Thread: defender TD5 turbo actuator stuck

Originally Posted by mattmac

I went to test my defender TD5 turbo actuator rod was operating correctly after reading various forums- couldn't get it to move with vice-grips -disconnected at turbo end and spray and sprayed some WD40 into turbo shaft which was moving freely but can't get movement at actuator end -do i spray WD40 into actuator end to try free it up or just replace actuator.

I'd replace the actuator, but they do take a fair bit of force to move. They are just a diaphragm and spring, so if it's not moving then it's one of these that is most likely broken. If you have got compressed air then you can check it with that, but be gentle it's only designed to go up to 40psi or so.
With the waste gate, check that it still rotates when you press it in the direction of the shaft. I had a heap of problems with overboost / limp mode (D2), the waste gate seemed fine when I checked it. Eventually found that it had a lot of float on the shaft and the gate would stick open when the shaft floated towards the engine but only when hot. My solution (tip from British Offroad) was the wear the "sticky bit" away by running it back and forth with a pair of multi grips, worked a treat for me.

Cheers Glen

I just replaced the actuator but new one has threads starting further up rod so can't adjust to same number of threads as old one-what's the best way to adjust rod length?

Originally Posted by Dorian

I'd replace the actuator, but they do take a fair bit of force to move. They are just a diaphragm and spring, so if it's not moving then it's one of these that is most likely broken. If you have got compressed air then you can check it with that, but be gentle it's only designed to go up to 40psi or so.
With the waste gate, check that it still rotates when you press it in the direction of the shaft. I had a heap of problems with overboost / limp mode (D2), the waste gate seemed fine when I checked it. Eventually found that it had a lot of float on the shaft and the gate would stick open when the shaft floated towards the engine but only when hot. My solution (tip from British Offroad) was the wear the "sticky bit" away by running it back and forth with a pair of multi grips, worked a treat for me.

Cheers Glen