I think the next thing to do is take the turbo out and have a look at it. Is there anything in particular to look for?

Ok thanks that makes sense, I'll order a new turbo cartridge I might even treat myself to one of the nice billet hybrid ones. Hopefully that will sort the problem. Thank you to everybody for all your help.

Thats what my initial thought was too. The only thing thats puzzling me is the fact that im not getting more boost pressure. I thought even with the lateral movement in the turbo shaft it should still spool up and although not at its most efficient it should give me more than 6psi boost?

Ive plumbed the boost gauge into the wastegate actuators pipe so the intercooler should have no effects on the pressure im getting, also its a relitivley new full width alisport intercool so im really hoping its not leaking because it cost a fortune :). The impeller does spin freely, but I dont...

Thanks for the reply. I've checked the actuator by running a airline to it and it seem to be functioning correctly.

Ive been struggling for power and with huge amounts of black smoke under accelerations in my 300tdi defender and have narrowed it down to what i think is a dodgy turbo. Ive run it briefly with no air filter and checked the lift pump and the intercooler hoses and replaced one badly corroded...

Hi, I've had a 1997 defender 110 for a couple of years now and have enjoyed every second of owning it, however the time has come to do some work to it. So I've decided to sign up to this brilliant forum, and will shortly be asking some stupid and obvious questions.