Turbo trouble

[jon gould]

Can anyone tell me whether a Montego turbo diesel with run with a shot turbo, or does the loss of the turbo stop the car ?

Cheers
Jon

[E_T_V]

Yes and no..

I'll run just fine, smokey and no power but it'll run

BUT and it is a big but

If the turbo oil seals fail you'll quickly empty your sump which would be a more serious problem.

I'd try and have the facility to un-plumb the oil supply should this happen. It shoudn't be difficult to arrange, as the non turbo engine is identical.

[MGTurbo]

The Turbo Diesel does have minor differences, lower compression, piston crown jets etc, but only in an emergency should you use the engine with the turbo disconnected. With it still in place with no oil supply the shaft on which the exhaust turbine/inlet compressor would quickly seize causing an obstruction and a big build up in back pressure. In other words, if the turbo is failing to produce boost you may have a wastegate problem, or it would smoke like a good un.

You would have to convert to NASP Diesel which would mean differents manifolds and downpipe arrangement. In short, it may be worth getting a 2nd hand turbocharger or a rebuilt unit which you can get for around £250.

Gareth