Oops! Turbo gone. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 11-05-2006, 03:50 AM

Father forgive me, for I have sinned. My damned Beemer's computer warns me when I'm about a half a quart low on oil, and I've gotten a bit spoiled.

I ran my Benz a little too long with the oil too low (thirty lashes with a timing belt) and it started making a raspy noise. It gradually got worse -- I thought it was an exhaust manifold gasket going out. Couldn't find the pressure of an exshaust leak though.

A couple of days ago, the turbo really started to go. What a racket. But when I'd mash the pedal down, the noise would vanish until I'd back off a bit. At idle the noise was intermittant -- I used a stethoscope and the noise was clearly coming from the Turbo.

So, this is my first Benz or turbo diesel of any kind, do you think a bone yard turbo would be good enough? Any signs of trouble to watch out for? Would rebuilding mine be better?

I don't even have it out yet so I haven't examined the damage.

#2 11-05-2006, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

(thirty lashes with a timing belt)

Make that a timing chain for such a sin!

I got my turbo from a junkyard for $30. It's lasted more than a year without any signs of trouble. Just check for excessive side-to-side play, any in/out play, oil in the exhaust side, and damage to the compressor blades.

Shorebilly · #3 11-05-2006, 05:56 AM

Whipped with a Timing Chain.....und den to de camps vere you vill be re-educated or shot!!!

SB

t walgamuth · #4 11-05-2006, 06:08 AM

the turbos tend to be very long lived. before tearing it all apart i would be sure of the diagnosis. a bushing and o ring kit can be bought rather inexpensively, around 129 i think, so that might be an option if you dont have parts that are too damaged.

also if it is indeed chewing itself apart you should also change your oil and filter.

and as noted letting the oil get low is one of the mortal sins! one of the few sure ways to kill a benz diesel....or any engine.

as my dear old dad used to say...."son, you can't wean them off of oil".

good luck

tom w

babymog · #5 11-05-2006, 12:40 PM

Maybe you need a few-years newer Mercedes so you have all of the idiot lights like the BreakMyWindow has.

Shouldn't lose a turbo with low oil, unless it is low enough to have low oil pressure.

- Jeff
190DT

kerry · #6 11-05-2006, 12:48 PM

Does this put you in the same category as Ted Haggard?

I think a boneyard turbo would be a good choice if it checks out.

cmac2012 · #7 11-05-2006, 01:29 PM

I fully accept all beatings and patiently await more. I've always been religious about checking oil, don't know how I could slip up so. FWIW, it was just barely showing on the bottom of the dipstick when I first noticed a bit of extra noise.

Good call on the oil and filter, I'll know more when I pull it out. Kragen, or rather CSK (Checker, Shucks, Kragen) on line has a rebuilt turbo for around $850. (gulp)

A boneyard model might be the way to go all right, or maybe a rebuild of mine but it was making a serious racket. We'll see.

I'll drop you a line from the re-education camp -- if it has internet privileges that is.

cmac2012 · #8 11-05-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Maybe you need a few-years newer Mercedes so you have all of the idiot lights like the BreakMyWindow has.

Shouldn't lose a turbo with low oil, unless it is low enough to have low oil pressure.

- Jeff
190DT

I can't remember what the oil pressure was at that time. I know I've read that turbos are vulnerable to temporary lapses in oil flow.

PanzerSD · #9 11-05-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Maybe you need a few-years newer Mercedes so you have all of the idiot lights like the BreakMyWindow has.

LOL that's good.... Break My Window.

BenzDieselTuner · #10 11-05-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorebilly

Whipped with a Timing Chain.....und den to de camps vere you vill be re-educated or shot!!!

SB

yes, that is what u deserve!!

RobTheMod · #11 11-05-2006, 08:33 PM

You may well have a bad turbo, and you certainly let your oil get low, but I don't necessarily think one caused the other.

Before I was attuned to the oil-consuming habits of my 300SD, I let it get way too low. How low? Low enough to make the gauge wobble down to 2 bar when changing lanes (slosh!) How low is that? 3.5 quarts below the full mark.

My turbo makes 12 psi, quietly, anytime I want. If I couldn't kill the turbo, I'm skeptical that you did.

I keep her full of Rotella with a check up at each refueling now. That was last year...

cmac2012 · #12 11-06-2006, 01:50 AM

Interesting. I don't feel so bad now. I don't think I was that far down on oil -- might have been. It was barely on the bottom of the stick when I discoverd my CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.

My car is no cherry. The odo said 171K when I bought it but there were numerous question marks in its ancestry. The guy I got it from was a flake. Not my wisest purchase but the body was good, it seemed to run well, and I got him down to $1400.

Anywho, the pick 'n pull chain around here has numerous 126 diesels, and there are three branches within my range. If I get away from this for under $100 and some labor, I'll be doing fine. I'm relieved it's the turbo and not something deeper inside the engine.

cmac2012 · #13 11-06-2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got_The_Benz

LOL that's good.... Break My Window.

Ahh-ah-hem...

Mine is "Brings More Women."

Hit Man X · #14 11-06-2006, 01:58 AM

Breaks My Wallet

I know, these damned hydroboost systems are a mother when they are bad.

I too vote for the parts yard turbocharger. FWIW - my SD ran on about 3qt of oil (dont ask what happened) and the turbocharger is fine.

cmac2012 · #15 11-06-2006, 02:50 AM

"Breaks My Wallet" is actually closer to the truth.