I just bought a second hand turbo. I noticed that it is a little wet in one spot on the exhaust side. I blew air (with my mouth) in the oil feed line and plugged the oil return line with my finger. When I did this I could hear air slowly leaking from the exhaust side of the turbo. Would this be a "for sure" sign that the seals are blown?

Thanks

 

anyone?

 

You cannot tell if the seals are bad by blowing through it lol

If there is oil in the hot side around the wheel then chances are it needs a rebuild. Is it a ball bearing turbo or journal bearing and how much shaft play does it have?

 

its a journal bearing turbo (precision 6262). No shaft play. There is no oil on the turbine wheel or around it. Just a bit of black that would normaly be there.

I just figured, if air can leak around there, so can oil?? But I hope your right. Thanks for the help man.

 

There arent actual seals in a journal bearing turbo. It works similiar to a ring on a piston, the only time Ive had a problem with oil leaking into the hot side is when the bearings were wore causing excessive shaft play.