sr20 turbo inlet gasket replacement help??????

[bman2033]

hey guys and girls, just like it says i need help with replacing the turbo inlet gasket, it has a leak cause the gasket is broken, any how what i was wondering is could someone with just a socket wrench and some other basic tools be able to replace the gasket there self cause a mechanic wants to cahre between 300-600 dollars just for a piece of metel. I have checked and searched but all i get is no results. If it is possible do i un bolt the bolts that are holding the exhaust headers on and then the bolts that are on the turbo off, then replace the gasket then bolt everything back together?? or is there a better way???thanks for all your help in advance.

[ser2102]

that is by far the worse part of the the exhaust system. for me, its usually an all day event.you have to drain the oil, and coolant.unbolt the header and heat shield. unbolt the heat shield on the turbo, and unbolt the turbo elbow. unbolt all of the intake side of things, and then worm it all out. then once its all out, you can replace the gasket and reuse the locking plates that they use on the turbo to make sure the bolts dont back out on you like they did to me. i have done all this twice. if you dont secure the turbo inlet bolts on the exhaust side well enough, it all comes loose and then you want to shoot someone.

[bman2033]

well i actually looked at it after i got it home today and the engine finally cooled off enough for me to reach in there an touch stuff without getting burnt. well what i found out wasthe 4 bolts that conect the headers to the turbo 2 of the where fit tightly on and the other 2 nearest to the driver one of them i can loosen by hand and was actually about to fall out and the other one did'nt seem to have a bolt on it at all but something was still going through the holes to connect the 2 peices, i dont know if that really explains it all that well but its dark and i dont have a lift or jack and i could not see it from the underneath, so i let my hands be my eyes and that what it seemed to me is the maybe just maybe i can just tighten the 2 loose bolts back, and everything would be cool, is there any special thing that i can put on the bolts that will help them from not moving or unscrewing themselves over time??

[bman2033]

also is there anyone out there that might have the tools to help me with this job that lives in the germantown, maryland area???? i will pay, cause i do not want to pay 300 to 600 dollars for just a gasket and some loose bolts.

[bman2033]

bump bump

[Vr6WantSr20det]

i did this 2-3 weeks ago with the help of my brother. we have basic hand tools and it took us about 6hrs taking our time. You have to drain the coolant, u don't need to drain the oil as long as u let the car sit for a while so it all drains back into the pan. its pretty straight forward just some of the things are a pain to reach. If u do remove the manifold tighten the bolts and use that locking plate, it should keep them from working themselves loose. I didnt have one or time to order one so i couldnt add it but i'll be swapping turbos again soon and will be sure to have one. Normal Loctite and hand tools won't keep it tight cuz it expands and retracts from the constant heat changes... good luck.

[bman2033]

thanks for the info, and i know it would be alot easier if i had a lift and some pwer tools.