Hi Guys, As I work out the body trouble on my 87 300D, I've been looking into the lack of power. I've driven the car around the block before I had to do all the body work.

I've cleaned out the lines, the fittings, the 2 valves, replaced a bunch of old hose, cleaned the crossover, and cleaned out the EGR valve.

I connected a boost gauge for test purposes, and it showed 0 at idle. Same when I reved it. The car cannot be driven on the road due to some body repairs. (see "eBay nightmare thread")

I've removed the intake hose and felt the shaft. Very very little play. At idle with the hose off, I've taken a look at the impeller (with a mirror) and it seems to move fine (no wobble).

There is a bar across the top of the turbo. I beleive this is the wastegate control. It does not move when I press the gas.

I never hear the turbo.

2 Questions:

1. Is there a way for me to test the EGR valve? I've asked Brian Carlton for a delete kit - but I've got to figure this out until he has some available.

2. Any ideas why I've got no boost? Where should I go next?

I'm staring to think about tearing the whole thing off to take a look...

Thanks

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1987 300D, 212,000 miles
1997 Ranger, 300,000 kms
2004 Honda Civic Si - 110,000 kms. FOR SALE
2004 Mazda 3 Sport - GF's car, but it's my problem....

Montreal, Quebec - The Rust and pothole capital of North America!

It's my understanding that you won't get any boost until under load. I can barely hear my Garret turbo at wot, so I would imagine the 87 is even quieter.

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1998 E300D, 287k, barely broken in.

really??!!? I just took off that arm, and the wastegate is moving very well.

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1987 300D, 212,000 miles
1997 Ranger, 300,000 kms
2004 Honda Civic Si - 110,000 kms. FOR SALE
2004 Mazda 3 Sport - GF's car, but it's my problem....

Montreal, Quebec - The Rust and pothole capital of North America!

Don't know exactly which arm you're talking about. I should probably sit down and listen for a while on this one as I am neither a 124 or a turbo expert. But it was my understanding that none to very little boost is generated unless under load. I have a boost guage so I'll check mine here in a minute when I go to take my kids to Tball. You should get Forced Induction or bgkast in on turbo questions.

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1998 E300D, 287k, barely broken in.

I don't think it's the waste gate. I think it's the flap that opens when you accelerate (to get the turbo working). I now can't get the arm back on...

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1987 300D, 212,000 miles
1997 Ranger, 300,000 kms
2004 Honda Civic Si - 110,000 kms. FOR SALE
2004 Mazda 3 Sport - GF's car, but it's my problem....

Montreal, Quebec - The Rust and pothole capital of North America!

1. You don't need to test the EGR valve. Just disconnect the hose and plug the hose. There won't be any EGR.

2. Your boost is probably fine. You need to hook up the boost gauge and run it into the cabin and drive the vehicle. Check the boost at 3000 rpm or more in third gear at maximum power. That's the only way to verify what you have. There is never any boost in the driveway.

Brian - thank you for clearing that up.

Any tricks to get the arm back onto the valve? (hope you know which one I mean)

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1987 300D, 212,000 miles
1997 Ranger, 300,000 kms
2004 Honda Civic Si - 110,000 kms. FOR SALE
2004 Mazda 3 Sport - GF's car, but it's my problem....

Montreal, Quebec - The Rust and pothole capital of North America!

I presume the spring is the problem. You'll need quite a bit of hand strength or a C-clamp and and a contraption to get the spring compressed again.

the arm is the waste gate control arm.
1. do you own a "Mighty-vac"

You could use the "Mighty-vac" to start to actuate the valve and allow some play.

In the past i have also done a rough boost check by removing the cross over pipe and running the engine. After it has warmed up, find the throttle linkage and figure out how to manipulate it to rev engine to 3k or so. Then place your free hand near the turbo output and feel for pressure.

My last run-in with lack of boost was due to the relay between the ALDA and the intake manifold. Just to test my theory, i ran the hose directly from the ALDA to the intake and viola my boost was back.

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Dean

is this what your turbo looks like?

if so the bar you speak of is the one pictured running across the top.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Dean

I suspect that the ALDA boost line is plugged. It usually plugs at the bleed-off valve. Follow thw line from the ALDA to the valve. It has a two wire plug attached to it. You should be able to blow through the valve. Pull both lines off of the valve and connect them together. Test drive the car and it should suprise you.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

These 87 603 have cat convertor...mine does at least, and it was clogged, and I had no power, max speed maybe 20 mph...to check remove the bolt at front of engine on the exhaust manifold, and see if you get a ton of black crap coming out. These engines need air and lots of it...For more info do a search under my name and no power...I also thought it was the end..and boy does my 603 move now..its great!!! Good Luck!

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1987 300 DT

Good point wolfsburg. I had a buddy inherit an 87 300tdt and it would not start, thanks to your post I was able to point him to the exhaust. He disconnected the flex pipe and started the car almost instantly. depending on you level of expertise you may be able to put your hand over the exhaust pipe and roughly guage the amount of air coming out of the exhaust. it should be ALOT of air.

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Dean

deanot422 - thanks for the item to actuate it the a mitivac. I don't have one yet - I'm hoping to find a used 1 in the next little while. I will try to bypass the overboost valve also to see if that makes a difference.

Motorhead - My ALDA boost line is clear - have cleaned it out already.

Hadn't thought about a blocked cat - I'll try to judge the pressure next time she's running.

Thanks for the help guys!

__________________
1987 300D, 212,000 miles
1997 Ranger, 300,000 kms
2004 Honda Civic Si - 110,000 kms. FOR SALE
2004 Mazda 3 Sport - GF's car, but it's my problem....

Montreal, Quebec - The Rust and pothole capital of North America!