Turbos keep blowing up...

[Slahm]

Alright, I thought I had some idea how to keep my turbo from caving, but I have ruined 3 in 3 days.

I burned up a 16G, and two 14s, a 14B, I think, and now a 14A.

They only make it a matter of blocks, and cave...

I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong, but am thinking oil loop. There is PLENTY of oil coming from the head. Not a ton comes through the turbo when not installed. I pre-oil them, and it very slowly moves down, and out the return hole. Is there supposed to be good flow through the turbo when resting, on a bench?

What should I be checking. The two 14s shared the same exhaust (impeller) manifold, but the 16G of course used a different one.

I replaced the banjo bolt on the head with a straight fitting, and have a small hose going to the metal fitting to the top of the oil loop.

The coolant loop seems fine, there is coolant in the turbos.

I plan on starting it with the third mostly screwed turbo in it today, and taking off the return lines for oil and coolant while running to see actual flow... What should I see from the oil side? I assume I should see tons of coolant....

Thanks!

 

[Slahm]

I never added the solution to this, it was really quite depressing! There was a tiny rock, and I mean tiny, in the oil line to the top of the turbo. The metal tube is 'jetted' with a tiny hole into the turbo, and it was bouncing around in there, doing nothing, until you loaded up the oil pressure, and then it would plug the hole like a... well... plug! never found it until I actually cleaned the tube with air one day. I poured out the oil before that, and checked the flow when disconnected, and it seemed fine. I kept the tiny rock for a souvenir. I think it got in there during an engine fire in a previous race! There was dirt dumped on the flames after the extinguishers ran out!

So, ya!

 

[Gerg]

Flames!? Did your dipstick blow out?

 

[pacn91]

I never added the solution to this, it was really quite depressing! There was a tiny rock, and I mean tiny, in the oil line to the top of the turbo. The metal tube is 'jetted' with a tiny hole into the turbo, and it was bouncing around in there, doing nothing, until you loaded up the oil pressure, and then it would plug the hole like a... well... plug! never found it until I actually cleaned the tube with air one day. I poured out the oil before that, and checked the flow when disconnected, and it seemed fine. I kept the tiny rock for a souvenir. I think it got in there during an engine fire in a previous race! There was dirt dumped on the flames after the extinguishers ran out!

So, ya!

Even if its been a while, i personally am glad to see that you followed up on this thread. I have a lot to learn and its kind disappointing to read through a thread only to find that it has gone cold.

Even with the little experience, even in oval dirt racing, I wouldnt have expected to find a piece of dirt in the oil feed