How to properly break in a turbo? [Merged 5-8]

[onegee]

so just wondering, what is the PROPER way to break in a new turbo? i'm buying a used turbo from a 3g guy w/ 1k miles on it and want to know if he properly broke it in or not...and if he didn't what would be some of the problems? ### reply with any insight and information..i'd really appreciate it..thanks

 

[billnolan18]

i agree with all of the above...technically there is no break in period, but i just went easy for about 40 miles just to make sure i wasn't having any leaks, or flow issues

 

[oldman]

I usually leasve the oil feed line open until the very end and pour half qt. of oil into it before I re-attach the line.

 

[fwdeclipse]

I came across this article on this website and thought it was interesting because I did not think a turbo needed to be broke in. I have always thrown it on and just ripped along. Anyone ever do this. I have always primed it but never limped it around for 200 miles. TURBO BREAK-IN

 

[1992awdlaser]

Myself and everybody I know with turbo cars just put the turbo on, prime it before starting, then drive how they normally do. Everybody also does a pull when pulling out of the driveway after innnstalling it.

 

[Rob10_99]

Wrong, for journal bearing turbos, they need a 15 minute break-in at idle.
Ball bearings as far as I know dont need this,
Too great of a force on those new bearings and it wont last long.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I haven't had a problem with my journal bearing 50 trim. And I have a few other friends with journal bearingturbos that haven't had any problems. So I wouldn't say they need a break in.

 

[dsm-onster]

Wrong, for journal bearing turbos, they need a 15 minute break-in at idle.
Ball bearings as far as I know dont need this,
Too great of a force on those new bearings and it wont last long.

What are your "breaking in"?
Doesn't a journal bearing float on a film of oil?
Doesn't a thrust bearing have film of oil holding it back from contact?
What are you breaking in? The oil? Engines RINGS are broken in, not bearings.
Will the oil modify the surface of the bearings in anyway in the first few miles?
If so, doesn't that mean the oil is bad? Because only grit weak oil would do that.
Why tell someone their wrong with out explaining?

 

[Defiant]

Turbochargers don't use journal bearings.

 

[inneed4dsm]

Does a new turbo need a break in period? if so how many miles should it be and how should i go about driving my car... its a rebuilt 14... thanks

 

[1992awdlaser]

No, not at all.

 

[interex]

You will find people in here who will tell you that it will need a little time to "break in" but all you need to do is prime it and then go.

 

[91turbodsm]

No its does not. You will be fine.

Andrew

 

[JayRolla]

Make sure that turbo is primed on the first start. Or say goodbye turbo!

 

[Splitpi]

Make sure that turbo is primed on the first start. Or say goodbye turbo!

Or pull the crank angle sensor plug... crank it for a go 20 seconds, install the plug, reset the ECU and away you go...

But I agree SOME lubrication prior to running it is best, nothing like metal on metal contact .... mmmm... makes me want to listen to some metal.

 

[Turb07]

Turbochargers do not need to be broke in!
They how do need to be prelubed as stated above and should be fine!

just my $.02

Turbo

 

[inneed4dsm]

thanks guys and what exactly does priming mean? like just let it run for a minute to get some fluids ran through there?

 

[daren_p]

No, do not do that. You don't want the motor running before you prime the turbo or you may be kissing the turbo goodby due to oil starvation.

Easiest way (& what I always do), is to pull the ecu fuse (large fuse located in the fuse block in the engine compartment) & then turn the car over for about 10 seconds. Then wait about 10 seconds or so & repeat (you wait between to give the starter some time to cool off). I do this about 4-5 times, then just pop in the ecu fuse & start it up. The only break in a turbo needs is for the first few mins when its sitting in your driveway idleing, as you check over everything for leaks. Then when you go for a short, easy drive & come back & verify everything is still leak free. Then feel free to boost away! (so like everyone said, they don't need any break in period, just verify everything is leak free/functioning correctly)

 

[Gamble97]

I unplug the coil pack, it's on top and easy, crank, let it sit for a few seconds, crank for 10 seconds more or so then plug your coil pack back in.
Basically your just pushing oil through the turbo without it spinning to make sure it's oiled up.

 

[tristanmb81]

start boosting my friend!

 

[inneed4dsm]

swizzle! thanks guys I really appreciate it

 

[Delphian]

When I installed my new 20g turbo I did the aforementioned "priming" and it worked beautifully. I was out that night pushing 22psi and she held up very well!