[Mk2] [Turbo] My MR2 is sick!

[JapPower]

I have a Rev 1 1990 H reg MR2, which has problems with the turbo not cooling down. With or without the turbo timer. I have installed a new 'relay' to cool the turbo fan. I have since discovered that water is seeping into the plugs, which I suppose suggests the head gasket needs attention. In addition, I have been told that the car uses a lot of fuel as it has been 'chipped' - which helps create the fire effect through the exhaust. I need to know how I can resolve the amount of smoke that emits from the engine, or how I am able to operate the turbo regulator and obviously not to burn so much fuel and then get rid of any smoke as it burns fuel, water & oil afterwards? I thought the head gasket had blown, any other ideas welcome. Need advice please peeps.

Thank again.

[foxy-stoat]

Do you have a boost gauge (not the standard one) if not get one chop chop and find out what boost you are actually running.

Does it have any type of boost controller fitted?

If you pull the air temp sensor on the engine lid the intercooler fan will run all the time, this will not "cool" the turbo tho.

If you have water in the spark plugs then it does seem that your headgasket has gone or going. You should replace the HG and water pump with the thermostate all together, while your at it, check the water hoses behind the turbo out as when these go, they are a pain to sort (also known as Hoses from Hell).

Chipped, really? Look at the ecu in the boot, maybe take a pic of it to see if its standard or not. A different ecu or piggyback doesnt only make it use more fuel, a faulty cold start sensor or lambor sensor can make it run richer, but these engines overfuel anyway.

What fuel are you using, 95ron or superplus?

You need to drive it off boost for a few miles before you switch off to allow the oil to cool down to save the turbo from going poooop and give it enough time for the oil to warm up before boosting.

Sounds like you have bought an abused one, how long have you had it and where did you buy it from, private or trader or ebay?

Welcome to the club tho !

[Steve Horrocks]

By water in the plugs, do you mean down the wells for the plus (where the leads go?)

Also, how do you know the turbo is not cooling down? Cooling down to what?

As above though, what boost (get a proper boost guage) and how do you know it's chipped, what with?