1997, 255K. Towing about 5-6K, I was using cruise control towing, and managed to get the turbo to bark twice thanks to people cutting me off going up hills at full boost. After the second time, I heard a rattle in front of the firewall, and noticed the boost dropping from 18 to 5psi fairly quick. The rest of the trip it seemed to happen over 10psi boost, falling to around 5psi, with no change in rpm or load. Checked the turbo out when I got to my destination, found the intake boot has two small rips under the clamp and the impeller has a tiny bit of endplay, no signs of contact to the housing. Baby'ed it home under 5psi for the most part, had no issues. Is there any other possible culprit than the turbo going out? I did already order a new intake boot. Thanks for any input

 

Did it have in/out play or just a little side to side? Those stock intake boots have collapsed before, that could have dropped your boost and power for sure.

 

Small amount of play in and out. Not so much up and down. The noise is what bothers me more. Sounds like it's some kind of harmonic vibration. Is it possible or normal to lose boost from something like this?

 

Any in/out play is not good, a little side to side is ok. I'm no turbo expert, but this I know.

Your ebpv didn't happen to self actuate possibly? Wouldn't be the first time. Did you lose a lot of power at the same time I assume?

 

I know the ebpv sound and boost loss, this is not the same.

 

Just checking to be sure. See if we get some more advice.

 

A ripped intake boot would cause loss of boost and increased noise. I agree with Darrin that in and out play is bad. I would see how it runs with a good boot, and if it stays the same then it is probably something with the turbo. Hopefully others with more exprience with turbos will chime in.

 

Thanks, I will wait for the new boot and see how it sounds. Beings as this doesn't seem to be a usual turbo problem, it gives me hope. I will check the play in it again, my brother did it before and tonight he said it was only a smidge up and down, not in and out. Not around this weekend, but I will get to it.

 

Ok. Got the new intake boot on and also got new boots for the Y while I was at it. Noticed the passenger side Y boot looked fat in the center before taking it off. Once i took it off I found a crack in it that went completely under the clamp to the end. Drove it hard, got up to max boost, nothing weird. Also felt the turbo for myself and felt no play at all in any direction. Will be towing the trailer this weekend, but so far so good.

 

The noise you heard must have been the turbo sucking air through the rip in the intake boot I'm assuming. Glad to hear it's ok now, and no turbo problems
I need to order a replacement intake boot for mine. It still has the factory orange one on it.

 

Ya, I blew a boot off once and I thought I blew the engine!

 

Well, hope that fixes it. I blew a boot off the IC once and thought the same thing Glenn!