1996, 850 Turbo, Turbo Central Band Clamp

[Rbaratt]

I am missing the turbo central band clamp. I'm having trouble finding a part number to purchase. How much of an issue is it to run without it, since I think it's been missing for a while. Is anyone familiar with this clamp that can advise me what size to purchase?

[Ben850]

Is that even possible?

It holds the two sides together under high heat and pressure.

[Rbaratt]

Its definitely not clamped! My ind. mech. noticed this back in April during my yearly state inspection and I forgot to check it out until now.

There are two halves of a clamp dangling but they are missing the bolt (10mm x ???). Access to the clamp is limited and I have not been able to easily remove the two halves. It appears that I may need to remove the dangling clamp halves, to reverse the clamp orientation, so that the hinge is towards the engine to allow me easier access to tighten the bolt. It also seems that I may have to remove the coolant pipe to remove and reassemble this clamp. Lots of corrosion in this area so I am trying to avoid removing things that may break and get me in more trouble.

I have been driving the vehicle without any issues, but I would like to fix this...especially if it's possible that it could cause additional problems with the turbo.

[Ozark Lee]

Running without the clamp bolted is potentially a big problem if the hot side of the housing shifted. As much as the exhaust system moves around I'm surprised that it hasn't already.

The factory bolt is stainless steel and it has an unusual rectangular shape to the head. It is meant for the head to be held captive in the clamp so that you don't need a wrench on the head to tighten the nut. That said, any stainless bolt will work better than no bolt at all.

I can't find that Volvo calls out a part number for the bolt but I'm sure Mitsubishi does. A call to some of the rebuilders like G-Pop Shop would either get you a part number or they may have a bucket full of them from otherwise destroyed turbos and they would sell you a couple.

...Lee

[erikv11]

What Lee said, call a turbo shop they will know right away how to get one. Beware it is a soft bolt, I have bent a couple of them by overtightening with just a little 1/4 drive ratchet (doh!).

That V-band clamp is a bit of a PITA to get to but you can do it, I usually end up laying on top of the engine to take it on and off.

[Rbaratt]

Lee and Erik, Thanks for the information. I will call a turbo shop and see if they can supply me with a new V clamp and bolt. In the meantime I am going to try and remove the old clamp. If I work from the top as Erik suggested, I guess I will have to remove the heat shield over the turbo. I am going to start soaking fasteners with PB Blaster before I start trying to remove them. They are all very corroded which could lead to additional difficulty.

[Ozark Lee]

If I work from the top as Erik suggested, I guess I will have to remove the heat shield over the turbo. I am going to start soaking fasteners with PB Blaster before I start trying to remove them. They are all very corroded which could lead to additional difficulty.

Pay attention to the spring and washer layout as they come off. The springs and washers are different from side to side.

...Lee

[Rbaratt]

I carefully backed off the heat shield fasteners and removed the heat shield, I was then able to set the V clamp halves in place and install a new stainless steel fastener. Heeding Erik's note about not over tightening, I think I tightened it enough to hold everything in place. Tomorrow I'm going to replace the small coolant return hose before I put the heat shield back in place.

Lee, I only removed one bolt with a spring (which was the bolt I was most worried about breaking), but I used lots of blaster and was careful not to force it when it got tight.

Thanks again for your help.

-Rick