Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Does this turbo look normal?

[CTD12V]

I seem to be unable to reach the max boost on my truck (supposed to be 25 psi for my stock 215 hp truck--I can barely reach 21psi), so I was looking at the compressor vanes while I had the air intake tube off to pressure check the system for leaks. The vanes look a little worn to me, but I want some more experienced input. There is also a spot on the main part of the hub that looks odd to me. It is a little hard to see in the pic, but it looks like it is chipped away from about the 9:00 to the 1:00 position, directly behind the nut back to about the base of the vanes. Is this where material was removed to balance it, or has something chipped that?



I can't feel any play in the shaft, and it rotates smoothly by hand. The truck has a little over 146,000 miles on it. When I bought it, it had one of the Amsoil oiled foam air filters in it, but there was an old K&N sticker on the air box--don't know how long it was in there or how it mas maintained. I am currently running one of the new Amsoil dry Nanofiber filters.



Thanks for any replies,



CTD12V

 

[Signal73]

looks good to me with the miles that are on it. Pieces that look like they were grinded off are just that, for balancing like you suspected.

 

[DMoon]

Looks like the hub is craked to me at the 10 o'clock position

 

[DCreed]

check the wastegate get a adj. boost elbow and add fuel.

 

[tp0d]

Looks kinda like my stock turbo at 176k... Still going strong

I blocked out the wastegate on mine, made a helluva difference. . I just regulate boost to 32-35psi max with my foot.

DCreed: niiiice sig, might have to get that made into vinyl for my rear window! lol

-j

 

[Woodenhead]

21 psi sounds about right. My stock motor would hit 21-22 psi.

 

[CTD12V]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Dmoon, as far as I can tell, the hub is not cracked, although the shadow in the picture kind of looks like it.



I'm glad to know the "missing" material is just a result of the balancing process. Does anyone have a picture of how a new (or I suppose it would be a newly rebuilt one, now) turbo is supposed to look. It just seems to me that with small vanes like that, even a small amount of wear would affect its efficiency.

 

[Woodenhead]

Unless your air filter is non existent of full of holes I can't see how the vanes would get worn. Is your intake loaded with debris that made it through the filter. If your worried it might be scrubbing on the housing check side play and turn it a bit to see if it'll scrub but I highly doubt it will. Also, if the vanes are worn down I'd think that'd have a significant effect on balance and it'll soon scatter on you but also highly unlikely.

 

[CTD12V]

My intake is clean. The only reason I wonder is because at some point there was a K&N filter on this truck, and I have heard that they let a lot of dust through, especially if not maintained adequately. I can't get any side to side play to make the vanes scrub the housing. I would assume that even the best of air filters would let a small amount dust through, with the cumulative effect being gradually wearing the vanes after years and thousands of miles. Maybe I am being too pessimistic?

 

[highmilage94]

My truck has 270,000 miles on the origional turbo, i can take a picture of mine and show you what a stock turbo with greater milage looks like.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

looks fine to me

 

[CTD12V]

Hey thanks for the reassurance, guys. Highmileage, I would like to see a pic of your turbo if it's convenient. If it isn't, don't worry about it. Thanks.



Anybody have any suggestions on how to make sure my wastegate isn't sticking partly open?



Thanks,



CTD12V

 

[Don Tanklage]

remove the turbo and look at it

 

[bmoeller]

Anybody have any suggestions on how to make sure my wastegate isn't sticking partly open?



Thanks,



CTD12V

If you have an air compressor, buy a regulator that has a gauge built in and a male and female fitting to hook it to your air hose, and the little hose that is connected to the compressor housing. Apply air to the hose, and gradually increase the pressure to see where the 'gate opens at. Then dial the pressure back, and see if it sticks.

 

[Hammer]

The only reason I wonder is because at some point there was a K&N filter on this truck, and I have heard that they let a lot of dust through, especially if not maintained adequately.

First lets correct the myth here...

K&N does not allow dirt to pass,nor does any of the other oiled media filters. What allows the dirt to pass is improper fit of Ma Mopars air-box which will even allow a paper filter to pass dirt. Also over oiling any oiled media filter will pass the excess oil into the turbo during a boost application. I have used K&N filters for many years in other applications and have yet had any failure or abnormal wear patterns due to them "allowing dust through".



Now that that is done I will continue...

To me it looks like it has some end play as evident by the wear pattern inside the charger at the turbo impeller. It also looks like something has passed and has nicked up the blades somewhat. You can also see how the air is not cleanly hitting all the blades evenly. While others would say its normal I say have it checked by someone just to ensure or limit failure. Just my rambles and . 02 worth... ... . Andy

 

[CTD12V]

OK, I wasn't able to check this for a couple days. Thanks for the suggestions, and for the additional insights. I think I will probably have a shop look at it, if only to satisfy my curiosity. Of course, I can almost hear them trying to sell me a new turbo ;-) . . .



I guess I need to buy a regulator I can fit on the end of the air hose--kinda hard being in two places at once to adjust the air and watch the wastegate lever.

 

[Extreme1]

The dirt on the vanes is from an over oiled filter and the dust stuck to it is from the K&N. If the turbo checks out clean them off and see how much gets on there with your dry filter.

 

[highmilage94]

QUOTE=CTD12V;1832019]Hey thanks for the reassurance, guys. Highmileage, I would like to see a pic of your turbo if it's convenient. If it isn't, don't worry about it. Thanks.



Anybody have any suggestions on how to make sure my wastegate isn't sticking partly open?



Thanks,



CTD12V[/QUOTE]



View attachment 66398



View attachment 66399



this is my compressor wheel, it has 272,000 on it and i run it regularly up to 42 p. s. i. and i don't have a boost elbow.

 

[CTD12V]

Hey, thanks for the pics, Highmileage!

 

[GAmes]

Almost 568k miles, 580k with corrected odometer error.