Ok, so I've been burning some oil lately which is mostly noticable when I let off the gas and come to a stop (really embarassing rolling up into a crowed intersection). I was told it's probably my turbo and to look into the turbine housing and see if I can see any oil. I didn't notice any oil although it was pretty black in there which I assume is normal from all the carbon. I did notice the shaft had quite a bit of play though:

YouTube- Turbo shaft play

My build and turbo only have about 15k miles on them. I drive my car hard often but haven't even tracked it yet. Time for a turbo rebuild already? WTF?

Is this thing even rebuildable with that much shaft play? Is it still safe to drive for a few more days?

 

check your charge piping for oil buildup...

i also had a similar issue smoking issue.... leakdown/ compression test would help rule out the motor i had bad rings and i would smoke like a chimney at red lights

is the turbo blades all banged up from hitting the housing?

 

That play looks ruff. I'd check the Intake side too. That would answer your question for sure

 

My performance shop will take a look at it for 25 bucks and see if it's rebuildable. If it is then that cost goes into the total cost which is $325. So, what do you guys recommend for a replacement if this thing ends up being non-rebuildable?



I would like to get away from precision now but want something very similar in terms of size and power output

 

my integra is having the same exact issue, i dont have that much shaft play, but im guessing its time for a rebuild on the turbo... interested in seeing how this plays out

 

Looks like the thrust bearing is not secure to the thrust collar in the compressor side. there could be a chunk of that thrust bearing missing as well as possibly the snap ring. This collar keeps the thrust bearing in place, and because of the bearing possibly been compromised causes this kind of "play" that you see. This also could cause the compressor wheel to make contact with the compressor cover in which that would need to be replaced too. I can't see from your video, but typically that is what happens.

Either way, it looks repairable, but to make sure, a reputable place will replace all of internal components, so about $350 is about average. This isn't including a new compressor wheel, or turbine wheel & shaft. that could bring the cost up to over $600 with other components and labor.

Mileage or "bad manufacturing" has little to do with this. If the turbo received some sort of SHOCK or physical trauma while installing it, or if it had fallen at some point and impacted a surface, it could cause the bearing to sit unevenly, thereby causing this bearing to wear unevenly and prematurely. I've seen these go at 200 miles on units, much less 15,000 miles. Turbocharger by design typically last 200K to 500k on OEM applications, but it is difficult to measure aftermarket applications, because it depends upon so many other variables (use of the turbo, driver behavior, oil used, quality of supplemental parts, etc.

I wouldn't drive the car at all anymore. you could seriously have components in your oil supply somewhere just waiting to invade another part of your build. If this is the only transportation you have, send it for a rebuild and start grabbing some rides to wherever it is you go. Depending how busy the place is, it could take a week if local, longer if it needs to be sent out.

As a matter of caution, when you remove the turbo, drain your oil completely, possibly checking the pan as well for metal material. The last thing you want to do is have a freshly rebuilt turbocharger only to have contaminated oil scar up the turbine shaft and bushings from old oil.

Stop driving. this is not good, but its not the end of the world.

 

Thanks for the great advice

 

Took off the turbo. Gonna bring it in to Bob at MAP tomorrow. Here's a video of the compressor side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebjjUHNFbb0

Not looking good obviously. The wheel was definately scrapping as you can see.

 

I hate it when I'm right.. There's now the likelyhood of needing a replacement compressor wheel as well, and a remachine of the housing for better clearance. not sure of your turbine shaft/wheel. that has to be properly inspected

 

From the play in the shaft I was looking at, it is time for a new turbo. Your cart is dead and more than likely the housings are done as well.

 

You might as well get a new until together if its a reasonably priced turbo.

 

correct. By the time he repairs all of these items, machining, labor, etc, he will have paid as much as most standard JB turbos. So unless you have particular sentimental value for this turbo, its time for a new unit that is reasonably priced.

 

Thanks guys, already working on a replacement