The problem was never with the turbo itself. I owned a '79 turbo and the turbo cost me all of $80 to rebalance when it went wonky. (There are many turbos used in shipping natural gas through pipelines in our area so there was never any shortage of mechanics familiar with turbos.)

I would end up replacing the $3.00 diaphragm often as it would dry out and crack, thereby producing another, unwanted outlet for the turbo gases and producing a "bucking" phenomenon if you induced the turbo to work while the diaphragm was broken. The car was driveable if you treated it as a 4cyl and used the gas gingerly until you replaced that $3.00 diaphragm. (a 15 minute procedure).

The initial problem had always been with the heat a turbo generates in the rest of the system. My biggest problem was always with the exhaust manifiold, which cracked a couple of times because it couldn't take the heat. The valves were OK as they were sodium coated. (Have you ever seen a sodium coated valve dropped into a bucket of water?)

The exhaust manifold gasket could be another heat-induced problem and the head itself could warp as it was alumium. All these heat problems have been worked out. Saab makes one of the strongest, longest-lasting engines in the world.

• Turbos: How Long Do They Last?, The Heckler, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 10:19:50
  • I have 208K on original turbo in my 87 n/m, KL, Tue, 24 Apr 2001 10:15:27
  • At 255,000 miles, original turbo, 1987 9000T going strong! n/m, Aaron Gilbert, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 14:28:39
  • Long. Really long., Ari , Mon, 23 Apr 2001 13:13:25
    • Long. Really long. - My experience..., IrieTom , Mon, 23 Apr 2001 15:42:20
  • Re: Turbos: How Long Do They Last?, Turboman, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 12:44:19
  • How long do jet engines last?, John A., Mon, 23 Apr 2001 12:10:40 <-- Viewing This Message
    • How long do sodium coated valves last??, Bill D, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 17:21:52
      • right ..........cooled, John A., Mon, 23 Apr 2001 17:30:19
        • More impressive, Bill D, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 19:43:59
    • coking, John A., Mon, 23 Apr 2001 12:31:09
  • A Good Long Time, Ricky J, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:18:50
  • Like any mechanical item turbos will wear out., Dave Westlake, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:01:37
  • I asked the dealer..., Wes Miller, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 10:47:51
    • Re: I asked the dealer..., Caspar, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:05:02
      • I guess my point was that although Saab, Wes Miller, Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:13:20

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