Thread: Leaking Turbo

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and wish to get some much needed advice. I have a 91 Eagle Talon AWD Turbo ASI. I just had the cylinders honed, and got new pistons, valves, and rings. Now, I was informed that my turbo is leaking internally and, of course, externally. The shop gave me an estimate of $500 parts and about $475 labor. Another place gave me a price of $350 for a salvaged turbo and they can have an employee install the turbo for $150. So, I have a few questions for you....
(1) Is it difficult to install a turbo?;
(2) Is it advisable to continue to drive with a leaking turbo;
(3) If I continue to drive with a leaking turbo, how will I know when it's time to replace the part or get another car?

Thanks, Kitten :)

It's easy to install a turbo for most. Very straight forward and nothing that requires a professional or specialty tools. If the turbo is leaking oil or coolant it's simply leaking into the intake track and burning off in the engine or leaking off into the exhaust and burning off. I wouldn't drive the car hard or put off swapping turbos too long. Keep an eye on your oil level and coolant level daily also.


If the turbo actually comes apart, you can do some major damage to your engine if pieces are injested. I would lay off the peddle and get it swapped out asap but $900+ is just plain theft. You should be able to get a used 14b (stock) turbo for under $200 and I wouldn't pay more than $200 for an install either. Good luck

Wow! Thanks for the quick response. Any suggestions as to where a $200 turbo is hiding :?:

If you want an example of total cost, I'm actually doing an install tomorrow morning for a friend of a friend. He's getting a 14B in a 2G which requires a few extra parts so you could get away with a little less.

For the 14B turbo, boost gauge, boost controller, gaskets and misc parts, and labor to install all three, his total came to ~$475.

Pretty inexpensive upgrade/replacement.

Check out www.craigslist.org It's a huge classified site and it's pretty common to fiind people parting out their DSM's. Good luck!

Never buy from www.dsmtrader.com . No matter what. Best advise ever :)

Originally Posted by Shane916

Never buy from www.dsmtrader.com . No matter what. Best advise ever :)

What's wrong with DSMTrader??? :?: I've never personally bought anything from there but have considered many times... seems like a legit site.... :?: