Salt water into the turbo – any chance of engine damage?

[Dan Kealy]

Happy New Year all!

I finally battled with the rusted/sheared exhaust elbow-to-turbo bolts on the new boat – took the whole turbo off to get at them.

It was my first chance to check the exhaust side of the turbo – a big salt water mess…… It was no great surprise after reading Tony’s Tips and looking at the exhaust setup on the boat, but I could’ve done without it!

Anyway, while I’m working on a dry riser and new turbo, here’s my question:

Should I be worried about any damage to the engine from the salt water getting to the turbo?

She’s a 1992 6BT5.9M 210hp, with 1500hours on the clock.

Thanks, Dan

Topic

[Tony Athens]

Talk about an exhaust design from a true couch engineer.. Needs a complete resign, but luckily, it appears you have have the room.

Can you send me all the pics you posted here in high res, .jpg attachments.. I’d like to add them to my “doomed to failure & result” folder……. Your turbo “innards” are right at the top of the worst I have seen–That took many many years to happen.. How long have you had the boat?

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[Dan Kealy]

Thanks Rob – the manifold looks nice and velvety so it’s a relief that you think damage is limited to the turbo. I still need to clean up that gasket surface.

I don’t know about getting any boost – formerly I’ve had sail boats with little diesels and this is my first with a turbo so I don’t know what to expect! We’ve done about 100hours and chug along at 7knots on 1400rpm which is the most comfortable for the family. I tried the boat at WOT when we first got it, but it only added another couple of knots.

Mike, original exhaust setup attached as photos – the top of the white lift box thing is about an inch above water level!

Thanks for all your help.

[Stephen Oliver]

Pretty similar to the state of mine on my 6bta 300’s when I took the elbows off (port side – Starboard was newer but still rotting out.) Yes they still boosted – no idea how – but testament to how tough the turbos are given these kind of conditions.. I have no boost gauge so cant give figures.. but suspect they were down on boost a fair way but still managing to turn.. and blow some air!

Like mine these are probably beyond a rebuild – I had a second hand one rebuilt – and the outlet sleeved to bring back to original diameter. The original was too far gone and was told if it had been bored out it would have been through to the coolant galleries.

Steve

[Mike Mason]

curious to see some pics of original setup. got any?

[Rob Schepis]

Wow, that turbo is a disaster – were you getting any boost out of it? Any signs that water was getting up into the manifold? I don’t see any – it looks like you may have dodged a bullet there. Have you pulled the gasket remnant off and cleaned the mating surface?

[Dan Kealy]

Thanks Rob for all your help, please see attached.

[Rob Schepis]

How about some pics of the turbo showing the saltwater damage to the exhaust outlet. You have the turbo off, so inspect the exhaust manifold and get us some pics like these

[Author]

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