wow today was a long fun day. Since saturday my turbo has been running really poor, less power, erratic boost increase, abnormal sound, lower MPG

So first thing I check all plugs and wires. Cylinder 1 had a fouled plug, so I replaced it.

I still had louder engine noise, horrible boost pressure, less power. So, I'm looking at the engine while it's running, hit the throttle rotor to see if I can see or hear anything else, maybe a cracked/torn coupler or vacuum line, anything unusual.....

I see a slight movement with the turbo and nothing else. I hit the rotor again and see the turbo move once again. I'm like WTF, the turbo is directly mounted to the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe, how the hell is it moving. I look up underneath where the turbo mounts to the exhaust manifold and there's 1 bolt holding it in place and 3 empty bolt holes...

I could literally take my hand and wiggle the turbo unit back and forth and that would explain ALL my problems.

Made two trips to Autozone for different length bolts to mount the turbo back up, had to take apart a bunch of stuff to access those bolts with a wrench, threadlocked and double checked EVERYTHING from turbo case bolts, exhaust manifold bolts, exhaust pipe bolts, to intercooler hose clamps. The engine will blow up before anything back out again.

Friday I'll be going to the 1/4 strip, hopefully everything is working like normal

A couple weeks ago got around to installing my Mishimoto radiator, radiator hoses and fan, mishimoto thermostat, new heater hoses that had been leaking for a couple months, looks purty.





I'll be posting my new surprise in a few days or so, can't wait

 

Painted the wiper arms to match the body.

 

I was gonna say. I like your rad/fan/cooling set-up

 

installed cruise control back in and washed the car

 

I haven't done it yet, but I stopped at the dealer and got the valve cover gasket kit for the valve check.
Yesterday I ordered a valve adjustment tool and gauge and pulley puller? kit.
And studied the valve adjustment from a couple other sites.
I'm going to try the library as well, as, since Honda is located in this town, they donated the entire set of repair books to the local library for the 2004 Civic. Like ten huge books.
I saw the super nice sales lady at the dealer who sold me the car. She was all friendly and got my phone number. Not good. She is going to call me, but she will never never say buy a car, buy a car. She will just be all friendly, and then eventually I will just have to buy a new one. Even tho I don't need it (only 40k on my 2004).
How can I say no or not buy if she doesn't ask me to buy? I may just have to buy out of guilt or something; sense of obligation or something.
Well I would like a new one.
dc

 

damn dude, those are sick pedal covers! where'd you get them?

love the cd player too!

 

Drove around the neighborhood hitting the high RPM's. Still learning to drive manual car. Cleaned the front window and chilled in the car listening to some music.

 

was the car...

 

I kick it, making sure the alarm still work..!! don't drive it much, been driven only 1k mile in the last 9 months.

 

I changed my thermostat today. According to my brother's Scangauge2, with the old thermostat, the car would run between 97 and 101 celsius (206 to 214 F) just cruising along on flat ground. With the new one, it runs about 91-93 celsius (195-199 F), and down to about 88 celsius (190 F) on the highway.