Is My Turbo About To Die?

[blah_blah]

Hi all,

My car is a 1998 R34 GT-T with a stock turbo FMIC, Nistune, Turbotech manual boost controller, and full exhaust at 12psi. Approx 145,000km.

A few weeks ago I had my car inspected at workshop for a RWC, and the engine was looked at and they fixed an oil leak. Ever since the car when on high boost there would be a whistling noise coming from the engine.

I took the car back to the workshop and he had a look at it and he thought the turbo was about to let go, but he pulled out the boost controller and conected the stock t pipe. When he did it the noise when away so we just thought it was a faulty boost controller.

Now two weeks later the whistling noise has come back everytime it is on high boost, especially in 2nd gear.

I just wanted some people opinions before I try call the workshop again next week as I am not knowledgable in this area and don't trust the workshop 100% and don't want to be charged a bucket load to get it checked out, or get something fixed when it shouldnt be.

So im just curious is this a sign my turbo is about to let go or could it be something else?

Opinions welcome, Many Thanks!

[wolverine]

Exhaust manifold or manifold to turbo gasket leak.

[Moodles2]

If low boost (stock 6-8psi) doesn't trigger it but 12psi does, I would be looking at the intake & intercooling piping. Especially If the pipes were alittle oily (which is normal without a catchcan) and not wiped down when they were taken off and put back on. Different things you can do like smoke tests, pressurizing the air intake etc to find it.

Although reading wolverine's post, snapped exhaust manifold studs are more likely though

[The Dan]

Exhaust manifold or manifold to turbo gasket leak.

yep

[Rolls]

something is leaking, could be exhaust or intake side.

[blah_blah]

Cheers guys much appreciated will convey the message when I call the workshop tomorrow.

The invoice says they 'replaced and reseale rocker cover gasket' & 'replaced exhaust gasket' so i'm guessing something wasn't put back together in the process.

Oh well nobody's perfect and just human error i guess. As long as there happy to fix it for no charge then all is well i guess.

[Rolls]

Why did they replace the exhaust gasket?

[blah_blah]

Not sure I had to get a road worthy certificate done due to a defect and he said there was an oil leak and exhaust leak so he said he had to fix a bunch of stuff

[Rolls]

I wouldn't go back there, sounds like he just fixed stuff for the sake of it.

[blah_blah]

Yeah well this workshop was supposed to be my girlfriends family friend and has also been mentioned by a very reputable tuner on this forum.

But yeah won't be going there after this is fixed. There were other very questionable things that had to be fixed which other workshops said shouldn't have. But no need to go into here.

Lesson learnt I guess.

[lotsalag]

hope u get it all sorted mate, even if some stuff wasnt necessary for rwc at least u didnt get reamed, ive heard of some people getting bent over for all sorts of stuff come rwc time

Edited July 17, 2011 by lotsalag

[AngryRB]

hope u get it all sorted mate, even if some stuff wasnt necessary for rwc at least u didnt get reamed, ive heard of some people getting bent over for all sorts of stuff come rwc time

Hey i thought all skyline whistled??? but you must be talking about an unusually loud whistle,

What exhaust gasket was replaced?? was it a dump pipe gasket??

if it was then make sure it is the proper one, its a steel type one not a paper looking one, big difference in the two, it expands with the heat, the paper ones arent for the dump and they burn up and leak as i found out , either way when the dump isnt sealed properly that makes it whistle alot, plus what others have said with manifold.. not sure about intake manifolds making the whistle??

are all the bolts tight on the dump?? some bolts are a prick to tighten up and might need retightened later too..

[Rolls]

Lol you used a paper gasket in the dump pipe? hahah

if they did the dump chances are that is what is the issue, it is a piece of piss to do yourself, new gasket is about $30.

Edited July 17, 2011 by Rolls

[blah_blah]

Not sure which part of the gasket was replaced but on the invoice it says '3in' @ $32.

My normal induction noise is a broad low suckin noise from the panel filter. But this noise is a high pitched noise coming from somewhere.

Wil keep you guys updated once it's fixed and diagnosed

[rondofj]

I had the same high pitched whistle at high boost 12psi when i bought the car, few months down the track the whistle went away and car started sounding like a tractor - turned out to be a shagged turbo-manifold gasket, $18 from an autoparts place, replaced that and the sounds a nice smooth RB Note now, plus got me a good amount of response

[AngryRB]

Lol you used a paper gasket in the dump pipe? hahah

if they did the dump chances are that is what is the issue, it is a piece of piss to do yourself, new gasket is about $30.

lol.. i know but that was given to me by a workshop, its not all paper, its got metal on the outside of it so it looked half decent, it just burned up after a week...

[blah_blah]

Just an update I called the workshop today and I said it may be a Exhaust manifold or manifold to turbo gasket leak but he said it was unlikely.

He explained, can't remember what he said because it was technical and way over my head in understanding, but he said the gasket that was replaced would have nothing to with the above mentioned leaks.

I guess its hard to talk to someone when they speak technically, you have no idea what there talking about so you can't really argue anything response.

In any case will be dropping of the car this Saturday and he will have a look at it. Will let you know of the results.

[wolverine]

Just an update I called the workshop today and I said it may be a Exhaust manifold or manifold to turbo gasket leak but he said it was unlikely.

When a problem pops up find the last thing you changed and you often have your answer...so I would put it as more than likely a great place to start looking.

[AngryRB]

I wouldnt be taking it back there, id check everything yourself like everyone has said,

since it wasnt doing it before, and you said he replaced rocker cover and exhaust gasket ( assuming dump pipe) then theres your answer

ive had pretty much the same with mine, and it was all to do with the gasket being the wrong one, also you dont need any gasket goo on that fitting, incase you can see any

The people on here know there skylines better than the average mechanic , and they dont get paid for there knowledge so they are the tech people in most situations

[The Dan]

To start with, they may not be ripping you off so there's no reason to jump to conclusions. By the sounds of the information you have given, they have replaced a cam cover (rocker cover) gasket and a '3in' gasket (which could be a 2 bolt 3 inch flange gasket for the cat etc). The gasket between the turbo and manifold is reasonably common to fail in these anywhere around 120k. We do one around every month or two so I would say it's the most likely cause. If it's a cooler pipe making the noise then it could be from them removing it to gain access to the cam cover gasket in which case, they should fix it....but.....if they did a 3 inch gasket at the cat converter and a cam cover gasket, then no, it is purely coincidence that the turbine inlet gasket has blown.

Certainly no reason to give them the flick straight away. Take it back to see what they say, if they say something technical, get them to put it in writing and post it here. I am fluent in tech speak.

SAU won't let anyone rip you off