Need Help R34 Engine Issue

[Mad Series 2]

Ok so I'll start at the beginning my R34 Gtt series 2 had the exhaust wheel snap off the turbo, as I am on a budget I bought second hand standard turbo, running standard boost it drove fine for about a week, then all of a sudden I noticed a noise like a squeal and my boost dropped off, so immediately stopped, it hasn't over heated nor is the oil creamy so was hoping someone might have some idea don't want to pull off the head if it's just a cracked turbo internally is there some way of checking I noticed aswell that I can idle the car no squeal or anything seeming wrong but if I rev I'm getting boost but when it hits max it drops off and I get exhaust fumes out my radiator, any help or tests that I can do would be greatly appreciated I'm on a budget but if it comes down to it I'll pull it off the road until I can scrape enough coin to do turbo and head/ gasket if required but that'll take a long time to save

[Ben C34]

Exhaust leak can cause a squeal.chrcjk that.

A piece of tube next to your ear pointing at stuff works to narrow down leaks.

Did you use a new gasket and use the locking tabs?

[Mad Series 2]

Sorry should of been more specific the squeal was the split in the header tank and I did use brand new gaskets etc when fitting the turbo, I'm more looking for a test to work out wether the exhaust gasses are entering the cooling system from the head or internally in the turbo

[Sinista32]

Ask at Supercheap or Repco. Combustion Leak Tester.

You should be able to buy a kit that will tell you if there is Exhaust gasses in your coolant by the change of colour. (blue to yellow)

Instructions will be on the kit and should take less than 20 minutes.

You can also do a quick test by removing your radiator cap to see if your getting bubbles.

If so:

It will be the head/head gasket.

Edit: Not to say your Turbo isn't screwed also

Edited January 7, 2015 by Sinista32

[Mad Series 2]

I am getting bubbles in the radiator that's how I know that the exhaust is leaking I'm just confused as I thought the head/ head gasket would've allowed coolant into the oil or vice versa ill do a compression test and see what I get, do you know what it should be reading if the engine is within spec, and the only reason I'm suspecting turbo at all is because it's the only thing that's changed and is oil and water cooled so I thought there's a possibility that it could cause exhaust in coolant should a seal fail or housing crack, and because it idles fine but when I accelerate the boost guage hits 7 then drops straight to zero so stops boosting

[Mad Series 2]

Also if it's head/ head gasket wouldn't it have over heated because I've never had a single issue with running temp yet

[Sinista32]

For now the leak is small. Keep driving and you will eventualy see oil in the water. Second hand turbs never a good idea. As for turbo causing gasses in the radiator - no.

[Sinista32]

Compression same a cross all 6. Less than 10% variance. 150 or 160. If 2 are down then likely that s where it is leaking from.

[Ben C34]

I'm always surprised how people think a head gasket failing will always mix coolant and oil.

Looking at a gasket it's the least likely scenario. There's heaps of coolant galleries and not many for oil. So typically a blown gasket leaks coolant only.

[Mad Series 2]

For now the leak is small. Keep driving and you will eventualy see oil in the water. Second hand turbs never a good idea. As for turbo causing gasses in the radiator - no.

So there is no chance that the turbo cracked internally and is feeding exhaust gasses through the cooling section of the turbo out into the cooling system, and ill do compression test ASAP and post results, in order to keep driving the car ill have to get new radiator because too tank on radiator split open so it would've had to over pressurise the cooling system

[Mad Series 2]

I'm always surprised how people think a head gasket failing will always mix coolant and oil.

Looking at a gasket it's the least likely scenario. There's heaps of coolant galleries and not many for oil. So typically a blown gasket leaks coolant only.

I do understand what your saying but wouldn't you still likely get an overheating issue or smoke out the exhaust?

[Ben C34]

I do understand what your saying but wouldn't you still likely get an overheating issue or smoke out the exhaust?

No. It will overheat when it loses enough coolant. It only creates steam when a fair bit is going through. Small leaks don't show up easily.

That's why there are test kits available for checking for the precede of exhaust in the coolant.