turbo question

[JasonS]

I want opinions on whether or not this turbo is usable. There is a small nick on one fin and a slight bend in another. I contacted a turbo rebuild shop, emailed a few pics and got the answer that the wheel is out of balance and will take the bearings out and I should always buy a new turbo. However, searching on the net, I found a LOT of advice that the larger turbos (such as HX40) don't spin very fast and minor damage is really not a problem. In fact, the rebuild manual for the turbo says that "very minor damge is acceptable" as long as it "doesn't appear to affect wheel balance." I am not in the least worrried about the slight bend as it cannot affect balance. I don't 'think' that the nick should affect balance since no metal has been removed and both the amount of mass and distance moved relative to it's original location seems slight. I had one turbo where ALL of the fins were missing 1/8" of the tips and it did not self desctruct or take out the bearings (at least not while I used it ). Your thoughts?

 

[welldigger]

Actually a bent fin can very much affect balance. Even tho metal was not removed the bent piece shifts where that mass was from its original position. I believe your turbo is toast.

 

[HanksDeuce]

That there is now a paper weight for your office.

 

[doghead]

NO.

 

[m-35tom]

what you have is not minor damage, it is MAJOR DAMAGE and is now scrap metal.

 

[Carlo]

I want opinions on whether or not this turbo is usable. There is a small nick on one fin and a slight bend in another. I contacted a turbo rebuild shop, emailed a few pics and got the answer that the wheel is out of balance and will take the bearings out and I should always buy a new turbo. However, searching on the net, I found a LOT of advice that the larger turbos (such as HX40) don't spin very fast and minor damage is really not a problem. In fact, the rebuild manual for the turbo says that "very minor damge is acceptable" as long as it "doesn't appear to affect wheel balance." I am not in the least worrried about the slight bend as it cannot affect balance. I don't 'think' that the nick should affect balance since no metal has been removed and both the amount of mass and distance moved relative to it's original location seems slight. I had one turbo where ALL of the fins were missing 1/8" of the tips and it did not self desctruct or take out the bearings (at least not while I used it ). Your thoughts?

How is the play in the bearing? I like your self could live with a little bent fins but bearing failure or oil leak by causing motor run away is the end of the motor.

 

[TehTDK]

I would join the crowd and say that turbo is bust. Most if not all turbos are balanced and made to be balanced as they are. One simple deflected blade etc is enough to offset the balance to potentially rattle the turbo to pieces. Imagine sizing up your turbo to the size of a 747 engine and then ask yourself. Would you fly with a airplane with a compressor looking like that in its engine ?

 

[m-35tom]

the issue is that even 'if' the bearing is good now, it won't be shortly.

 

[welldigger]

the issue is that even 'if' the bearing is good now, it won't be shortly.

You get something even slightly imbalanced spooling up to 100,000 rpm.....tom pretty much nailed it. If your local turbo shop said it wasn't rebuild able they meant it. They know you can buy a turbo anywhere. So its in their best interest to rebuild it.....and they still said no.