mile, thanks to the terrible traffic. That just isn't the type of driving where you use a turbo. Where in the Philippines can you put the pedal to the metal and hear that diesel sing?

[oldsouth]

I shipped mine back to Garrette and they rebuilt it for about $250. Took it off one day and shipped by next day air, they rebuilt it the next and shipped it back next day air. I installed it and was only down 3 days. Total cost was less than $350. Dealer wanted right at $2000 for a new turbo. Right!

Mercedes man, I'm not sure if the mechanic used a boost guage to test the turbo. The "bearing" it seems are already worn out after all its a 20 year old car. Turbos become a problem in Manila because of the Heat, an intercooler would be more advisable. Also, because the Diesel Fuel we have is high sulfur and is not suitable for Turbos. I agree it takes about an hour to go 1 mile in Manila because of the traffic. More reason to use a Diesel to avoid burning your wallet while stuck in traffice given gasoline prices. The turbo becomes a necessity when going out of town or in the skyway. Do you know anyone who sells rebuit turbos?

Oldsouth, how do I get in touch with Garrette?
Hope he can ship via DHL/UPS to Manila...
Thanks

[Mercedes Man]

JOJO,

I really think that the low speed driving in the Philippines causes the problem more than the heat. My 1984 SD has 225,000 miles and travels 100-120 degree F (48 degrees C) heat in the summer and down to freezing (32 degree F or 0 degree C) in the winter. It still has the original engine and turbo. You won't find that those temperature extremes in the Philippines. Plus, I do most of my most of my driving in the city at 35 mph. I also drive at 65 to 70 mph non-stop for hours at a time across the desert.

Also, the turbo is just an air compressor, it doesn't care what kind of fuel you burn. In theory, you could take your diesel turbo and put it on a gasoline engine and it would work. Maybe your turbo is falling about because of the oil you are using. I noticed that many of the good brands of oil in the Philippines as gasoline oil, like Shell and Petron. I preferred Delo 500 because it had the highest rating I could buy in the Philippines: CF. You need to make sure you use diesel rated oil because they also help lubricate your turbo properly. Do not buy oils that have only a gasoline rating (SE, SF, SG, SH, etc.).

However, you are right, the diesel is the best engine for idling. They will hardly burn fuel unlike a gasoline engine. This is a necessity while sitting in traffic.

Be sure to check out with customs on how to ship things to the Philippines before you order. Learn about custom laws so you don't have to bribe customs. You don't want to be suprised and have your shipment confiscated or penalized.

[mplafleur]

I saw one the other day on e-Bay that was going for $53.

And yes, at idle a diesel will consume 1/6 the fuel used in a gasoline engine.

[sixto]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mercedes Man
My 1984 SD has 225,000 miles and travels 100-120 degree F (48 degrees C) heat in the summer ... [QUOTE]

But it's a dry heat

Also, the turbo is just an air compressor, it doesn't care what kind of fuel you burn.

Exhaust gas drives the turbine but I don't know how sulfur in the hot side would harm the turbo. Does sulfur erode the vanes?

You might shorten a turbo's life by shutting off the engine without giving the turbo a chance to cool. Not as big a deal with synthetic oil. I know folks with turbos that survive the practice of not letting the engine idle for a few minutes after a hard run so it's not gospel.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD