Every Upgrade is a Hassle

[GN FAN]

i swear i can't do anything that's simple. got a good deal on a nice 3" downpipe from Gbodyparts.....go to install it. looks straight forward got all the parts and tools i need. get the stock dp off no problem...sawzall made quick work of it and my test pipe and got the new cutout on. go to take the stock housing off the turbo two bolts come out fine with pb blaster the other two snap off. buy some extractors, they can't get the studs out now the turbo has to come off and possibly be replaced.....got everything off except the 3 bolts to the exhaust manifold....they have been soaking for a day now and wont budge. if the torch doesn't work i don't know what to do i've broken more stuff on this car just replacing things or trying to upgrade what gives? i just have bad luck i guess.

 

[RUQWKNF]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Turbo Buick ownership and upgrading. It sounds like your car may indeed be testing you to see how you behave. I firmly believe that these cars have a heart and a soul. If you treat them right, they'll treat you right. They are constantly testing you. All three of my cars (2 previous to my current) really tested me over the years, but I still love em. Once they are in your blood, you never loose the passion. My advice, don't get mad and start cussing her or throwing stuff, just keep your cool, take a lot of breaks, for this is a test. Heck, even this past Tuesday night I went rounds with my car Sarah, removing some simple bolts and a bracket for my stock location IC. A simple job that should have taken me no more than 10 minutes, wound up taking almost 2 hours. I just kept my cool and took breaks and kept at it. You definitely have to have a lot of patience when working on these 20+ year old cars, but you just have to keep telling yourself, it will be worth it in the end. Anything worth doing, will require a lot of patience and persistence. I feel your pain. A torch should loosen the nuts/studs so you can get the turbo off. Use caution when removing the oil drain line as we don't want to move it much, or else it could become kinked and or cracked, leading to a massive oil leak large enough to set off alarms at your local EPA office. Quick, save the ducks!!!

I've seen some new bolt extractor tools advertised recently that show some promise for getting your broken dp bolts out. Once you get that issue straight, don't forget to use anti seeze on the bolts and don't tighten each one down until you have them all started. The bolt holes in the dp flange have enough play in them that you can move the downpipe around slightly in order to line up the bolts. Once you have all 4 bolts started, position the pipe so that it clears surrounding items, then while holding the pipe, tighten each bolt. Cake from there on out. One other tip, when you go to re-install the turbo, if your oil drain gasket is intact, you can get away with cleaning it up, and re-sealing it with copper high temp silicone. If not, most of the turbo vendors can supply you with a replacement. Use just enough silicone so that excess doesn't drip into the lifter valley via the oil drain tube and clog up a lifter. I always install the oil drain tube first before installing the turbo, but either having someone support the turbo, or let the turbo rest on the header without it being fully seated. Some have had great luck with replacing the factory 2 bolts with studs and nuts. I can see where this would make installing the oil drain a whole lot easier. Also, make sure your 3 bolts are tight and install a new 3-bolt gasket with high temp copper silicone if your car does not have one already. I've had those 3 bolts come loose a few weeks after installing the turbo on me in the past, so make sure they're tight. Check really good for leaks before going out for a test drive.
Try not to get discouraged, hang in there and we're all here for you.
You're car will love you for your patience and TLC.

Just remember, How would Tennessee treat Herbie?

Patrick

 

[nordy racer]

get use to it, it has just started for you..

 

[jasjamz]

hang in there! I have had bad days too.
2- broken cranks
1- cracked block
2- blown head gaskets
4- Maf's
2- gen 6 dfi's
4- various size turbos
3-overdrive transmissions
1-th-400
2-torque conveters
2- flat tappet cams
all on my "broken stuff list"

I feel you pain, but it gets better with time. If you can get the bolts out you can replace the housing with a precision one. I just didn't have the heart to keep adding to my "Oops" list. The problems taught me alot... the hard way.

 

[Dreamcar86]

That is not uncommon on a turbo. Don't forget how hot those things get. Know that you have experienced this what can you do differently next time? I would highly recommend anti seize on all bolts subject to that kind of heat. Sometimes you can even tighten the bolt just a pinch before backing it off.
One thing is for sure, you will not let this happen again and that is part of the learning experience.
A good machine shop can get those bolts out for you which I would recommend. Just do not damage the housing or it will cost you even more money.
Take a breath and enjoy the car as it will give you countless hours of enjoyment.

 

[TurboDave]

<snip>

Just remember, How would Tennessee treat Herbie?

Patrick

Hey! Be careful about Tennessee! :wink: :wink:

 

[GN FAN]

thanks guys! i know it's probably testing me and i stopped throwing things a long time ago....it would just cause me to fix more things lol! i've already spent too much money this season on her and this just adds to it....luckily i have a neighbor with more spare parts and cars than i can fathom.

but i'm gonna keep working at it......it just makes me frustrated and it seems everything sorta just brakes at the same time lol. i still love the car i just get tired of breaking it all the time

 

[GN FAN]

That is not uncommon on a turbo. Don't forget how hot those things get. Know that you have experienced this what can you do differently next time? I would highly recommend anti seize on all bolts subject to that kind of heat. Sometimes you can even tighten the bolt just a pinch before backing it off.
One thing is for sure, you will not let this happen again and that is part of the learning experience.
A good machine shop can get those bolts out for you which I would recommend. Just do not damage the housing or it will cost you even more money.
Take a breath and enjoy the car as it will give you countless hours of enjoyment.

honestly, i fully expected things to break it still gets the best of me sometimes. being that i'm the fourth owner the car has gone thru lots of changes i'm sure but not everyone likes to do quality work or take precautions to make sure R&R is as painless as possible.

 

[RUQWKNF]

To quote Tennesse Steinmetz.....

"Deh carzz got hart Jim.."

Herbie the Love Bug 1969.[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnT_PVTcJi4&mode=related&search=[/YOUTUBE]

Buddy Hackett was the greatest. He is my hero when it comes to how to treat a car. Must have been something he learned while studying with those Tibetan Munks or something....


Patrick

 

[GN FAN]

well i got one nut left to go and it's gotta be the hardest one......heat didn't work so i'm gonna soak it some more and try again later.....man one nut is all i need and the turbo can come off. it that doesn't work it's getting cut off with the air wheel of death

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Try using the CRC Freeze off stuff after the heat to see if it will snap it loose with the cold. It'll cause it to contract and it might pull away from the threads after it.

 

[Dreamcar86]

Try using the CRC Freeze off stuff after the heat to see if it will snap it loose with the cold. It'll cause it to contract and it might pull away from the threads after it.

That is great advice! It has worked for me before.

 

[GN FAN]

well no luck on the last bolt....even with the crc freeze. i cut the bolt off but it looks like i need to grind the remnants away. it might be easier to take the entire exhaust manifold off with the turbo still attached.

oh well, tomorrow is another day.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

there enough room to weld a nut onto the remants of the bolt and see if that will break it free?

 

[Underboost]

thanks guys! i know it's probably testing me and i stopped throwing things a long time ago....it would just cause me to fix more things lol! i've already spent too much money this season on her and this just adds to it....luckily i have a neighbor with more spare parts and cars than i can fathom.

but i'm gonna keep working at it......it just makes me frustrated and it seems everything sorta just brakes at the same time lol. i still love the car i just get tired of breaking it all the time

Keep at it the reward of getting thrown back in the seat is well worth it.

My car wouldn't listen until I started slapping it around and verbally scalding it. :biggrin: Now it listens! We all go threw this.

 

[87NAT]

If I had a nickel for everytime I got frustrated with my car.............

 

[GN FAN]

well i have a question.....once i decide what's easier, grind off whats left or take the whole manifold off.........what's the trick to breaking the turbo free from the manifold flange. it seems pretty attached. do i beat on it with a hammer or try to tap a screwdriver or pry bar in there.

i'm so close to finishing this latest go round :biggrin:

 

[Underboost]

Take off the DP, unbolt the oil drain line under the turbo, feed line on top, and the two bolts too the bracket that connected to the head. Make sure you don't forget about the ground wire when reinstalling. The manifold comes off very easy get a floor jack and get the first one under the car by the ac and firewall #6 cylinder. Don't for get to unplug the O2. Once the 3 nuts are off the turbo studs the turbo should come right off the manifold.

 

[54Rich]

well i have a question.....once i decide what's easier, grind off whats left or take the whole manifold off.........what's the trick to breaking the turbo free from the manifold flange. it seems pretty attached. do i beat on it with a hammer or try to tap a screwdriver or pry bar in there.

i'm so close to finishing this latest go round :biggrin:

I feel your pain! I've had this car since May and it's been on jack stands ever since. Everytime I look at something it turns into a nightmare. Which is why it's in the condition it's in. I have four pages of notes of the things I've done just to make it road worthy. Of course I'm picky, so that just adds to it. The interior is starting to go back in and it's looking good. Anyhow, enough of my car and the reason I'm responding:

I had to take apart the exhaust as you'd guess the last bolt would not budge, soaked it, beat it, couldn't get to it to cut it off. I hit it with the air hammer just quickly, mainly out of frustration, and it moved! Bolt came right out. Best $10.00 tool there is.

Rich