bullseye housing stripped

[Bastard1g]

I went to pull my turbo to replace another gasket and I broke off 2 bolts and another bolt hole is stripped out. I try to put in a good turbo bolt in the good hole and I noticed that the bolt would not tighten down by hand after a few turns. It was goin in straight though. So what I did was try to turn it with a wrench and it got harder to turn and, then I pulled it out and the last bolt hole was messed up. I am wondering if I was supposed to put in a different type of bolt in there? I know I had the right turbo bolts because I pulled the right out of my 20g. Either way, its messed up now and my 2 month old turbo is now gonna get helicoils all the way around. I was thinking about ordering a new housing but I would rather just get this one fixed right instead of trying my luck again. I wish I knew what happened though.

 

[1029TSG]

Remember the Anti-seize I recommended to you? Its also best to use new factory bolts since over time old ones stretch and become brittle after many heat cycles. Its cheaper to helicoil them for now and should work just fine.

 

[Bastard1g]

I actually put antiseize in there a week later. That turbo gasket didnt hold up that long so I had to pull the turbo again. I was an idiot for reusing my 4 layer metal gasket though. Oh well. I am gonna get some prices tommorow from some machine shops. Since I have to do that, I might have them just put studs in every holes, so I can just use nuts on the top. It would be easier to install a turbo.

 

[1029TSG]

That would work too, sorry for your troubles.

 

[FearceDSM]

I have been using a Bullseye turbine housing on my last 2 turbos. I always chased the threads with a tap everytime I took my setup apart for any reason. On one ocassion, the tap really had be worked in but cleaned up all the treads.

 

[Bastard1g]

Really? Well, from what it looks like, the threads from the bolt seized to the threads in the housing from lots of heat I guess. The guy I work with is going to fix them for me by drilling them out. He thinks we dont have to helicoil it, just clean them up. He also said not to use the silver anti seize that I have and to use the copper stuff he has. I will let you know how this comes out but, I learned that you must use a good amount of anti seize when making that much heat. Dave, I might be going to the track this thursday, only 1/8 mile though. I am getting an intake pipe this week also.

 

[1029TSG]

Yeah, bolts seize up in any turbine housing so its best to use anti-seize. Re-using old bolts is the biggest issue, we always recommend new ones. 1/8th mile will be a little tough on your FWD, but keep us posted. That intake pipe will make a significant difference, you'll see.

 

[Bastard1g]

yea, I am pretty excited about the pipe. I am hoping that when I fix the exhaust leak and get a new intake pipe, my spool up time will increase. It gets full boost around 4000 rpm's in 3rd gear with the current setup and weaknesses. My car doesnt do so bad hooking up, my dsmlink estimated 396 hp, how accurate is that?

 

[1029TSG]

Not sure how accurate it is. But I'd like to know what it increases by just adding the 3" intake pipe.

 

[just_passed_you]

Stripped out the housing... been there done that.
I tried to put the bolts in while it was still hot. Smart right?
If you're using the 3 bolts, 1 stud, I'd take it out. It'll be easier to drop
the turbo that way. (won't have to remove the exhaust manifold)

They say helicoils are stronger, but I don't know if that's factual.


I chased my bolts but really it's a waste of time, new bolts are the way to go.

(I'm running on 3 bolts with a metal gasket, it's not leaking. Too lazy to drill the sucker out... again... )

 

[TTA89]

Before I take my turbo off I let the car idle & warm up some. This allows the metal material to expand, but you still must to great care when taking the bolts out still. Also use nickel antiseize, and chase the turbine housing threads with the proper tap as stated above. Never had a problem with this method at all.

 

[FearceDSM]

Before I take my turbo off I let the car idle & warm up some. This allows the metal material to expand, but you still must to great care when taking the bolts out still. Also use nickel antiseize, and chase the turbine housing threads with the proper tap as stated above. Never had a problem with this method at all.

One more thing, I use ARP bolts for my turbo now. Well worth because the one time i needed to chase the threads the bolt that was stuck happened to be an ARP bolt. The force used to take it out was enough to snap any stock bolt. The ARP bolt took everything i gave. I love that FFWD site. Now all my mani studs, O2 housing, and turbo bolts are ARP. No fears about taking my setup out now. Also, I use anti-seize that is made to endure 1600 degrees.

 

[TTA89]

Nickle Anti-seize withstands 2200*.

 

[Bastard1g]

What about issues of the bolts backing out? Will my new bolts have less of a chance to back off than the old ones?

 

[oldman]

Since I have to do that, I might have them just put studs in every holes, so I can just use nuts on the top. It would be easier to install a turbo.

That will actually make your life harder in the future. You will no longer be able to remove the exhaust manifold without dropping the entire turbo nor will you able to drop just the turbine housing without either dropping the entire turbo or the exhaust manifold.

 

[just_passed_you]

That will actually make your life harder in the future. You will no longer be able to remove the exhaust manifold without dropping the entire turbo nor will you able to drop just the turbine housing without either dropping the entire turbo or the exhaust manifold.

AMEN!!!
And even if it's only 1 stud in there, it will make your life miserable.

 

[psychlow]

AMEN!!!
And even if it's only 1 stud in there, it will make your life miserable.

No kidding, I couldn't imagine dealing with four studs.

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

My Bullseye housing on my AGP turbo stripped out today.

I was lining up my O2 dump, test fitting, backing bolts out, putting them back in, etc.

On initial backout of the housing, one bolt stripped. No big deal, I thought, as there's more.

As I'm test-fitting the housing, I have the top closest bolt (from the front of the car) in HAND TIGHT. As I'm backing it out BY HAND, it's getting tighter. Tried what I could to get it out, no luck, and I had to back the bolt out and ended up snapping the bolt off.

I've been pulling turbo's for years, so experience is not an issue. I called AGP, and they won't do anything about it. I guess the warranty only covers the center section. Not surprising, really, I was just hoping they would help me out.

Great, this sure is how I want to spend my day. Drilling out broken bolts to re-thread holes.

And the car has to be back at the dealership Thursday morning because something is wrong after they replaced the transfer case again (2nd time in 1000 miles.)




Edited slightly to keep things civil, as I posted this when it all first happened, and I was not a happy camper.

 

[psychlow]

That's very odd. I've test fit, torqued, and removed my T04B probably 40 times now without any problems.

Were you reusing old turbo bolts?

 

[Bastard1g]

Well guys, i finally broke down and bought 4 new bolts and helicoiled all four bolt holes. From what i understand, its harder to get helicoils to size because they are stainless steel. If that is true, then why not have ss bolt holes, kinda like keenserts allready in them?

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

Attatched are some pics of everything, just as it was pulled off of the car.

I broke another one, by the way. All four manifold-to-turbo bolts were in, hand tight, to again hold it in place. I started backing out the one in the upper left corner, and yet again it stuck, I had to force it out, and the bolt snapped at the head. The other three came out, though.

The bolts I used were older. They came out of my '96 before I sold it. No bad threads or anything. I have reused old bolts every time with no problems. Not one local has ever bought new bolts, and none have ever broken to my knowledge. I have had my T25 off numerous times before I sold my '96, swapped a 14b on, and had that off for porting and everything, helped friends with their 16g's, 50 trims, everything, and have never had an old bolt snap. Not saying that my way is the golden way of doing things, just my experiences.

The one bolt that snapped I left in, untouched, because quite frankly I didn't want to spend all damn day drilling it out. The other one I re-threaded, and I was happy to at least have three on, but then I snapped the turbo/manifold bolt, and yet again I was pissed off.

I have been around here long enough, and have dealt with enough vendors that I would hope people see that I am not trying to #### anyone over here, but this is ridiculous. My main concern is whether or not AGP or Bullseye would be so kind as to send another housing? I will not run the car with all of these missing bolts.

If they won't, anyone have any recommendations for another exhaust housing?

Later,

 

[FearceDSM]

That manifold bolt is the exact one that was giving me problems. It's a good thing that I used the ARP hardware. I was using a pipe extension to turn it out and it never broke. Granted the bolt was not reusable. But worth every penny.

 

[Burnett03]

Attatched are some pics of everything, just as it was pulled off of the car.

I broke another one, by the way. All four manifold-to-turbo bolts were in, hand tight, to again hold it in place. I started backing out the one in the upper left corner, and yet again it stuck, I had to force it out, and the bolt snapped at the head. The other three came out, though.

The bolts I used were older. They came out of my '96 before I sold it. No bad threads or anything. I have reused old bolts every time with no problems. Not one local has ever bought new bolts, and none have ever broken to my knowledge. I have had my T25 off numerous times before I sold my '96, swapped a 14b on, and had that off for porting and everything, helped friends with their 16g's, 50 trims, everything, and have never had an old bolt snap. Not saying that my way is the golden way of doing things, just my experiences.

The one bolt that snapped I left in, untouched, because quite frankly I didn't want to spend all damn day drilling it out. The other one I re-threaded, and I was happy to at least have three on, but then I snapped the turbo/manifold bolt, and yet again I was pissed off.

I have been around here long enough, and have dealt with enough vendors that I would hope people see that I am not trying to #### anyone over here, but this is ridiculous. My main concern is whether or not AGP or Bullseye would be so kind as to send another housing? I will not run the car with all of these missing bolts.

If they won't, anyone have any recommendations for another exhaust housing?

Later,

Turbo bolts break, don't blame agp or bullseye for your stupidity on not using anti-seize and penentrating oil. Its your fault for re-using the bolts, your fault for not using anti-seize, your fault for breaking them. You need to take it easy on them. Break them loose turn them out when it gets tight, turn it back in, back out again.. over and over.. I've broke two turbo bolts and stripped two holes, but i dont blame the people that made the housing. That housing sees 1600 degree heat, then cools down, hot again, over and over, and over.

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

Yea, and I've never broken a bolt off in a housing before this. Once the bolts snugged up, they would not go in or out with ease. You figure out how I was "stupid" and somehow managed to strip two bolts at hand-tight torque, because I honestly have no idea. There were two other people present as well.

Get off your high horse there, cowboy. I didn't call AGP or Bullseye whining and saying I want 40 free housings and all new hardware, I'm simply asking for any help anyone can give me.

 

[Black95TSIawd]

find two nuts that fit and use an open end wrench to take it out.