Shaft Play...What do you think...

[WeaselHack]

Freshly built long block (see profile). Turbo in question is a freshly rebuilt genuine Garrett 60:1 oil cooled journal bearing fed from the head via -3an SS line with a -8an SS return. It's worth mentioning I had some rather nasty compressor surge for the first 300 miles as the BOV was not dialed in correctly.

I'd say there is nearly 1/4 inch of in/out play. No side/side play what so ever. No signs of oil in compressor housing/ic pipes. There is signs of slight burning oil at times but I believe this is due to the rings not being fully seated on forged pistons. Other than the shaft play the turbo operates as expected - no unusual noise, normal spool up, etc.

At the time the video was taken there was 700 miles on the build running 15lbs.

So what do you think...Normal? Premature thrust bearing failure due to compressor surge? Thoughts???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8dG2B25i8E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[LiquidX]

Wow, that's a lot of axial play there

Are you running an inline oil filter and using a restrictor, or rather know what oil pressure is goin to the turbo?

 

[donniekak]

It's done. I would expect the compressor to be chewed up from hitting the compressor housing, with that much play. Even if it hasn't, it will soon, as the thrust gets worse. Pull it.

 

[JusMX141]

You're definitely looking at compressor damage with that much in/out play, and I'm sure the backside of the turbine wheel has rubbed the heat shield as well.

If this turbo came with a 270* thrust plate, there's your problem....too much rotating mass to be supported by such a weak thrust system at higher boost levels. If the turbo came with a 360* thrust plate, it's hard to say what caused such rapid wear aside from some type of oiling problem.

To have such a failure with 700 miles at 15psi is ridiculous- this is the reason I don't recommend Garrett-based journal bearing turbos anymore. There are too many variables like thrust plate options and no information at all on oiling to guarantee a long, trouble-free lifespan.

 

[WeaselHack]

Well - I pulled the turbo tonight and snapped some pics of the compressor wheel and scroll. Sure enough it scraped!! Tomorrow it will go in for a rebuild. Enjoy:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJfi_ZBsb3g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[MM's Talon]

were in the same boat bro, my turbo did the exact same thing

 

[WeaselHack]

were in the same boat bro, my turbo did the exact same thing

Yeah. It sucks for sure. My money is on a oil supply issue. I think -3an from the head is too small! I find it difficult to think compressor surge caused this but I'm only guessing at this point.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I will report back with the results of the diagnostic.

 

[JusMX141]

If there's no up/down play but tons of in/out, it's probably not a result of too little oil. The journal bearings need a certain amount of oil to stay afloat- the thrust plate needs far less oil volume and pressure to act as a buffer between the thrust washer and plate.

My advice? Check your oil pressure at the head while the turbo is off the car. If it's at least 30psi at around 3500rpm, you're probably safe....but you'll need a bigger feed than a -3AN; and a -8AN drain is almost retarded considering a -10AN drain is too small for these turbos to drain properly.

If the pressure at the head is not at least 30-35psi at 3k, you may want to consider moving the oil source to the filter housing.