Possible Bad Turbo...Please help!

[Krmnnghia]

Ok a buddy of mine bought a used T-28 on ebay. Guy said it was in excellent condition and only had 1000 miles. Well he brought it to me today and i found it had a slight groove and scratches on this inside of the intake side of the turbo. Basically it look sas if the fins were touching the sides. Here is a pic to sort of explain. Any ideas? Should he install and see what happens or just ask for his money back? Thanks

I borrowed this pic from another Poster here I hope no one minds..

 

[GSX4LIFE]

Not usually a good sine. I have seen turbos do that on initial startup for lack of any lubrication on startup. Some made very slight scratches and never hit the housing again. Since it was purchased from someone else, I would think twice. What do the compressor blades look like? Do they show any sine of wear from contact? what is the play in the turbo like? Side to side or up and down play is what you want to look at. If you can push the compressor wheel to one side, and it clearly hits the housing, forgetaboutit!

 

[Bostedquest]

looks like an oil starvation heat warp of the shaft to me...
just spin slowly by hand, if it scrapes... you (your friend) got hosed.

 

[GSX4LIFE]

Heat warp of the shaft?? Uh, no. Side to side play comes from excessive wear to the journal bearings of the turbo.

 

[Krmnnghia]

The fins look very solid. As far as shaft play it has very little but if I remember correctly so did my T28 when i got it new from FP. I will tell him to try for a refund but I doubt the Asshole will give him his money back. he even lied and said it was clipped and ported. It isn't at all. Thanks for the input!

 

[Turbo Talon DL]

Use an Escrow Service for expensive stuff like that. I used an escrow when I (tried to) buy injectors, the guy kept saying he'd ship tomorrow whenever I talked to him. He said that for about two and a half weeks!! He was trying to pull a fast one on me because he didnt want to use the escrow. I always put that in my adds on DSMTrader.com, no wonder nobody wants to sell me anything, i refuse to be ripped off.