Turbo problem

[katman96]

So I am having my first problem with my turbo. I have a 1979 pace car with the 2.3 turbo. Everything was working fine yesterday until after work. Still runs fine just has no power, and the turbo light is not coming on. I am planning to get a boost gauge so I can figure out if its producing too little boost to turn on the light or, no boost. I have put compressed air to the wastegate actuator and it seems to be functioning fine. Beyond that i really don't know where to start troubleshooting this thing short of tearing into it. How can I check to see if its the turbo itself gone bad (seized)? I am getting ready to pull the carb and rebuild it, will i be able to check anything from the top?
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

oh yeah, will driving the car without the turbo working hurt anything?

 

[Mr. Rustypwnz]

it probably will not run? just saying, my svo didnt run, the evo didnt and the gst didnt either, but maybe carb is another story..

 

[Red_LX]

Have you checked to make sure the wastegate is still connected to the wastegate arm on the turbo?

 

[katman96]

No i haven't check to make sure the wastegate has not fallen off. I was hoping to find something simple first. I don't want to pull the exhaust but it looks like i must. I read somewhere that if the catalytic converter has gone bad it would kill your boost too. I have been debating yanking it anyway so it looks like it will be gone soon.
I got my new boost gauge today so hopefully i will have time to get it hooked up so i can see whats going on maybe...

 

[Red_LX]

You shouldn't have to pull the exhaust to check out the wastegate...

 

[wicked93gs]

dont be so sure its lack of boost killing power...could be a blown head gasket(usually between cylinders 2 and 3) or like mine was...a split hose leading from the fuel pump up out of the sender...find out if you are boosting first

 

[Dr_EluSivE]

Do you have a Real boost gauge? I would recommend checking to see if the turbo is actually producing any boost by using a boost gauge. Could be that it is making boost, but is escaping through a hose somewhere.

Dr.

 

[katman96]

ok so...it seems to be an intermittent problem. I left home yesterday and it took off. Light came on and it actually had some power again.Now I am pretty uneducated when it comes to this thing, but i am guessing that the vacuum solenoids mounted to the drivers side fender well are for boost control, among other things? But I have other problems I need to address also. This thing doesnt want to idle right. Fresh tune-up, rebuild carburetor, and still no luck.I am guessing a vacuum leak somewhere but i have been over this thing quite a few times and cant find it. Or maybe my ignition module is junk? I have it ordered and will be here tomorrow. Does anyone know where to get a vacuum diagram for this thing? I have been all over and cant find one anywhere

Rob

 

[foxforce33]

Have you tried the SVO forum, SVOCA?

SVOCA Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Though your car is not an SVO, there are some really knowledgeable folks over there that are experts on the 2.3 Turbo. They may be able to help.

 

[mg man]

Awesome car. I am unsure is the 79 2.3 turbo a carb turbo setup or efi? I found this site.
1979 Pace Car Registry Home
Also a good site for the four eye Mustang. This is there library section.
The Library
Maurice