P38 DSE no boost

I noticed a bit of a blowout at one of the joints on the exhaust manifold.
Took exhaust manifold off to replace gaskets
( no old ones there just paste ) realised I’d bought the wrong ones so when I was in that far I just resealed with paste
All back together and noticed I’ve no turbo
It’s really down in power especially when cold but the longer I’m driving the power seems to pick up but still no sign of boost and a hills are embarrassing if theirs someone behind me lol
This was last night and today I took the intercooler and breather pipe off and cleaned out then blew airline through them but I noticed I can’t turn the turbo turbine with my finger at all which I assumed would be possible
It’s a bit more powerful now although boost is still being shy.....help needed please

Dropped something into the turbo? Or your manifold sealant is not doing the job.

Also I put a bit of paste on the lower gasket at the turbo too as that gasket has seen better days

Bigshuey said:

Also I put a bit of paste on the lower gasket at the turbo too as that gasket has seen better days

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Sounds like you pasted the turbo.

Datatek said:

Dropped something into the turbo? Or your manifold sealant is not doing the job.

Click to expand...

No sign of blowout now around manifold

Datatek said:

Sounds like you pasted the turbo.

Click to expand...

Should it come good ?

You say you cant move the turbo impeller?
Not normal at all.. you should be able to spin it quite easily.
It should also have a tiny bit of play side to side bit shouldn't rub on the sides of the turbo interior....

No play at all
Not able to turn even with great effort

If I remove the manifold again and have access to top of turbo would it be possible to fish out any possible hardened paste? Or is there anything I could spray in from above to free it and possibly break down any surplus paste ?

It may be better to remove the turbo and check for any damages.
Worst case scenario, if its jammed and was damaged when jammed it is possible that if you free it off without thoroughly inspecting it, you could throw debris into the top end!! A simple mistake could be an expensive one buddy!!

Damm
A simple job might end up a big one

Hopefully youve caught some crap in it.. just be sure to be sure!!

Could it clear by driving it ?

Post 10 dude, post 10!!

Quick update
Went to the shop there and it definitely sounds like turbo is working but still not getting away as it was before and still struggling uphill
I’m going to drive it for a day or so and see if there’s any change
I know the in tank pump isn’t great could it be connected to sluggishness?

If your turbo is seized as you said then start there!
Dont search for something else when you have a clear fault in front of you.
Logic wins dude!

If its not the turbo check the map sensor on the fuel filter housing, but if you cant turn turbo start there first.

Like every body has said its the bloody TURBO ! Went down this road when a guy do just the same on his turbo diesel transit , managed to fish out all the (by now) rock hard paste and it lived again.

Keep driving it and budget for a new turbo and quite possibly a new engine. As others have said when you have an obvious fault, a seized turbo, why go looking for other answers to the problem?

Sure I can hear the turbo now
It wasn’t spinning manually but I’ve done around 30 miles since that so maybe it freed up