My trubo seems to be making a high pitched whistling noise. One of my buddies who builds cars told me it might be an oil leak from the turbo itself. It does seem like I am loosing oil somewhere and I can smell it burning on something hot. Which would all make sense. Now If this does sound like a leak would it be the turbo itself going bad (i.e. shaft loose) or something like the oil line? I didn't get around to pulling the cover and intake boot yet to check it out.



Also, how is the thermostat on these cars to do?

 

Search for the post I made around last NOV/DEC. It contains the links to several do-it-yourself procedures on replacing your thermostat. Highlights -- the only place to find an 87C/190F thermostat is at FCP Groton -- no longer available at the dealer; A LONG shaft torx bit is REQUIRED. Do NOT overtighten thermostat housing.

It is not a difficult task. It took me awhile to figure out how to loosen fuel rail. I had some trouble unpluging (without prying/breaking it) the electrical connector for Engine Coolant Temp (ECT) sensor. I ended up using pinch-nosed pliers to pull on wire bullet pins.

If you are led to believe that your turbo has a problem...

Does your engine use more than 1/2 quart of oil per thousand miles?

Remove the intercooler pipe between turbo and intercooler. Do you see a thick oil film inside of pipe?

Remove the turbo inlet hose between air filter box and turbo. Do you see oil puddled inside of turbo housing? Firmly pull on turbo compressor wheel. Is there a lot of slop and play in the turbo shaft?

Have your current turbo rebuilt professionally. It shouldn't cost much more than $300. Remember to purchase and install a new turbo oil feed line.

And one other thing... For the price of a rebuilt, your existing turbo housing can be over-bored for a larger compressor wheel, such as -15G, -16G, -16T, or -17C.

Shop and compare...

http://www.forcedperformance.net/
Forced Performance
671 New Hope Road West
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 984-1800
Fax: (972) 984-1802
Sales@forcedperformance.net
Rebuild@forcedperformance.net

http://www.turbochargers.com
Turbochargers.com
5410 Burr Oak Drive
Houston, Texas 77092
Tech Line: (713) 681-1111
Order Line Toll Free: (800) 749-7111
Fax: (713) 939-1111
Email - Turbo@turbochargers.com

http://www.dallasturbo.com/
Majestic Turbochargers of Dallas
1000 S. Wildwood
Suite 10
Irving, TX, 75060

http://www.hirschinds.com/
HIRSCH FOREIGN
P.O. BOX 18063
PHOENIX, AZ 85009

 

You could also have a turbo return line leaking the seal goes bad at the block. It is infront of th exhaust on the block. They are known to leak. But it could also be Cam seals or Rear main seal.

 

Cam,Main, or Return line would cause the high pitched whistling noise?

 

Well mine makes a high pitch whistling noise, and I think I have a leak too. However there is what is also called turbo whine which is normal.

 

1983-89 Mitsubishi Starion(s) use a TD05-12A/-14G turbo. I bought my car new in SEP '84. The turbo in every car that I test drove (including mine) had a nice high pitch whistle as I took my foot off of the accelerator pedal after hard acceleration. It kind of sounded like an old 60's style police siren. It reminded me of a beautiful woman sighing after nice long good-night kiss.