I've known for a while that the seals in my turbo were going, but now I'm actually getting oil leaking out of the turbo and onto the exhaust housing and my exhaust pipe. This happened after I took off the exhaust housing to swap manifolds (no clearance with it on to get to the flange bolts). I'm guessing taking it apart cleared out dirt that was holding the oil back.

What are my options? Rebuild this turbo, get a new one, or get a better one.
This turbo is a Garrett T3/T4 journal bearing .50 A/R, with a 5-bolt exhaust flange.

I've looked online for rebuild kits and I see them for around $100. If I rebuild it will I have to get it rebalanced? If so how much would that be approximately? Also how delicate is the process of rebuilding it? Am I going to break something?

I can pay a local shop $400 (starting at) to rebuild it for me.
Or I can buy a new turbo the same as the one I have for about $700 + tax & shipping. Or I can buy a different one if it would be beneficial.

The motor is a 2.0L B18C1 with LS crank.

I'd like to know what the experts here would do in my position.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by redrum781 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've known for a while that the seals in my turbo were going, but now I'm actually getting oil leaking out of the turbo and onto the exhaust housing and my exhaust pipe. This happened after I took off the exhaust housing to swap manifolds (no clearance with it on to get to the flange bolts). I'm guessing taking it apart cleared out dirt that was holding the oil back.

What are my options? Rebuild this turbo, get a new one, or get a better one.
This turbo is a Garrett T3/T4 journal bearing .50 A/R, with a 5-bolt exhaust flange.

I've looked online for rebuild kits and I see them for around $100. If I rebuild it will I have to get it rebalanced? If so how much would that be approximately? Also how delicate is the process of rebuilding it? Am I going to break something?

I can pay a local shop $400 (starting at) to rebuild it for me.
Or I can buy a new turbo the same as the one I have for about $700 + tax & shipping. Or I can buy a different one if it would be beneficial.

The motor is a 2.0L B18C1 with LS crank.

I'd like to know what the experts here would do in my position.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Welp, you've pretty much listed all the options available to you. You can rebuild the current one that you have, though perhaps this may be the opportunity for you to go for larger power if you want to, depending upon your setup, and what you're trying to do. There are upgrades availabe for more power, or different powerband for the 5 bolt exhaust housing, but you are limited in size to a certain point. Only YOU can make that determination.

Just remember, if you do decide to go with a different turbocharger, especially a larger one, you will more than likely have to retune the engine for the new amount of CFM volume that the new turbocharger will give. I'd look at the Silver surfer (60-1 hybrid) or a GT3255B (don't worry, not as expensive as the "R" versions) Check w/ Mitsuman & Schisterr 66 for details, as you'll receive a PM in a moment)

If you DO decide to simply rebuild, do the full rebuild and rebalance. $400 isn't the most in the world, but again, if you're trying to get more power, I'd look at this as an opportunity to try something else. Just don't go too big, falling for the "bandwagon", or you may regret it..

Think about what YOU want.... then go from there.