I wrecked my 96 850 turbo last year - : > ((-my son in Hawaii had bought an "island" car-1995 black 850 T-5r! He sold it to me when he transferred! Anyway, I keep smelling exhaust fumes and turbo boost gauge almost never reads below 50%. I looked under car last weekend and I see oil on outside of bottom of turbo unit. Car doesn't use much oil. Has 112k miles on it.

Any advice or observations? If I need to replace, know a good inexpensive source?

Love the forum!

 

the most likely culprit is the turbo drain line. Its one rubber o-ring and a gasket, and it's under 10 bucks at the dealership.

If you're smelling exhaust fumes and the turbo isnt boosting, I'd check the flange where the turbo attaches to the exhaust manifold to make sure it's tight. If you're blowing exhaust gas out of that flange, it would explain both the smell and the boost loss.

 

can you explain: It never reads below 50%? Where on the boost gauge is the needle going? Do you have a boost gauge? What's your vac/boost? Is the bottom of the turbo itself wet with oil or is the turbo oil return line wet with oil? If you take off your intake pipe, how much oil is pooled up in there (Because I bet a lot)? With the intake pipe off, is there any turbine shaft play (up/down, in/out)?

 

There is no appreciable oil under the turbo. The turbo seems to work, although I don't know if I am losing any boost.
The turbo/vac gauge on the dash has two "zones", divided into a left and right sector. Without engaging the turbo, the needle indicates right about in the middle. In my old 850, it was always on the low side until engaged. When I hit the turbo, the needle jumps to the right.

 

Where is the needle when the car is off?