I have recently purchased a 78 regal sportcoupe
turbo 3.8 yada yada. I had to bypass the turbo control centre to get it to fire. It runs well except it 'pops' now and then. This doesn't seem to affect the idle or fuel flow,nothing really changes,it just pops??? Also I can hear the turbo spooling up but it doesn't seem to have a lot of power. I mean nothing worth writing home about.This is my first(and maybe only) Turbo Regal
so I really could use some help figuring it out.One more thing I noticed is that it seems to squeak just before this 'pop' occurs, kinda like a bearing that is going. Thanks for any ideas (or offers?) bob
Does the squeak sound like a damaged bearing sound? (i.e. Possibly a bearing in the turbo failing?)
Does the pop happen only at idle, or while driving? Does it sound like a backfire?
Note that the HP for these motors is not very high by today's standards. Just 165 if its a 4bbl. Given the anemic HP of other cars of the time, it was pretty healthy in relative terms.
Yes the squeak does sound like a bearing that is shot. It doesn't do it when I drive the car real easy or even push it a bit. However if I push it half throttle or even 1/3 this is where it seems to squeal and pop. it is a four barrel by the way.
thanks again. Bob
To end anyone's confusion, the turbo was FRIED!!!
Cause- the previous owner had disassembled the engine and partially reassembled it. He had installed a TINY plug into the oil supply line for the turbo!! Needless to say after 700kms or so it started to burn oil profusely. Thank you Scott for the effort at helping with this problem and I got another turbo for FREE( imagine that??) from a friend, car runs relatively well now except it has no power, but it is improving over time. Thanks for listening and once again anyone who has performance info for these cars or replacement parts ( ie: turbo control center)please leave me a message.