S13 SR20DET Turbo Coolant Question

[Dyl510]

So I just got this thing running, got it up to operating temperature, thermostats opening... no problems there!

I decided to pull off the turbo coolant lines to make sure it's getting coolant fed to it, and good thing I did... because it's bone dry in there!

It's a top mounted stock T25 turbo, with aftermarket coolant lines running to stock locations. There is coolant sitting in the lines at the same level as the rest of the coolant system... it's just not being fed into the turbo itself! The turbo sits just slightly higher than the rest of the coolant system... is this where the problem is?

I would assume that coolant being pumped through the rest of the system would in turn get pumped through the lines and into the turbo, regardless of how high it may be mounted... but perhaps I'm wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

[jspaeth]

Originally Posted by Dyl510

So I just got this thing running, got it up to operating temperature, thermostats opening... no problems there!

I decided to pull off the turbo coolant lines to make sure it's getting coolant fed to it, and good thing I did... because it's bone dry in there!

It's a top mounted stock T25 turbo, with aftermarket coolant lines running to stock locations. There is coolant sitting in the lines at the same level as the rest of the coolant system... it's just not being fed into the turbo itself! The turbo sits just slightly higher than the rest of the coolant system... is this where the problem is?

I would assume that coolant being pumped through the rest of the system would in turn get pumped through the lines and into the turbo, regardless of how high it may be mounted... but perhaps I'm wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

It's very possible that there is air in those lines, and because it is higher than the head, that rather than the air making it's way too the top of the radiator (as is typical when you bleed the system), the air made it's way to the turbo feed line....

Maybe try "bleeding" from there.....

Let the car run and loosen the coolant feed to the turbo a bit and see if you can get some coolant to come out.


If the coolant feed line to the turbo is the "highest point" in the system, all the air will make it's way to that point rather than the radiator cap, causing a pain in the ass.

[Dyl510]

BINGO

Thanks bud!

[jspaeth]

Originally Posted by Dyl510

BINGO

Thanks bud!

Just be careful....see, the thing is....when you have a regular turbo setup, the top of the radiator is essentially the highest point, so you can add fluid THERE and get rid of air...

Trying to get rid of air from the turbo lines on a top mount setup may not be so easy....

Is it possible for you to take the turbo off of the mani and "lower it" down below the top of the head during the filling up of the coolant process.....

Then after this, you can remount it up top?