Turbo blues, HELP

[ScottB]

Today I was doing an oil change and I as always grabbed the turbo shaft and it was moving up and down. That is not good is it? I spun the turbo over and noticed that it had a spot that felt tight. I fear I need to get it rebuilt or get another. Where do I go from here, who can rebuild these. I need to get ya'lls advice on which is the best way to go. Thanks in advance. Scott

 

[Old Smoky]

The turbo is meant to have some "play," but there are certain tolerances. It is easy to check, if you can get your hands on the specs, and a gauge. If you do find that the turbo is out of tolerance, you can get a cartridge, or go for a better turbo. A cartridge is the compressor and exhaust wheel connected by the shaft, with bearings, etc. You reuse the compressor and exhaust housings. It's not too hard to change, just takes a little time. But does require that you remove the turbo from the engine. I changed one on a '93. It was about $400 if I remember right. Good luck!



Mike

 

[paccool]

Let me know if you need the specs and I'll send them to you(or post here)



Here, I went ahead and looked them up-



For turbos with a serial # BEFORE 840638



shaft end play . 004" - . 006"



For turbos including and AFTER 840638



shaft end play . 001" - . 003"



Shaft radial play for both series is . 012" - . 018" (This is the side to side play)



This info is out of a 91 Cummins troubleshooting and repair manual. Turbos are the same except for the housings. Somewhere I have the box for a cartridge. Tried to find it for the part number but is hiding from me

 

[NOMOFO]

You can download repair manuals from Holset's website. I believe it is holset.co. uk Good luck!

 

[NOMOFO]

Whole new stock first gen turbos at Gomer's ( check TDR links ) for $457-$515 depending on model/year. Call Piers too if you're thinking new.

 

[ScottB]

Thanks for the replies. I did a search for this type of problem and seems I may have over reacted a little. I dont think it is to the point of blowing just yet athough I do think it may be gettin wore. The truck does have just over 300K on it now and stuff can wear out. I would sure like to hear about using a better turbo when I do get ready. I will check the radial play with a feeler gauge now that I know what to check, thanks paccool.

 

[T. Baker]

On turbos I have worked on you check radial play from the oil return hole with a dial indicator. If you check it out on the end by the compressor wheel you are checking how much you can rock the shaft. In otherwords you are tilting the turbo shaft back and forth and you will get much higher reading fooling you into thinking the turbo is bad. If it is not touching the housing you are probably fine. Go and feel a new turbo. You can grab the compressor wheel and move it alot.

 

[paccool]

Cummins Shop Manual shows radial play is measured at the END of the shaft. You don't want much play in the assembly, it turns too fast.



stan

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by ScottB

I would sure like to hear about using a better turbo when I do get ready.

When mine ever gets around to dying, I'll be going for a Piers HX35 with a 16cm2 housing. I've only got 198,000 miles on mine though, so it sounds like I have another 100,000 to go!.



Mike

 

[MikeO]

When I put rebuilt turbos in my track car, they too have a significant amount of play. The sleeve bearing design is inherently loose until there is oil pressure there. Once the oil pressure builds, much of the play is taken up.



Mike O.