Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Turbo failure

[PKirby]

I drove my truck for the first time today with the new Cummins engine. I stayed close to home in case a problem happened. I drove it easy for about 10 minutes and then got on it a little harder. I then heard what I first thought was a fire engine but it was my turbo. It only made the sound at about 1/2 throttle. The vanes on the intake side made contact with the housing. The edges of the vanes are chewed up a little. My engine only has about 30 minutes run time. I rebuilt the turbo as a precaution because an experienced diesel mechanic told me it was borderline on side play. Everthing checked OK after the rebuild but when it heated up there must not have been enough clearance.



I guess I will look for another turbo and flush the intercooler as a precaution.

 

[bmoeller]

Was it getting oil? Did you pre lube the turbo before hooking up the oil supply line? Or, before starting it the first time, if it sat for a while??

 

[PKirby]

Was it getting oil? Did you pre lube the turbo before hooking up the oil supply line? Or, before starting it the first time, if it sat for a while??

Yes it was getting plenty of oil. I pre-lubed it by pouring oil through it and the engine had oil pressure before it started. The bearings still spin freely. The problem is clearance between the rotor and housing. The housing had aluminum oxidation on the inside so I had it bead blasted. I don't know if the bead blasting affected the clearance. The shaft also has a slight wobble but nothing made contact while spinning it by hand. It does not have any end play.

 

[BigPapa]

The shaft also has a slight wobble but nothing made contact while spinning it by hand. It does not have any end play.

I also noticed a little play in mine with no thrust play so I went by the turbo shop yesterday expecting to be told I needed a turbo. He explained to me that it is a "full floating" bearing and when there is no oil pressure to the bearings you will be able to push the shaft side-to-side. The shaft rides on a film of oil between it and the bearing and then the bearing rides on a film of oil between it and the housing. He said as long as you can't push it far enough for the wheel to contact the housing and as long as your not getting any oil leaking your OK.



You said you rebuilt it, did you have the thrust within specs?



Scott

 

[PKirby]

I also noticed a little play in mine with no thrust play so I went by the turbo shop yesterday expecting to be told I needed a turbo. He explained to me that it is a "full floating" bearing and when there is no oil pressure to the bearings you will be able to push the shaft side-to-side. The shaft rides on a film of oil between it and the bearing and then the bearing rides on a film of oil between it and the housing. He said as long as you can't push it far enough for the wheel to contact the housing and as long as your not getting any oil leaking your OK.



You said you rebuilt it, did you have the thrust within specs?



Scott

I just got back from vacation. The turbo had no thrust play before I put a kit in it, and none after. The rotor would make contact with the housing by hand before the kit install. There were no marks on the rotor or housing from contact while the engine was running though. My engine and turbo came from a burned van, maybe the fire slightly warped the aluminum housing. I bought another WH1C turbo on Ebay so I will give it another try.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Next time have a good turbo shop build it and balance the assembly afterwards.