Turbo ?? How to clean up after a K&N?

[jerryrigg]

When I bought my beast it already had a K&N in it. I replaced it right away with the Fleetguard. I have now moved to the BHAF. What a GREAT filter!!! Whom ever figured this one out deserves all of our praise!!



When fitting the BHAF, I removed the intake duct from the turbo housing what I saw was proof enough to me that oiled filters do not belong on the Cummins. (No I'm not trying to start another drawn out debate) The inside of the turbo and it's blades are covered with oil and grime. I CAREFULLY wiped down the outer ring (with Lint-Free rags) and cleaned the oil residue from the air duct. The blades however remain dirty.



It is my understanding you should never touch the blades! Just a little too much pressure and you can put the blades out of balance. So how do you clean the blades. I saw in another thread someone recommended trying Brake-Kleen or a Carb-Cleaner. It seems to me that washing the grime into the turbo is just asking for problems. Has any one done this or recommend another solution?



Thanks

-Matt

 

[hammersley]

Wrong Problem!!!!

I too had what I thought was a K&N Turbo Oil Problem but what I found was the airbox was not sealing. I took some foam tape - the good stuff for auto sealing - and put it around the airbox. It was real hard to seal down with the clamps, but when I changed my oil the next time, the turbo blades were SPOTLESS! That was the problem!

 

[WeirCummin]

Jerry, I'm the one that posted about cleaning the compressor side of the turbo with carb cleaner. I also said in the post to remove the compressor housing to do it. I think, IMNSHO that Ya'll worry to much about hurting the balance of the turbo blades by cleaning them. Are you saying that it's still in balance with all that oil and grime on it. What about us who BARK turbos regularly, think about. That's putting alot more stress on the blades and balance than wiping it off with a clean rag.

Dean

 

[illflem]

Food for thought. If your turbo is dirty enough to warrant cleaning what's your intercooler look like? I personally wouldn't mess with it unless it is really grungey.

 

[DHawthorne]

Over 50,000 miles with a K&N in this truck. I have never seen any oil in the intake hose from the air box to the turbo. I really had a good look at the system after the last go round here. Likewise I've never had any oil on the turbo fins. Sounds like a soaker to me.



My 2cents

 

[RonaldLarson]

Same problem here

Threw away the K&N, did not clean the turbine blades. Twenty months later (two weeks ago), I pulled the Amsoil filter that replaced the K&N. The wheel was completely clean, and the filter had a substantial buildup of dirt on the foam. There is no doubt in my experience, that a two stage oiled filter gives the best protection for these engines.

I have also reached the conclusion that a periodic cleaning of the intercooler mightm be a good preventive maintenance item.

Ron

 

[moparguy]

Matt, you're welcome.



Ronnie

 

[merryman]

Over 120K miles on the '93 with a K&N, only 40K on the '01 with the K&N, after the controversy on here, I have checked often-----nary a grungy or oily turbo fin.



Vaughn

 

[jerryrigg]

Hammersley makes a good point about the airbox... but now with the BHAF that really is no longer an issue. Of course the previous owner may also have just overloaded the K&N with oil during a cleaning who knows... .



WeirCummin... I must have missed or forgot the part about removing the compressor. . makes perfect sense now



ol ron... how do you propose to clean the intercooler?



I know some of this may seem trivial or even stupid, but I'm going through just about every part on the truck to ensure its condition and operation, after all I really do not know how well the previous owner maintained-treated the truck. So far the only problem found was some surface rust under the chrome wheelwell pieces.



Appreciate all the inputs

-Matt

 

[Mundgyver]

(now ol ron... how do you propose to clean the intercooler?)



I have a friend that runs Grand Nationals with Turbos. Once a year he will pull the inter-cooler out and flush it with alcohol. He uses about a gallon. He seals both ends and just sloshes it inside. Starts with 1/2 gallon and then rinses with the other half. Pours it all out and then puts the out put end of a cleaned shop vacuum with a new filter on it and blows out the rest. While he lets the shop vac do it's number, he grabs his wifes hair dryer and applies heat to the outside to help evaporate any residual alcohol on the inside. He owns 4 of these type cars and has been doing this procedure for close to 20 years.

 

[Archive]

Just Imagine...

... how oily the back of the compressor wheel is where the crankcase oil is misting past the turbine shaft housing seal. This oil mist is deposited on the blades during snap throttle reversion of the intake charge. ( BARK!!!!!! Bark!!!bark!!... Thats why a lot of "paper" users also get to experience the unbridled joy a grimy looking compressor wheel. ) Have Fun.

 

[PRout]

Only had oil & grime on the blades w/ the K&N RE-0880 cleaner. Really burned my a. . since this was the way it came oiled from the factory.



Ended up cleaning the blades (carefully) w/ ALOT of q-tips & brake cleaner. Didnt seem to hurt anything, but still wonder how much gunk got inside the rest of the intake system.



Since using the BHAF the blades are still spotless. Its the only cleaner Ill use, except for stock (too restrictive).