Ok, heres the deal.
I bought a used t3 t4 turbo on ebay.

When i got it, the shaft would not spin, and could not check for play.


Opened the turbo, and has oil in the exhaust side. alot.
The pan had cooked oil/caked up.

So i cleaned everything with purple blaster and thoroughly washed with water.

Mocked up everything, just snug the compressor wheel nut on.
Housings just on, not even on tight, but flush.

Now there is up and down play, a fair amount.

Seems like from the center journal bearings, is this possible?
Or is the thrust bearing responsible for this play?

could the play be coming also because the turbo has no oil inside it?

 

no.. turbo is shot. open a dispute if the turbo was described improperly. if it's AS IS, send it off for a rebuild

 

Sounds like you need a rebuild...You do get a tiny bit of shaft play with the turbo being cold but it should be very little..

 

bump

could it be the journal bearings worn?

 

You need a rebuild, that play is caused by damaged journal bearings and thrust bearing.