Loose Turbo Bolts - growing problem

[kaanage]

Eddy, what do you think about the theory of the Nord lock ones? not sure if the theory works with all the heat / expansion.

They have turbo kits so they must have tested them in the conditions that your bolts are experiencing. Imports Locking Turbo Bolt Kits | Locking Bolts

Hopefully they have the right thread/length that you need.

[Redliner]

They have turbo kits so they must have tested them in the conditions that your bolts are experiencing. Imports Locking Turbo Bolt Kits | Locking Bolts

Hopefully they have the right thread/length that you need.

The stage 8 are different to the Nord lock.
I do remember reading that the Nord lock bolts worked loose on some cars as well.

Check out this thread:
VWVortex.com - big turbo bolts that wont loosen/back out

They suggest exhaust putty dabbed over each bolt which dries like a glue.
To remove the bolts just have to chip away the dried putty.
$10 solution.

[brad]

I've used an exhaust putty like material in the past. We used to use it on aircraft. The main use was to easily check if the bolts were vibrating lose but they also held the bolts in place.

Looking at Eddy's weld job, why not make a similar 3-legged shape set of lock tabs out of 20g or 18g (~0.9-1.2mm) sheet metal or make 3 individual lock tabs that meet in the middle & then you can lock wire the 3 tabs together.

[noone]

There is no space to work on this. I don't know how Eddy's welder was able to work in that space, I never saw the last bolt (closest to the engine), it was done blind. Its a very tight space to work in, I'm sure those working on BT's now can attest to the difficulties in working with minimal access / visibility.

If it were accessible, I could just do them up once a week and not have to remove my airbox to get to one side of the heatshield and my front strut brace to get better access.

I appreciate all the clever ideas, the engine putty sounds interesting, I might have a go with some putty: think this one is ok?

[brad]

Pass.
I can't remember what we used. It was american & expensive - as was every other consumable we had. Damn you Boeing!

[Redliner]

I appreciate all the clever ideas, the engine putty sounds interesting, I might have a go with some putty: think this one is ok?

Looks like what they used on the VWVortex link.
I don't think it matters so much about the brand. It just acts like a glue to stop them moving. Being muffler putty it is designed to withstand high temps..
Good luck. Let us know how you go.

[noone]

Cheers,

Thanks for the link, lots of options. the Stage 8 ones Im just not sure what the tabs would push against and the Nords work for some, not others.

Going to get lazy and just add the putty, see if that does the magic.

[noone]

I did a small application on one of the easy to access bolts last weekend and seems to have stayed put.
I did the other 2 bolts yesterday (with the help of a cut down 17mm spanner with an extended socket area) and went for a little blat just now (curing takes time).

All seems to be good so far, I've applied this stuff to one side of a bolt nut and the manifold, using it like glue.

Time will tell, I'll check them again next week and in a month and perodically, but if this works, I'll be promoting as a suitable solution for normal (KO3) applications.

Not sure how it would hold up for Eddy's or other turbo upgrade applications, more pressure, more heat, more vibration. Would be interested to see if this and the Nord-locks together would work any better, but for the time I seem to have a working solution.