While I have my head off next week for a new head gasket this will be a good time to try and understand why the turbo is not making boost.

I know only that the push-rod connecting from the actuator to the waste gate does not move and seems to be siezed in the open position.

I would love to think that all I may need to do is serious cleaning of all the burned on gunk and that all moving parts are freed.

I will check for turbo fan play, in-out, up-down, to determine bearing integrity.

Can someone recommend something else I should do also, or have I overlooked something?

How do you know the turbo isn't making boost? No power? Boost gauge?

How do you know that the wastegate actuator rod is seized and that it's seized in the open position? The actuator rod is very difficult to move by hand.

You'd be the first to get a failed turbo working again by cleaning it. You won't be the first to loose a lot of skin by touching the impellers.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Well I did try with a long screw driver to move the gate and it did not move at all and seemed siezed.

I did a check for boost, and it put out between 1 and 2 of the expected 12, and also checked the alda, and electro vac switch.

I really don't know for sure about the gate being open or closed, but having only aspirated delivery would suggest it is open, but as I said, I don't really know!

I've never had turbo power in this car since I bought it 6 months ago, and 0 to 60 around 20 sec. Great fuel economy, about 34 mpg.

I would like to get it to work, or find a used one in decent cond.

I cut my fingers everyday, just not on turbo impellers!

There's a circlip holding the actuator rod to the wastegate lever. Remove the circlip without losing it and see if the wastegate flap is indeed seized. If you have a Garrett turbo, I believe up is closed and down is open. It might be easier to remove the actuator from the turbo so try that way. If you have a Garrett turbo, the actuator is held by 2 bolts that also hold the center section to the compressor housing and 1 ridiculously big bolt that goes through the actuator bracket into the compressor housing. If you have a pressure source, see if the actuator extends the rod when subjected to 14-15psi.

You don't have to remove the turbo to check the center shaft. Remove the tube from the airflow sensor to the turbo then check the shaft for play. The shaft should spin smoothly. It might not spin much once you let go. It's not much of a freewheeler even when brand new. A little radial play is normal. Any amount of axial play is bad.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL