I know theres gotta be someone else out there with my same problems.

I've roasted the turbo to O2 housing numerous times, the manifold to the turbo one (recently).

Whats everyone else using to replace the stock (and aftermarket) crappy gaskets?

I'm so sick of having exhaust leaks and the ensuing fix that i'm ready to do about anything.


Rundown. Stock turbo, stock header, invidia o2, megan dp, test pipe, borla.

Had the DC header, cracked. Had a TTP o2 housing, warped it when the gasket blew out. Replaced it with new, blew it out again. (bolts coming loose)

Put stock header back on, and invidia housing, safety wired all the bolts tight.

After a few track days, hear exhaust again... blew out the manifold to the top of the turbo (melted the safety wire, 1 bolt gone, one half backed out) , the bottom of the turbo to o2 housing (blown out, bolts/nuts still tight), and the downpipe was loose from the o2. (again loose bolts)

Tell me somebody else out there has these problems.

thanks (sorry for the long read)

 

The stock gaskets are pretty tough and thick. The only thing that I could think about is that you have a warped turbo/manifold flanges or o2 housing.

also make sure you use stock studs/screws and torq them to specification which is 42 FTP I think

 

i thought that too, and i did, i had an arched o2 housing, which killed 2 gaskets.

However, then i went new. Had studs killed stuck in the hotside, and one of the vendors was running a sale, so i picked up the tme 6.5 (maybe)? basically was cheaper than a new one, after hotside, etc, etc.

moral of story: when the stuff was safety wired all together, it was all brand new stuff. Lasted since june. so hrm, maybe 4 events.

So sick of tearing it apart, that i'm pondering a turbo upgrade just to get rid of the stock joints.

edit: yes, everything was properly tq'd.

 

morning bump for gasket blasters anon.

 

I think mine is toasted as well. I am hearing the turbo spool even before it breaks vaccuum on my gauge, and I get boost cut every time i go past 20 pounds (easily spikes to 27 without an issue normally).

I normally run around 22 pounds, and on pump gas. Is this a gasket leak on the hotside?

Any advice on how to diagnose it without pulling the turbo off?

 

Diagnose it? Fire it up and stick your hand down there, you'll feel hot air.

Best thing i found/did was pulled the whole turbo, double gasketed it, drilled the head of all the bolts, and safety wired the whole assembly together. 100% locked, no issues anymore. I'll do it for any future turbo i use also.

 

Your leak sounds to be on the compressor and cold side pipes, not on the hotside.

 

Thanks guys.

I appreciate the quick responses.