how do I test turbo?

[shrederson]

I took my 96 tsi to a shop who said I jeed to replace my turbo because it isnt spinning at all. They also said not to drive it to avoid getting metal shavings in the motor.

I have read up here about replacing turbos but right mow I just want to get the car running so that I can drive it while I perform all maintenance... should I fimd a stock tutbo and replace? And is there a way to get any possible metal shavings cleaned out witjout removing motor?

 

[Zufelt]

I would check to see what exactly they are talking about.. If it really doesn't move I would pick up a stocker just for the time being. There usually found pretty cheap.

 

[jery1234]

Get a bigger turbo like 16g its a direct bolt on. As for a cleaning intercooler is the first stop for any debri. So cleaning intercooler an all pipes is a must. Check engine compressin if its ok just change oil and you good to go .

 

[EclipseTical]

Get a bigger turbo like 16g its a direct bolt on. As for a cleaning intercooler is the first stop for any debri. So cleaning intercooler an all pipes is a must. Check engine compressin if its ok just change oil and you good to go .

Not entirely true.

While it is true a 16g is 'bolt on' in the sense it will bolt directly to the manifold; putting a 16g on a 2G requires additional items like a J pipe, new oil feed, bending of stock water lines; modification to oil return or a new oil return, various crush washers, etc. And that's without considering the fuel system.




OP- What did you take the car to the shop for? Was it a problem with the turbo or is that just something the shop brought up to you?

Does the car make boost when you drive it?

Have you taken off your intake and inspected the turbo?

Verify if it can spin freely by hand; check for in/out and side to side shaft play, and also visually inspect for damage to the blades.

If the turbo really is bad and you just want to get the car back up i'd suggest just grabbing a replacement T25 while you work on the other maintenance you mentioned.

 

[92tsi4x4]

Does it build any boost? Fid they say anything bout Shaft play?

 

[YUPOK]

That is a very curious thing to tell a customer.

First verify what they are saying is true, just pop off the intake tube from your air filter and take a look in there. You can spin the inpeller (with engine off) by hand to verify it is stuck like they claim. Also look for metal shavings while your in there.

If it is truly stuck there is a good chance you shredded some metal. The good news is, most likely the shavings are stuck in your intercooler. The intercooler would mostly act asa filter in this case and you can check the plumbing up to the throttle body as well.

A stock turbo swap would be easy if that is the problem, I would also be careful to make sure your oil feed line is not clogged.

Before you hand this mechanic your credit card make sure the turbo is where the problem lies and that it's the only problem, they could just be trying to get you to open your wallet. I've had many arguments with shops with stories just like this.

 

[shrederson]

I took it in because it was only building boost in first and second gear and it was intermittent. The turbo also randomly made a loud popping sound as well. Overall had bad throttle response.

they said the turbo was shot and it looked like someone had plugged the oil lines.
I will check everything that you all recommended and let you know what I find.
Thank you very much for all of the help!

Thank you for all of the feedback!

I took it in because it was not building boost and the turbo would randomly make a loud popping noise.
Sometimes it would have a little bit of boost in 1st and 2nd gear.

the shop said it was ruined and it looked like someone had plugged the oil lines.

I will check everything that you all recommended. Also how should I check if there is oil being delivered to the turbo?

 

[Dsmkauai]

If your turbo is really that blown and you've been driving on it you need to clean ever single place oil goes in your motor. Most likely the thrust plate is broken into a ton of pieces and are now floating around your engine. I would pull the turbo off and send it to justin for a rebuild or find a replacement. Also pull the valve cover and oil pan and flush all the oil galleys really well. It might be a good idea to remove the oil filter housing completely to clean that out really well. You never know when that last little piece of your old turbo will come out from its resting place and take out your motor, so I would take the extra time doing extra cleaning to ensure this doesn't happen. The only way metal is getting into the intake system or intercooler is if the compressor wheel is mangled and fins are getting sucked in. More than likely the bearings and thrust components are the problem and in that case are now in your engines oil. If the turbine wheel is breaking apart its just sending pieces out the exhaust. So your main worries are metal going into your intake therefore damaging your valves and anything else in its way. But even worse the metal getting introduces to your engines oil system, that can take out your whole engine In a split second!! If you want to get an idea of what's floating around your engine, pull the oil return for your turbo and see what all falls out. It's pretty easy and only takes a 10mm wrench/socket. You can also pull your intake and check for shaft play by moving the compressor wheel side to side and in and out as much and you can, this will give you an idea how bad things are. Anyway good luck bro and be carful who you pay to fix things bro it could turn into a very expensive job if not carful! I also suggest you sit down are read/learn more about your car bro. If not properly maintained your car could become very expensive to own. And I'm not sure how or why someone would block the oil feed line, well I can think of plenty of ways . Anyway easiest way I can think of is removing the line from the ofh and turbo and blowing air threw it and see what happens.

 

[shrederson]

Thank you very much! First I will pull the intake and oil return line and post an update and maybe pics of what I find. If it is bad then ill continue with cleaning out all of the other places you mentioned.

 

[shifty2006]

Yeah definitely Post a couple pictures of turbo or what not that always helps when trying to get help my car has been a steep learning curve from the past owner not taking care of ANYTHING.

 

[shrederson]

Awesome will do. Thats basically why I bought this car it was 1000$ and ran. I know about most everything else besides turbos so im hoping for this to be a learning experience as I get it runnimg well and hopefully upgrading with more power! Thank you all I did not expect this much help and feedback!!

I popped the intake off today. The turbine spins but has close to a quarter inch of up down play.
There are scratches where it has been scraping the housing but no shavings stuck to my finger when I wiped around the inside. I have pictures but I have to figure out how to load them. Next ill check the oil return line, I ran out of light today.

 

[shrederson]

this thing wont let me upload a picture but the fins are all intact but you can see where they have been scraping the inside of the housing. I didn't find or see any shavings. There is play up and down but not much in and out.

I will lift it up tomorrow and take off the oil return and see what comes out. Does this mean the turbo could still be ok?

 

[Breezio69]

If it is contacting the housing then, no. Typically you see a little bit of up and down play on a dry turbo, but a primed turbo should take up the slack with the little bit of oil film. If you know its contacting the housing I wouldn't even dick with anything any further, pull it, pull the oil lines and flush them, do an oil change and really watch for metallic flakes in the oil.

You should be able to find a usable direct replacement turbo for right at or less than $150

Edit: I forgot to mention you should clean out the entire intercooler piping with brake clean and a rag. Spray it down and shove the rag through.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Get a bigger turbo like 16g its a direct bolt on. .

For your 1g yes..


Pickup a used stock turbo gets my vote too.

 

[shrederson]

Thank you very much where can I find a reliable direct replacement turbo and what do I search for t25? Also id like to go ahead and replace the two oil lines. Im tempted to go with ebay but I read that is a bad idea.

 

[brandonpurnell]

I'm not a professional with turbo but I have heard good things about eBay turbo. Your just putting stock back in. Now going for more power might be a different story.

 

[JusMX141]

I'm not a professional with turbo but I have heard good things about eBay turbo.

Well I AM a professional with turbo, and eBay turbos are complete garbage.

A little more than one oil change on this piece:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLzUn9J7ric]Blown Junk eBay Chinese Evo III 16G Turbo / Talon Eclipse DSM - YouTube[/ame]

 

[russ96gst]

NO ebay turbos!! Do you really want a turbo put together by a 5 year old Chinese kid, that is supposed to spin at 100k rpms. stick to known turbo manufacturers, it will cost you less in the end, and you will make more power.

^^^beat me to it.

 

[brandonpurnell]

Well there you go. I heard they was good. But they are experienced. I would take there advice.