New turbo question - may not be good

[jaynes]

The last time I checked my turbo, about a month ago, i checked front to back play, by pushing and pulling. Seemed fine, just teenie tiny bare hint of movement. But, when I moved it side to side, there seemed to be more movement than should be allowed, and if I tried to turn it while doing that, the blades rubbed the housing alittle. Now I started it and shut it off and watched it spin. It spun freely with no noise. It only rubbed the housing when I pulled it to the side and tried to turn compressor wheel. Is this bad? Should I be worried?



jaynes

 

[Forrest Nearing]

if you can make the blades contact the housing, it's definately out of spec... but... if it doesn't have excessive end play, it'll probably last you at least long enough to get a new turbo on there... just don't let off the throttle quickly under boost.



turbos are actually very forgiving little machines... I've seen some SLOPPY turbos hold up, but they also weren't being abused.



so start shopping for a turbo and don't worry about your H1C TOO much at this point



Forrest

 

[dpuckett]

If it makes you feel any better, my H1C made 28 psi boost in the high country with about 1/8" endplay, and who knows how much side to side slop. This was the ONLY truck I didnt check out the turbo on when I looked at it. IT didnt make any noise or rub the housing when it was running; just had the endplay when you moved it. Turned out the squealing noise I thought was coming from the turbo was the head gasket Drove it 10K like that:--) . Doesnt seem the owrse for wear now that I have the HG and turbo upgraded.



Daniel

 

[Timebomb]

Ive seen alott of turbos with what seemed to be excesive play but after talking to a freind who is an engineer at Mack he said sometimes the wheels will tuch the housing. He also stated the the pin wheel is spinning so fast and the turbo dosnt have possitive seals to the oil that is around the shaft centers itself in the housings when spun.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

very true... just because you can make the wheel contact the housing by hand doesn't mean that it'll contact when running... BUT, it does generally mean that it's well out of spec.



Forrest

 

[JLEONARD]

Not proud of this but I had easily 1/8 inch endplay, perhaps more on my old H1C... It was definately touching the intake housing... . so much that the turbine is somewhat smaller now. :--)



When I took it apart with the intentions of rebuilding, the thrust washer was completely worn down.

I know I'm lucky that I see no engine damage... don't know how with all the aluminum dust being injested!

But like Daniel said... it still made 28 psi boost!!

Jay

 

[Timebomb]

I'd say its on its way out. Id start looking for something else. The last thing you need is the pieces of the wheels shattering and going into your engine.

 

[jaynes]

I mean, It's not excessively noisy or anything, it makes the normal whine under heavey throttle. I was planning on a turbo upgrade sooner or later anyway. I was going to save up after I payed (spelling??) off the engagement ring I bought my girlfriend . That has to come first. After that, I was going for a 16cm2/HX35 setup. So It's lasted me this long, it can probably wait another year, but I'm going to start checking it periodically and listening to it more. Thanks!



jaynes

 

[Forrest Nearing]

like I said, don't worry... just don't abuse it, and you'll be fine.



Forrest

 

[sparks57]

Lets not forget that when somethigng is spinning that fast, it doesn't want to rotate of it's axis... ie: the cintrepital force and rotation will cause the pinwheel to not want to move.



From what I hear, however, a large variance in airflow (like barking it maybe) could cause enough of a throw out on the balance that it could make the pinwheel hit the sides if there is much play.



But under normal operation, it isn't that big of a deal.

 

[JLEONARD]

CB,

That's true if you're talking about radial clearance/play, but mine was totally shot in the axial direction. When the turbine is accelerated and decelerated, it wants to move axially against the thrust bearing. The faster the acceleration/spoolup the more the movement. And vise/versa.

Mine never touched radially or against the od of the turbine, but against the edge of the turbine and the housing.

It doesn't look pretty, I assure you.



Jay