Smashback

So I'm still trying to figure out why my car puffs a little smoke every now and then. I am checking the shaft, and it does NOT move in and out, but moves up and down just a tiny, tiny bit. I don't think this is the problem, do you?

I was thinking of changing from a -4 to -3 feed line, which I will probably do. I was also thinking it might be partly due to the oil weight? I use 5W-30. Since the car only puffs a couple of times after it has been sitting, IE the car is cold so maybe the oil being too thin is contributing to the problem? What weight do you all run with your turbo?

VaporTrail

I prefer 15w30, but no lower than 10w30 with a turbo

Smashback

Gracias Mr. Dino Tuna. Anyone else have input before this thread slips into the void?

RAWB

Unless it's EXCESSIVE shaft play, there is really no way to determine it's out of tolerance without using the proper tools.(ie. taking it to a turbo rebuild shop). Your talking thousanths of an inch here or there. I had mine rebuilt and by just using his eyes and jiggling the shaft back and forth the Turbo guy couldn't even tell until he put it on his machine to measure it.

GruvyTune

I worry about the same thing. I found I was running virtually no oil pressure (just a trickle) for over a month until I put a gauge right before the turbo (my line had a small metal filing in it). I started to smell burning oil every once in a while but no puffs of blue smoke out the exhaust like I had the first time my turbo blew. I checked my free play and I have a tiny bit of up and down as well.

Is there any harm in letting things go until the seals go completely? Will you prevent a complete shaft/centerhousing rebuild if you do it earlier?


torin

RAWB

The best way to "quick check" excessive shaft play is to see if you have any scorring on the housing. Since the shaft spins so fast, any excessive play will cause wobbling and should show on the housing. Again, mine was so close, I had no scorring, just bad boost response.