What should I be looking for when buying used turbo's?

 

Ask the seller i a turbo timer was used, check all the hardware and stuff for any defects, make sure the turbine spins freely...**** like that..i'm sure some other people will hve better advice

 

main thing:
is there any shaft play! radial or axial! a little radial play is OK, axial is a NO NO

 

I bought my turbo used and the play is perfect, but unfortantly its leaking a little oil to the point where when I had my intercooler off (3 months after turbo was on and running) there was oil coating the tubing and a little coatin on that side of the intercooler.... but none on the intake side...

Anyone know if seals can be replaced easily by oneself? Or is a turbo rebuild in order sometime down the line?