turbo failure?

turbo failure?

Author
Discussion

kvoskou

Original Poster:

8 posts

189 months

Tuesday 25th August 2009
quotequote all
Hello,
I've had what appears to be a turbo problem and would appreciate some advice.
I'm driving an R reg saab93 185bhp 2 litre conv. I was away for a couple of weeks and when I came back found the car was a little sluggish. It still goes ok (0 to fifty in about 8 seconds) so I can use it perfectly well, but the zip has gone.
When I start the car the needle on the turbo dial goes up to about half way through the white section, and when idling stays there or below half way. No matter how I drive or accelarate it stops at the top of the white section and never goes into the yellow - even with my foot to the floor.
There's no abnormal smoke from the exhaust and there doesn't seem to be any abnormal noise, though with a sports exhaust I suppose I could be mistaken.
Anybody have any ideas?
Many thanks.

Boosted LS1

21,198 posts

267 months

Tuesday 25th August 2009
quotequote all
It sounds like you haven't got any boost. Have any of the small diameter pipes come off of the apc valve which is probably near the wastegate?

K321

4,112 posts

225 months

Tuesday 25th August 2009
quotequote all
i had a similar issue with my turbo, the garage found out that the gear hose connection wasnt plugged in. they plugged it in, and the turbo is on full boost now..

before the symptons were that in the gears, the car would hesitate, and feel sluggish like massive turbo lag, esp in 3rd and 5th gear

NiceCupOfTea

25,310 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th August 2009
quotequote all
I agree - sounds like you're on base boost / limp home mode.

kvoskou

Original Poster:

8 posts

189 months

Wednesday 26th August 2009
quotequote all
Many thanks for the tips. I'll be under the bonnet with Mr Haynes in the next couple of evenings and will update.

kvoskou

Original Poster:

8 posts

189 months

Sunday 20th September 2009
quotequote all
Finally got under there but couldn't find anything.
I took it to a place in Finsbury Park (Wightman Road) that specialises in SAAB and in the end it was a dodgy valve.
Replacement along with a diagnostics run and a replaced tyre (I got a used one) came in at under £100.
I'll be using the same place again for MOT/Service and a few other things come next March or sooner.
If the service is as good as it was this time I'll be adding a recommendaion for all.