What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Does my Vauxhall Cavalier have a turbocharger problem?

I have a 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier turbodiesel with a 1700cc Isuzu engine fitted. It has just passed the MOT but I have been having problems with the power. It pulls ok on the straight but when I go up any sort of hill it seems to lose some power. I can't feel the turbo kick in (I'm not sure whether you should feel it on a Cavalier, compared to the Peugeot I used to have). I have checked the pipes and can't find any splits, and I have changed the fuel filter and two air filters but it doesn't seem to have helped. I'm wondering now whether I'm expecting too much from the car, or whether is this is just how the 1700 engine pulls in a Cavalier.

Asked on 3 September 2010 by joemaiden

Answered by Honest John
I'd assume from this that the turbo is not working. I used to run one of these cars, and while no ball of fire, you could feel the torque coming in at about 1800rpm.
Similar questions
The last two years have seen us drive to our holidays in Southern France and Spain in our 2004 SEAT Alhambra TDI 130. The journeys have been uneventful, apart from a particular section of the Massif central...
I pull a large caravan with my 2006 Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI 115ps, within towing regulations. In France on a long hill, not overly steep, there was a big drop in power - it felt like the turbo dropped out....
We have a 2006 Ford Transit Connect which passed its MOT two days ago, but now it has no power. It feels as if there is no boost from the turbo. I've checked all intercooler hoses and found them to be...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer