Turbo replacement

Hi all
The turbo on my disco 2 is on its way out, I had a recon engine in a few weeks ago but the turbo isn't the best and starting to smoke on acceleration and lacks power. So im thinking about ordering one of eBay but just wondering how easy are they to replace? I can remove and replace but is there anything technical about doing it?
Thanks

You sure the turbo is the problem? MAP sensor among other things can cause lack of power etc.

Hi when the engine was fitted I was told the turbo wasn't great and when pulling off going through the gears it smokes but when it's going/ up to speed it's fine ?

Matt84 said:

Hi when the engine was fitted I was told the turbo wasn't great and when pulling off going through the gears it smokes but when it's going/ up to speed it's fine ?

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I'm no expert, but turbo's usually work or fail, oil seals and bearings can go but may not affect the power, just produce smoke and even engine runaway. As the engine has been replaced, could be a lot of things such as the FIP not set up correctly and the garage could be bull****ting you. I would wan to look at live engine data assuming it's an engine with an ECU.

Thanks for your reply, I say it lacks power but that could just be that the turbo is not working and has poss gone and it seems lacking as I'm use to it working?

You can check the amount of boost quite cheaply, I bought a 0 to 30psi glycerine filled gauge off e bay then some plastic tube and a small tee, disconnect the waste gate actuator feed pipe and fit the tee in there adding a short length of pipe on the other leg of the tee so that you can connect it up again, then I ran the pipe into the cab through the passenger window and took it for a run giving it some throttle up a long hill.
You can see the boost start and if you push it you can see the point when the waste gate opens up and the pressure starts to flutter a little. The gauge is not super accurate but you are measuring the pressure direct and not using an electronic transducer.
My boost was a bit low so I adjusted the rod to the waste gate and tried again until it peaks at about 16 - 18 psi
Certainly gives a good idea what your turbo is doing when you drive in different conditions.

Hi thanks for that will look at getting one, I've just taken the pipe of the turbo and there's oil in all the pipes and the turbo spinner ( not sure of the correct name ) is really loose so I'm sure the turbo needs to be replaced.
Thanks

there will be a lil side to side play as it runs on an oil film. no in and out.

if you go with an ebay cartridge let us know how it goes in a year or so time. seen a couple people say they went bad around 10-20k.. but a couple out of god knows how any sold is nothing.

also i'd just buy a boost gauge and fit it permanently.. it'll be the same price as above

Matt84 said:

Hi thanks for that will look at getting one, I've just taken the pipe of the turbo and there's oil in all the pipes and the turbo spinner ( not sure of the correct name ) is really loose so I'm sure the turbo needs to be replaced.
Thanks

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TD5s are notorious for spitting oil out of the engine breather I had mine stripped last year when I did the clutch and flywheel, there was oil in the hoses and intercooler, I cleaned mine by putting thinners in it, and then washed it out with warm soapy water, then left it standing to dry out for a couple of days while I did the rest of the work.

By the way its an impeller.

Thanks its not just alittle bit of play its like stirring a bowl, I'll order one and see what happens and look at getting a boost gauge fitted permanently at some point. Got alot of cleaning to do then I think.

If there is so much clearance in the bearings then it may be that the impeller has been rubbing on the inside of the casing if this has happened then you should hear it squeal when it runs, but more importantly it will affect your options to repair, i.e. You may need the whole turbo rather than a replacement cartridge if the casing is scored.
May be a good idea to make some deeper investigation and then look at your options.