Turbo question

[Rawland]

What are the tell-tell signs that the turbo is starting to croak?

 

[JJPage]

Loss of boost, oil in tailpipe.



Check your shaft for play, pull the intake tube off so you can see your compressor wheel. Grab ahold of the shaft, you should have a small amount of radial(up/down) play, not so much as it's hitting the housing but some is ok. There should be absolutely no axial(back/forth) play.



If the journal bearings are tight, and no physical damage is present, you should be ok as far as the turbo, that does not mean there could not be other problems. A boost leak will really sideline you, so check all your hoses for tightness and rips, holes, check your intercooler for leaks, make sure your whole intake is tight, all the way to your intake horn.



Hope that helps a bit, for things you can check yourself.