How can I tell if my turbo's blowing?

[Alex@POD]

I have a Golf Mk3 1.9 TD, 180000 miles. When accelerating the turbo seems rather loud to me (hissing sound), louder than any other TDs I've been in.
It also seems to need a tune up as it smells very much like an old knackered diesel (but doesn't feel like one), and the tailgate is covered in black dust so it smokes a bit when accelerating. No smoke in sight when the engine isn't under load though.

So I'd like to check that there is no leak in the turbo/manifold, is there an easy way to do that?

Incidentally, can anyone think of any other cause?

[stevieturbo]

Sounds like an air leak. Obvious way is to check using your eyes for potential leaks.


Or you can get more elaborate and build a system for pressurising everything, or buy a smaoke machine and use it to check for leaks.

But looking with your eyes is the cheapest.

[Alex@POD]

Agreed, but I'm expecting the leak will be rather small and hard to see with the naked eye. More so if it's between the block and the turbo...

All the hoses are done up tight and look to be in good condition,but there seems to be some sort of oily deposit around one of the fittings. I will investigate further.

Edited by Alex@POD on Thursday 5th August 19:32