> Date:    Sat, 7 Apr 2001 21:41:48 -0400
> From:    Sharon Simpson
> Subject: 1982 turbo diesel
>
> Well its been many months and lots of money but the bus is running. I
> posted to the list when we first got the bus for $150. Ther reason it
> wasn't running was just the glow plug relay. That was the good news. The
>
> bad news was there was no 2nd gear. We now have a new tranny, a new
> clutch, timing belt, all new belts and hoses, all lights fixed, 4 new
> tires and a good fuel pump. The problem now is the turbo.
>
> I am taking  it to Midas muffler to see if they can bend a pipe for me
> since we can't get the pipe between the turbo and the muffler anywhere
> in the US. But the turbo is making a whinning noise and I don't know if
> the bearings in it are ready to go or not.
>
> My question is this. If the turbo is going bad is it very expensive to
> repair? Can it be repaired? If it can't can we run the bus without it or
>
> can we just take it off and put a regular manifold on it? Help!
>
> Sharon
>

Sharon, couple things. Turbos whine, does not nessesarily mean the bearings are going
out. At what RPM range does it whine? Idle??? That would be a bad sign, but I doubt
it's doing that. Take it to someone who know's about such things and just let them
listen, they will be able to tell you if it's plainly going bad or if it's just a bit
noisy (too you).

Turbos are quite expensive to buy new, a grand or so would be the lower end of the
scale. If you could live with used that would be way cheaper if you could find one
with lower milage.

If your equiped to run a turbo now, in my opinion you have one of the nicest engines
that can be had for a vanagon. Please don't just remove it, that would be like cutting
off your arm becuase of a sprained elbow.

You got a westfalia with a turbo desiel in it for 150$? Very nice deal, I'm envious!

mark...