Question?

[V6-Sauce]

Should a Turbo be installed by a mechanic, Is there any priming of the turbo when installing?...Or is it just straight bolt on...I'm replacing my stock turbo this year with new rebuilt stock turbo along with a new oil feed line and new oil drain line and turbo/exhaust gaskets...I have a friend that said he could do it for me, He has the air compressor and tools to remove bolts.

 

[TurboDave]

You'll find when you remove your stock turbo and/or headers there are no gaskets. Except the turbo drain line, which requires one. Put everything back that way.

Posted to TurboBuick.com from my RAZR MAXX HD

 

[V6-Sauce]

Thanks, I 'm going to order turbo gaskets from nos4gn, I'm thinking it's better with gaskets considing it's a new rebuild turbo......It's a clean engine, only setup for 17psi. My friend is knowledgeable on TB cars, so I trust him to install which he offered. Ok with the new turbo installed there's no priming with oil or anything?, 1987, It's just bolt out/in job. I havent asked my friend yet.

 

[Nigel]

No priming, the only gaskets on a factory original car is the oil return drain and the inlet bell. Many including myself use ultra copper sealer on the mating flange. I have had very good results as have many others. This is a good time to look at the brass fitting that the feed line connects to and the oil pressure sensor to clean up and check for leaks. Teflon tape or paste seems to work well on the fitting to the block and the pressure sensor. Others may have recommendations here.

 

[V6-Sauce]

ok, thx....put teflon tape on threads on the turbo oil feed line and drain oil line to avoid oil leak. Also new triangle gasket on header and copper gasket that connects to stock exhaust elbow to turbo and new drain line gasket and donut style gasket to connect to stock downpipe...I think I can get everything I need from nos4gn. thx for the reply's fellas

 

[Nigel]

Just to clarify, I have never used the gasket between the header and the turbo, only permatex ultra copper sealer. The brass feedblock that the turbo oil feedline connects too should be checked for leaks while you are replacing the turbo. The feedline to the brass block is a flared fitting and will not require any thread sealer, but the brass block connection to the engine block may and the oil pressure sensor may if they are leaking. I never use a gasket between the stock exhaust elbow and the turbo, only some ultra copper here too. My results have been very good doing this on 5 or so turbos.

 

[626gn]

If you must use thread sealer use a paste only. It only takes a tiny stray piece of teflon tape to ruin a good hair day.. even if you have no hair . Not worth the risk.

 

[TurboDave]

the oil feed fitting has NPT threads and the pipe is a flare fitting. Putting teflon tape on that type of fitting is a total waste of time and effort and will stop NO leaks. And will likely cause more issues if tape gets inside.
That fitting requires NO thread sealer and if it's going to leak, thread sealer won't stop it!!

Also, using gaskets on the turbo, where none were to begin with is going to cause more problems, especially had the mating surface where the turbo mounts to the header. Using a gasket there WILL cause the mating surfaces to warp, and you will forever be doomed to use gaskets.
It's best to just use a very thin layer of Ultra Copper sealer!!

I hope it's not your friend that's advising you to use copper gaskets, and the thread sealer on the oil feed line. If it is, please find someone else to do your turbo install. You're receiving questionable advice.

 

[V6-Sauce]

no, I didn't ask him about the gaskets...I just thought that it would need gaskets because I notice alot vendors sell them. thx for the feedback on experience's. The lines shouldnt leak, the old ones don't even leak. The new oil feed line is stainless steal version from kirbans($50) and the drain line is new GM originial($200) with gasket is from nos4gn, both correct lines for TB brand new in the bag. The paste I can pick up at napa or parts store.

 

[bison]

No priming, the only gaskets on a factory original car is the oil return drain and the inlet bell. Many including myself use ultra copper sealer on the mating flange. I have had very good results as have many others. This is a good time to look at the brass fitting that the feed line connects to and the oil pressure sensor to clean up and check for leaks. Teflon tape or paste seems to work well on the fitting to the block and the pressure sensor. Others may have recommendations here.

Don't use Teflon tape. The tape can enter then oil feed and cause a lot of damage by blocking holes.

 

[V6-Sauce]

thx bison, I'm going to get a hold of u soon...after I do alittle spring cleaning.takecare