Turbo Good or Bad?

[TeeWX98GST]

Well today I went out to a friends house to look at a 14b to swap into my 2nd gen. He claims it was put in and driven on for about 4-6,000 miles. The turbo was stamped TDO5H. It would include all of the oil and coolant lines if I purchased it. The first thing I did was put my 2 fingers inside of the compressor side and felt the shaft, it moved a little bit side to side/up and down (probably around 1-3mm), and It moved about the same when pushed in and out. the surfaces all looked crack free. But I am wondering about the play. My T25 is the original turbo for my car (98,000 miles) and it still pulls strong, I have no yet checked the shaft play on that. So what do you guys think about this amount of play on the 14b? Go for it and install? or stay away? I am really just looking for a cheap (he doesn't want much for the turbo at all) power boost for awhile while staying in safe boost ranges because my car is already powerful for a FWD (spins tires clear through 3rd when it wants to). So just wondering what you guys would do given this situation. Thanks

 

[1992awdlaser]

I wouldn't mess with it. It is only going to get worse.

 

[tbonitz301]

If there is in and out shaft play its time for a rebuild

 

[TeeWX98GST]

Would not having oil in the turbo have any effect on how much you could move it? It was dry of oil, and when i turned it back and forth in the same spot for like 10-12 times rapidly itd make a lil squeak noise like a dry bearing every so often

 

[tbonitz301]

That squeak may turn into a roar at 150,000 rpm'sI'd save yourself the headache, and look elsewhere.

 

[Rob10_99]

There should be 99% no in and out shaft play, with slight side to side. Not anything over 1mm.