worth rebuilding small 16g?

[Nuzzi]

So I just figured out that I have a small 16g turbo, this car just keeps suprising me. Im pretty sure it needs a rebuild but this is my first turbo car. It spins freely but has a good amount of play front to back, and only slight side to side, no scraping and compressor wheel looks good. I haven't driven the car yet so I don't know if it boosts or not, I did have it running recently and there was no smoke and I could here it spool, also the I/C pipes are clean. Is it worth rebuilding and can this be run safely on the stock ecu/injectors? ('91 tsi 5spd)

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yes it is a great turbo.

 

[4Lurker4]

Yup, great turbo! Rebuild it

 

[Nuzzi]

cool, I found mhi rebuild kits for cheap. Basicly I just need to run this on the stock inj/ecu until I have everything for a big upgrade. So I don't want to waste cash on 2g maf and 550s for example, just trying to use whats there for now.

well turns out its shot. I pulled it out today and the turbine blades are chewed up like a rock was in there, is that normal wear? Makes me wonder if something went through the motor, the turbine housing also had a couple cracks. I think its just a 6cm anyway.

 

[JusMX141]

Turbine wheel has inducer damage, compressor wheel is likely damaged as well from the in/out play. Someone like me would consider this rebuildable, but the average guy may not want to put that much money into a Small 16G. Then again, once it's rebuilt with new wheels it'll basically be a new turbo...and where are you going to find a new 16G for the meager amount of money you'd invest in this one.

 

[Nuzzi]

Is it OK to have a couple small cracks on the inside of the turbine housing? I see two very small cracks, they don't go through to the outside.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

That's pretty common actually. As long as they don't go through like you said they don't you'll be good

 

[Nuzzi]

Im thinking about just going holset while the car is still apart. I planned to go that way soon anyway with ostrich on SD.