WTF Leaky Turbo??

[REDBLUR]

I found the boost leak on my car and its coming from my turbo(stock 14b). The leak is where that huge snap ring is inbetween the turbine housing and center section. There are no visible cracks on the turbo (I pulled it out of the car).

What would cause this??? I dont have the cash for a turbo upgrade right now (school) and dont want to drop $100 to rebuild a 14b. I was planning on taking it apart, inspect it, port it, clean it up and put it all back together hoping it wont leak. What do you guys think??? Is this a common place for a turbo to leak??? After I installed my MBC and set it at 15 psi, I would hit 15 psi and it would violently drop down to 8-9psi. Using an intake leak tester and some soapy water I found the problem.
Input please,
thanks

 

[custom240sx]

would you not see oil leaking though it too. If it is the snap ring

 

[stanfosd]

Originally posted by custom240sx
would you not see oil leaking though it too. If it is the snap ring

no. The snap ring is on the compressor housing and center section, not the turbine housing and center section. All the snap ring does is hold the compressor housing on to the center section and keep pressure on the o-ring to seal the housing so it doesnt leak air. Air will be the only thing that is possible to leak here unless your oil seals are going out. It will then leak oil from the center section and you may get some oil there too, but that would be pretty unusual.

I would check with forced performance and see if they will sell you just the large o-ring for the compressor housing -> center section. I know it is included with the turbo rebuild kit, other than that I dont kno.

 

[REDBLUR]

Thanks for the replies,
There is no oil leaking from the turbo what so ever, and considering the turbo has no shaft play at all I dont really want to junk it just yet. If its just an O-ring seal, how hard would it be to get it without buying the whole turbo rebuild kit?? I can't just go down to my local dealership and order it from there?

I will post more to come after this weekend when I have the turbo apart.

 

[pickens]

how did you fix the problem?

 

[TalonTSi-AWD91]

Check here.

 

[REDBLUR]

Originally posted by pickens
how did you fix the problem?

Well I pulled the turbo apart, ported everything, cleaned everything up and put everything back together. The large O-ring seal was fine, so was the snap ring, and there were no cracks anywhere. Once I had the turbo back together I pressure tested it and no leaks. Installed back on car and no more leaks or loss of boost.

Been running strong for about a year with no problems or shaft play.