[george a weitz]

Here's the situation, 93 LPT with wastegate stuck fully closed (car tries to accelerate like crazy and overboosts -which is horrible. Engine uses too much coolant, despite head gasket replaced 4 months ago; had a look underneath at the Turbo and I see white 'crust' apparently seeping out of the exhaust side of the turbo around all joins. Including where the wastegate arm comes out of the turbo. This must be cooked anti freeze; and probably what's causing the wastegate to corrode/seize. How is this getting into the exhaust? Is it possible that the turbo water cooling system has started leaking into the exhaust side of the turbo? I thought it was quite separate.

Any thoughts or experience of this problem?
Many thanks
George

 

[ms08]

I wouldn't have thought so. The sticking wastegate is quite a common problem mainly caused by general corrosion caused by heat and condensation at the turbo. Have you checked whether or not your head gasket is still leaking - by what you describe with coolant loss this might be the cause. I would say that if a waterway were leaking into a cylinder you would generally have more CO2/condensate in your exhaust and when the tubo cools down the water condenses and is probably seeping along the wastegate shaft and corroding it and or the actuator rod. Would check your head gasket seal again if you think suspect and then plenty of WD40 to seem if actuator rod can be freed off. IIRR the rod goes through the turbo body somewhere and this is where it seizes up sometimes requiring a new turbo unit.
Others may be able to advise more.

Mike

 

[george a weitz]

Thanks for your comments. I really hope that the head gasket isn't still leaking - I thought I sought out a decent local specialist and paid appropriate amount of dosh! I guess He'll have to have the car back if it is still leaking. The words 'new turbo' are a bit daunting, I'll have to have a long think about this one!

Cheers,
George