Turbocharger toast??

[bcbender]

Ok, I was getting ready to change my oil and put in my fast coolers when... I noticed oil dripping from the compressor housing of my turbo. I cleaned and ran it and it wasn't leaking from the return line, then I pulled the intake tube and the compressor wheel is very dirty? common? Also I can push the turbine shaft (w finger) side to side and it looks like it moves ~ 1mm not sure, I woudl have to get a dial indicator. The intercooler rubber hose is coated and drenched (outside) with what looks like oil, I havent pulled it off yet. Is it toast? How much should the shaft move, visually w/out a dial ind? I called dodge and I think my warranty will cover. The EB couldn't cause a failure like this can it??



Just looking for some knowledge, this is my first CTD.



Thanks

 

[bcbender]

Oh FYI its a 305/555 stock, no box or any mods yet with 105,000 on the clock

 

[rbattelle]

EB = Exhaust Brake.

Anyway, it's at least a blown oil seal, and there shouldn't be anything like 1mm of movement in the shaft, which suggests the bearing is shot too.

I'd be very cautious running it with all that oil in the intake. You're just asking for a runaway.

-Ryan

 

[Wingate]

Some side to side shaft play is normal in turbochargers... The main thing you want to check for is "in and out" movement, aka thrust. Tpically, the turbocharger and/or engine manufacturer will publish this spec. , but it won't be much at all. Any excessive thrust is bad.

The Exhaust Brake shouldn't have anything to do with the leakage... Does the truck do alot of excessive idling or lots of quick trips where its not getting to full operating temperature?

You can pull the compressor housing off and look for signs of oil leakage from behind the compressor wheel. Also, check for signs of oil accumulating in the intake stream and/or the charge air cooler.

 

[bcbender]

OK, not sure about how loose the compressor shaft bearing is but it feels loose to me, I pulled the intercooler inlet line off and the rubber hose is wet ( real wet) inside w/ oil, enough so that I think that is where the oil dripping from the compressor hsg was comming from. I think as mentioned, I have at min an oil seal leaking, but I cannot measure the radial cl / thrust myself ( I tried but my feeler gauges are too wide, but it seems to be on the high side if not over the spec fo radial clearance) soo off to the dealer. I have an extended warranty that covers the Turbocharger so we'll see, I am going to push for a new unit. Also gonna have them check the injectors while there in there (leak down) beacuse I've been haveing a surging issue as of late, could this be the culprit?

 

[Wingate]

make sure they pull the intercooler for cleaning

 

[bcbender]

Ok, good Idea, I dont know how far the oil has gone, All I do know is I never used any oil (over 5k miles) now in the last couple weeks, I have dropped about 3/8" on the dipstick I hope thats all it is... . anyway no trip to the beach this weekend for Moms day

 

[bcbender]

Well... ... . Glad I didnt go to the beach, Dealer ordered a new turbo today, must have been bad, they'll clean her up and hopefully I'll get her back by Fri. On a side note, the wanna charge me 86$ to pull the exhaust brake, I figured I wouldnt argue right now, but after they bill me I might ask the svc manager why it costs and xtra hour of labor to remove the air line?? sounds like double dipping as I know the warranty is paying to RR the turbo and stock exhaust. I probably shouldn't complain as its not a Jacobs:-laf

 

[AH64ID]

Exhaust brakes can push a little oil past the seal, especially the ones like the PXRB that run more back pressure than oil pressure.

The play is more concerning.

But a new warranty turbo isn't a bad deal.

 

[bcbender]

Exhaust brakes can push a little oil past the seal, especially the ones like the PXRB that run more back pressure than oil pressure.



yeah, that is my worry, I think my brake finished off the turbo... . I think I am gonna pull the plug on some gauges (good excuse) egt, boost, at a min, I cant belive that these trucks dont at a min. measure these values... . I guess it keeps the cost down LOL.