XR Dougie

Alright folks, just got maself a 89 Escort RS Turbo, mainly had rs2000's and xr130s before hand.

So very new to the CVH on hand. Read plenty about them but actual experience with thme is none.

Currently the car aint boosting worth a **** I think either the rings are worn or the actuator (a cossie one ) is shagging it senseless.
Also as usual the stem seals are away on it.

My options are a rebuild or a transplant.

Been quoted 350 for a 2nd hand engine ( but no guarantees it runs) or a rebuild at £???????


So come on guys give me a wee hand here, what you reckon and how much??

CheeRS

Dougie

vroooom ptssssh

well the rings cant be worn that bad that its not holding boost, as it wouldnt run then!

so engine could be fine...stem seals arent a HUGE job, an able mechanic should be able to do them.

I'd say actuator is probably weak and not holding boost, how do u know how much boost its...not running? guage? guage hooked up properly?

Davie

Welcome, i'm also a new RS Turbo owner, and from Scotland. From my limited knowledge i would say it's the actuator. Get a hold of the rod and push it back and forth is it free?

Wastegate could be stuck open, causing no boost.

Is it smoking badly?

XR Dougie

Smoking on start up only, as far as I know not had it out much as dont want to make a problem worse.
In my opinion the acutator is wrong as its a cossie one and dont think its setup properly!!

So first things first I think Ill look for a standard actuator and go from there.

Its boosting to 1 bar as I have a boost gauge on dash. Pops and bangs and farts in 4-5th gear if you give is some welly also.

SafeChav

You say you think the rings are gone, and if its smoking..........how do you identify the smoke as coming from stem seals?

Wrong rings = blue smoke and pressure build up int he breather system.

Why dont you start with the basics and do a compression test before you start buying random parts in the hope it will cure the fault.

XR Dougie

It was a friend of mines before I bought it and he's a trained ford mechanic. Reckons its the seals but Ill go from the compression test and see what happens.

Cheers

Davie

1 bar is a LOT! thats about 16psi.

Whats the full spec of the engine? At that boost and if the fuelling isn't right, you could have done more damage than good

As above, do a compression test, see what the health of the engine is like.

SafeChav

When it comes to cars mate people will tell you anything to sell a car.......

XR Dougie

Its a standard setup, (as far as I know) Cossie Actuator, Dump Valve and S/S exhaust is all that concerns this area.

Ill double check what its boosting at Im sure its 1 bar, tho dont quote me

SafeChav

1 bar aint standard........

XR Dougie

Correction, its achieving 8 -10 psi

Im not saying this car is a minter sweet runner, but I am also not naive and wouldnt have done a deal if I didnt think it was worth it.

SafeChav

I'm not trying to say anything like that

s2 ben

i thought you said it wasnt boosting. sound like it needs a decent set up to me if it is popping and banging also are you still using standard hoses becouse they are probably collapsing when on boost

XR Dougie

Nah I said it wernt boosting worth a ****, needs a good setup and a look at by the likes of Alan at AVA or Stu at MSD

Its all aftermarket hoses as far as Im aware.

Problem is my mate received it as a px against his cossie and the guy didnt know what spec it was so therefore my mate and me both are unaware of the spec.

SafeChav

As i say start with the basics, compression test should tell you a lot about the engines health

Davie

8-10psi is standard boost mate, mine registers about 8psi peak and drops a little. Mine is also needing set up.

When you say it's not boosting, what is your definition of not boosting, what are you expecting?

At standard boost you won't really get a 'kick', it will be much more progressive.

If it's popping and banging like you say, first thing i would do is service it with decent plugs, fuel filter and clean the filter if it's aftermarket, or change the panel filter.

Then get it set up on the rollers to have the fueling set up.

Smoking on idle, from my experience of jap turbo cars is oil getting past the turbo seals, and perhaps might not be the stem seals as you previously mentioned?

addiction

1 bar is 14.5 psi actually

vroooom ptssssh

7-8psi IS standard boost.

I'd give it a service, NGK BCR 8ES plugs gapped at .75mm, fuel filter, 15/50 oil, oil filter and then TAKE IT TO AVA!

they will set the car up to whats best for it, tell you whats working an whats not, whats needed if you want more power.... for £60 an hour its well worth it imo to know your cars ok or what needs fixed! if you need the number to book it in i'll pm you it.

Davie

Meh..... whateva !

XR Dougie

Cheers lads all you help is much appreciated and I will get onto it this weekend.

Got some 15" alloys and the standard exhaust to sell so that will help the wallet even if its only a few quid.