Did I screw up this turbo?

[michigandon]

Replaced the 18. 5CM housing with a 16, and of course it was a real BEEEYACH getting the old one off. Prior to reassambly I noticed that the turbine wheel had an ever-so-slight wobble when it was turned by hand. Is it safe to operate like this or do I need to repair/replace it?



The more I think about it, the more I decided that I had better ASK about it BEFORE I fire the engine and have it shake itself to pieces afterwards.



Don

 

[sparks57]

Some motion is OK, but not good. I would suggest rebuilding it.

 

[jbolt]

Probably not.



All bushing bearing turbos will have some side to side play. This is normal. The shaft floats on a cushion of oil when running for lubrication and cooling. As long as the compressor and/or turbine wheel is not rubbing against their housings you should be okay. Now if you have end to end play the thrust bearing is worn and you would be a candidate for a rebuild.



Holset has a service manual you can download. This will give you the operating tolerances and a checklist for things to look for.



Jay

 

[sparks57]

I was under the impression that any noticeable wobble was the beginning of endplay and should be checked out.



I thought that the movement allowed by the oil cushion was almost undetectable.



Man, I wouldn't want something that is going 15,000rpm+ wobbling around under my hood!!!



Sorry if I gave false info, I just remember reading about endplay somewhere else on this forum and relayed the info.

 

[michigandon]

Hi Jay,



The wheels do not rub their hosusings when rotated. There is no end to end play either. BUT... the turbine rotor kinda looks like a warped phonograph record when spun by hand and observed. :{



Thanks for the link to the service literature BTW. That should come in handy for several different things.



Don

 

[jbolt]

Don-



When you removed the old exhaust housing did you make any contact with the exhaust wheel? The exhaust wheel and shaft are a single unit and pretty darn tuff. Do any of the blades look bent? If your worried it might be worth putting a dial indicator on it or have a local diesel injection shop look at it.



Jay

 

[michigandon]

Well, there were a couple scratch marks against the side of the old housing that I saw once I got it all apart. The blades appear to be okay though.

 

[banzaitoyota]

Rebuild kit for the turbo is <75. oo USD



Call the boys at the "Rattlin Dock" on the west coast, they'll hook you up! John

 

[nascar mark]

Don,

Do not reinstall that turbo. You most likely bent the shaft or bent the wheel upon removal. That turbo is capable of turning 50,000 rpm's or more depending on your boost!! and might come apart if pushed hard.



Unfortunately a rebuild kit won't cure a bent shaft or bent wheel. Even if you replaced the shaft or wheel and the turbo's bearings, the shaft and wheels would need to be balanced before installation of the cartridge.



You will have to send your turbo out for repair!