RP Turbo Failure .:SHOCK:.

[jerodmetcalf]

Everyone says RP Turbos are junk and they are. I hadn't heard of turbos failing like this though. I've been having a boost issue since last summer when the clip came off the adjustment nuts on the wastegate and the rod was loose. I got it back in place and the car still built boost slowly and would only peak at about 18 pounds. After much adjustment to the wastegate, nothing changed except a nut seized. Today while swapping the wastegate, I realized the wastegate arm on the outside of the turbo was much further forward than on a K03. Using a boroscope, I looked at the turbo from the exhaust side and found this:




There is a disc that should be there to seal the turbo and allow it to make boost. This is what a good turbo looks like:



The turbo is useless after 7-8k miles from an obvious defect. Maybe it's time for 605s.

[SEXICÄN]

why did you take a picture of a picture? why not just post up the pictures you took??

[jerodmetcalf]

They are on a small handheld screen. You can't save an image with the boroscope.

[SEXICÄN]

They are on a small handheld screen. You can't save an image with the boroscope.

ah

[B5S4Life]

why did you take a picture of a picture? why not just post up the pictures you took??

I was gonna ask this but then......

They are on a small handheld screen. You can't save an image with the boroscope.

I realized this because I put 2 and 2 together

[zillarob]

That first pic is an easy fix, btdt, but the 2nd is party over. bummer man

[Curt_A4]

why did you take a picture of a picture? why not just post up the pictures you took??

BAHAHHA!!!

[panix73]

Looks like the wastegate actuator arm broke off the linkage.. Not sure how it is fastened from the OEM. I think you said bolt? Why not sure weld it on?

[S4 00 2.7]

Yeah, go 605's.

[bigern45]

They are on a small handheld screen. You can't save an image with the boroscope.

can with mine.. ; )

[MAS4K04]

That first pic is an easy fix, btdt, but the 2nd is party over. bummer man

It looks like both img are of the same turbo just one pic with wastegate closed and the other looks that its open. But both show that hes missing that plate.

[zillarob]

It looks like both img are of the same turbo just one pic with wastegate closed and the other looks that its open. But both show that hes missing that plate.

You may be right! If thats the case, its an easy fix if you can find the flapper door thing in the exhaust.



Prob call me a liar, lol. This rp had about 25k hard miles on it when the rivet let go. Luckily he was running piggies so the door was in the 2nd cat.

[bigern45]

liar

[jerodmetcalf]

It looks like both img are of the same turbo just one pic with wastegate closed and the other looks that its open. But both show that hes missing that plate.

That is correct. I believe the other turbo is still ok. I'm sure the flap is gone because this has been going on for over a year and I don't have any cats to catch it. Would it maybe be possible to buy that flap from RP turbo or take one from a K03? I don't know how I would put it in the RP turbo though.

[somebody5788]

It's probably still worth checking the exhaust. You can probably make the flapper thing. I know back when I was in the RX-7's the guys running the stock turbo would port the waste gate and just weld on a washer.

[jerodmetcalf]

It's probably still worth checking the exhaust. You can probably make the flapper thing. I know back when I was in the RX-7's the guys running the stock turbo would port the waste gate and just weld on a washer.

I actually just found that: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/s4wastegate.htm
That looks like a much cheaper solution, although I'll still have to pull the engine. The exhaust is out right now and I haven't found that flap. I wouldn't think a normal washer could handle the exhaust temps though.

[julex]

flap must be in your cats, if you still have them. Otherwise somewhere in muffler. I would definitely take the exhaust off and shake the thing out.

[jerodmetcalf]

flap must be in your cats, if you still have them. Otherwise somewhere in muffler. I would definitely take the exhaust off and shake the thing out.

No cats and the exhaust is already off and its not there.

[zakario]

But other than that they're good

[jerodmetcalf]

But other than that they're good

As far as I know. I'm hoping the drivers side isn't shot from working so hard to compensate. I'm thinking of finding an exhaust valve that is similar in size and having it welded in place.

[zillarob]

If you have an old k03 kicking around, measure the door and see if its big enough to cover the hole, might get lucky.

What I did to fix the one above was get a stainless bolt, nut, and washer. A locknut wouldve been nice but nylocks were all I could find, no crimp style (prob cause ss likes to gall and sieze).

The bolt I used had ~1/4" sticking out of the nut when everything was fingertight. Do your best to mock this up on the bench, not happening in the car.
I then used a die grinder/cutoff wheel to split the end of the bolt down to the nut. Might not be a bad idea to cut into the top of the nut a little bit to give it something to grab.

I put the bolt through the door and gave it a couple tack welds on the head/door. Epoxy would prob work if not using a locknut, just need something to hold it until you get it in the turbo with the nut on.

Lever the wastgate open and slip the door/bolt up in there, let off the wastgate, it should hold hold everything now. Put the washer and nut on as tight as you can with your fingers.

Now, get a hammer and chisel or something that you can use to spread the end of the bolt were you split it. This is what keeps the nut from coming off so get it pretty good.

When you are finished, I think it is normal for the door to be a little loose, guessing so they can self adjust a little and seal.

Prob not an aircraft certified fix, but it sure beats pulling the motor for new turbo$. Im guessing the one I did is prob about due for its next oil change, so 5k on the fix and ~30k on the turbos.

[Aggv]

Maybe it's time for 605s.

ding ding ding

do it nice, or do it twice...

[Blake2423]

Where the fuck did it go???

[TweetsS4Estate]

can with mine.. ; )

Mine too . Lol this reminds me of the big lebowski when John Goodman keeps telling Jeff bridges "Calmer than you are"

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I had the same thing happen to the original K03 on my A4. Wastegate flapper came loose, unfortunately it got lodged in to the turbine wheel and seized the turbo up.

Jason

[panix73]

I would try to get another turbine housing from RP with the linkage already installed and then just weld around those critical areas where the OE pieces are failing..
I mean, I guess what they say is true, buy nice or buy twice, but I still would like to see how long these could perform if those areas are addressed by the above remedies, especially considering the RP price comparison.

Best of luck.

[jerodmetcalf]

I wish I had good news to report but I don't. On Saturday, I emailed Clay @ CTS Turbo (who I bought the turbos from) and RP Turbo telling them about the issue. No reply at all. Not that I expect them to hand over a new turbo but a reply would be nice. C'mon Clay, I've spent $2000 on your products.

[DeleriousZ]

I wish I had good news to report but I don't. On Saturday, I emailed Clay @ CTS Turbo (who I bought the turbos from) and RP Turbo telling them about the issue. No reply at all. Not that I expect them to hand over a new turbo but a reply would be nice. C'mon Clay, I've spent $2000 on your products.

Clay is an extremely busy guy right now, send him another email, yours might have gotten buried in the inbox.

[fshowcars]

Clay is an extremely busy guy right now, send him another email, yours might have gotten buried in the inbox.

busy is not an excuse for lacking customer service.. it's like companies that are searching for the next buyer because they made the sale...

[DeleriousZ]

busy is not an excuse for lacking customer service.. it's like companies that are searching for the next buyer because they made the sale...

If it was a phone call and he got ignored after that, then I would agree. But in this case where it's a single e-mail that's easily buried in the inbox, I'd be loath to get upset about it right away.

[ThePeoplesChamp]

sucks to hear about your turbo, which is the reason I got 605's, but then they blew twice anyway haha. Good luck with whatever you do

[fshowcars]

If it was a phone call and he got ignored after that, then I would agree. But in this case where it's a single e-mail that's easily buried in the inbox, I'd be loath to get upset about it right away.

word... i'll give you that. I am sure that I am heard when i have vendor issues... just saying.

[jerodmetcalf]

Does anybody have a phone number for RP turbo? I have emailed them twice with no response and I can't find one on their website. I would like to tell them about their product.

[sCeRaXn]

I had the same thing happen on a GN i used to own. I fixed it by cutting the face off of an old Honda valve i had laying around and grinding it to the correct size. I left around 3/8" of stem on it so that when it came time to attach the puck to the flapper arm all i had to do was stick the little bit of stem through the original rivet hole and then welded it in. This was back before every electrical device had a camera on it so i dont have any pics, but the procedure is pretty self explanitory. Good luck getting it fixed man.

[Scottie2LO]

3 out of the 4 sets of RP's Ive sold have died, the one working set is fucked, but working

[jerodmetcalf]

And the turbo is out.....

[Oompous]

why did you take a picture of a picture? why not just post up the pictures you took??

i picture, within a picture, within a picture.......Piception.

[goosedat]

3 out of the 4 sets of RP's Ive sold have died, the one working set is fucked, but working

That sucks. You could not have said it better yourself. Go 605's and you will never look back, unless of course you want more power.

[sjmelling]

Dead Thread Revival!

[Jake@JHM]

Dead Thread Revival!

Ruh roh!

Are you going to repair or replace?

PS: Your order shipped yesterday