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Back from the dead turbo

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by devo1, Dec 24, 2011.

  1. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    Its alive! I put in some 110 leaded race gas in it and cranked for a while. It filled the garage full of smoke! the turbo and exhaust were full of oil from sitting for years. After it cleared up, it purred like a kitten, Idles perfect, runs smooth. Cant ride it yet, the tires are dry rotted. Gotta check the brakes too.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    I couldn't have done it without the help from everybody here!
     
  2. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    Hey Devo1,
    Before you destroy anything, did you check/ adjust the valve clearances, and sync the carbs, inspect the brakes including the delamination check, and fluid bleed, and also break-in the new tires??

    Good to see another Turbo bike running !!

    Happy Holidays !!
     
  3. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    Took her out and put some miles on today. What fun bike to ride! It's still on the stock boost control: wastegate opens at 12psi. Kinda startled me when I heard it snap open. I haven't done the fork seals and springs yet. Maybe tomorrow.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    BEAUCOUP IMPORTANT especially with a turbocharged motor.

    Equally important would be pulling the rear wheel to visually inspect the rear brake shoes, before you end up wrecked.
     
  5. slowboattochina

    slowboattochina Member

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    Looking good! Hopefully I'll get to start mine this weekend.
     
  6. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    Thanks guys. Not to worry, all of that stuff been done(bench synched the carbs for now)This is just a test run to check the motor and turbo. Then all of the body work comes off again. Rebuilding the turbo, installing the boost control and r6 front brakes.
    Slowboat, the Progressive fork springs made a world of difference. Also check your petcock, mine didn't really shutoff until I rebuilt it.
     
  7. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    If anybody is curious about my investment in this. I paid 400 for a non running bike and I've spent 926 on it. I'm not counting cases of carb cleaner!
     
  8. dinoracer

    dinoracer Member

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    Curious as to why you are rebuilding the turbo?? Is the turbo leaking? exessive play in the bearings?If its not coming up on boost replace the spark plugs before you do anything else. The ignition system on this bike is very weak and its $300 plus versus 20 bucks for new spark plugs. If the bike is falling on its head at about 7000 in 3rd gear its time to replace the plugs. I spent a ton of money on fuel pumps and fuel pump regulators only to find out that the ignition system on this bike needs help. I would go through a set of plugs about every 5k.
    Sean
     
  9. JeffK

    JeffK Well-Known Member

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    That's really good advice Dino....a lotof guys go through the same thing. I ended up buying sled coils to troubleshoot my lack of ignition.

    Devo, he's got a point....what has indicated a rebuild for the turbo other then maybe some peace of mind? Were you able to wiggle the turbine even just a tiny bit with the exhaust removed? If you can detect movement in the shaft, it needs a rebuild---fyi.

    I know that you're waiting for the throttle seals to show up later this week and that you have some other things to do so I won't bust your chops.....because I know how it is sometimes when you just can't wait to ride it, just to know that it runs and to feel the engine....yeah, I've been guilty of that too.....(most of the guys here are too, they just won't admit it<LOL>)

    For the money involved, as long as you can do your own work, these turbos are a steal. Like you, I paid very little for mine. At last tally, I had less then $1,200 into it and that included new shims, complete seal and carb kit, solenoid valve, turbo rebuild kit, boost gage and controller valve, pads & shoes and some other stuff. That even includes the part I bought in August to fix my electrical issues!!

    To have a bike that runs as nice and produces the amount of power that this does @ 18psi for well under $1,500 is a deal in any book!

    Congrats again and I'm glad to hear that it runs so well!!

    jeff
     
  10. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    Peace of mind. The rebuild kit is only $109. I would like to to take the turbo apart and clean up the wastegate opening like Jeff did. I know i'm really lucky to find this little wrong with this bike. I had charging issues until I found a bad connection of the red wire going to the voltage regulator. I can't figure out why the PO parked it!
     
  11. tskaz

    tskaz Active Member

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    You just answered your own question

    Translated that means: PO says, "The damn battery keeps going dead, I'm just gonna sell it."
     
  12. JeffK

    JeffK Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, chances are very good that TZK is right. A lot of "riders" don't have the slightest understanding of how their bikes work, nor the inclination to learn.

    Im curious, did you find multiple bad connections with the white multi-prong connector behind the battery? Mine ended up melting because I had neglected to check it. Evidently, these models are famous for that being an issue.

    I rebuilt the turbo for the same reason. I figured that I was planning on stressing it way past the factory's 12-14psi so I'd chuck up the bucks and at least start from a given condition. So far, it's been fine.

    jeff
     
  13. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    It was the red wire going to voltage regulator. PO must of taken it out of the factory connector and put it together with spade ends. If you can see it, it actually got hot enough to bubble the plastic.
    [​IMG]
    I cut it out and soldered it direct and shrink tubed it.
    The wires you are talking about, Jeff are right behind it. I may have to do something with them too.
     
  14. devo1

    devo1 Member

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    This showed up Friday:
    [​IMG]

    Made the bike look like this:
    [​IMG]

    A shot of the ol Max:
    [​IMG]
     
  15. pirok

    pirok Member

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    What a nice looking Turbo. Remember to clean the Relief Valve in the oil feed line to the turbo, they are known to collect some sludge and therefore not closing properly causing oil leak from the turbo. If there is some oil on the floor it's probably the cause (- not the turbo). AND don't destroy the valve you can't get a new one.
     

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