How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
Thread Starter
1.0 BAR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
Sup guys? I just picked up a nice saab t3 from a junkyard. I had to get it. Their turbo's are only 45 bucks and this one had NO shaft play and spun realllly smooth. BUT I don't want to put it on my car and then the seals end up being blown. Is there any way to tell whether the seals are bad or not before I go putting it on? I always thought a good indication was if there was shaft play but there's not on this one.
Thread Starter
1.0 BAR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
by the way, I just looked and there's a little bit of oil in the compressor housing. Not like a ton but it's noticable. Im wondering if it could have just rolled in there when I was taking the turbo off of the saab. I moved it around a ton.
0.0 BAR
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 0
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
I wouldn't worry about it. It seems pretty rare for junkyard turbos to be completely worthless. I've only had one, which also didn't have any more shaft play than any other junkyard turbo I've had. Realistically the most you'll have to do is put a restrictor on it and choke it down.
From my experience, you have about a 6% chance that it's completely worthless, and those are good odds. Run it.
From my experience, you have about a 6% chance that it's completely worthless, and those are good odds. Run it.
1.5 BAR
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 877
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
I think you have zero % chances that it's worthless.
the condition of the seals and some sloppiness of the shaft is nothing to worry about because you will have it rebuilt prior to use. You didn't plan to use it as is did you??
at least, You have a good stage1 t3 0.48 a/r turbine there.
The compressor is a 45 or 50 trim 0.42 a/r, too small for most performance application. t3 60 trim or a small t4 compressor feels much better on most 4 banger if it's for a performance application.
MOST probably, the turbine housing is cracked across the wastegate hole and along the turbine snail, which has to be fixed. typically, they always have tons of carbon residues inside, that already started to take a toll on performance and reliability of this turbo.
the condition of the seals and some sloppiness of the shaft is nothing to worry about because you will have it rebuilt prior to use. You didn't plan to use it as is did you??
at least, You have a good stage1 t3 0.48 a/r turbine there.
The compressor is a 45 or 50 trim 0.42 a/r, too small for most performance application. t3 60 trim or a small t4 compressor feels much better on most 4 banger if it's for a performance application.
MOST probably, the turbine housing is cracked across the wastegate hole and along the turbine snail, which has to be fixed. typically, they always have tons of carbon residues inside, that already started to take a toll on performance and reliability of this turbo.
Thread Starter
1.0 BAR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
No I wasn't going to have it rebuilt. Im just doing a simple HMT kit to drive around on daily. Only gonna be running 7lbs. What would be different about buying this turbo from a yunkyard opposed to buying a used one from someone on here? Anyway, like I said, there's no shaft play and it's a pretty clean turbo. I don't think the seals are bad. I was just curious as to whether there was a way to check or not. Thanks
3.0 BAR
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,036
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
Originally Posted by Stealthmode
This is HMT, we don't buy turbos with the intention of rebuilding them, and the cracks on the wastegate don't amount to jack.
just buy a restrictor from www.---------------------------
1.5 BAR
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,162
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
Originally Posted by BLAAST
I think you have zero % chances that it's worthless.
the condition of the seals and some sloppiness of the shaft is nothing to worry about because you will have it rebuilt prior to use. You didn't plan to use it as is did you??
at least, You have a good stage1 t3 0.48 a/r turbine there.
The compressor is a 45 or 50 trim 0.42 a/r, too small for most performance application. t3 60 trim or a small t4 compressor feels much better on most 4 banger if it's for a performance application.
MOST probably, the turbine housing is cracked across the wastegate hole and along the turbine snail, which has to be fixed. typically, they always have tons of carbon residues inside, that already started to take a toll on performance and reliability of this turbo.
the condition of the seals and some sloppiness of the shaft is nothing to worry about because you will have it rebuilt prior to use. You didn't plan to use it as is did you??
at least, You have a good stage1 t3 0.48 a/r turbine there.
The compressor is a 45 or 50 trim 0.42 a/r, too small for most performance application. t3 60 trim or a small t4 compressor feels much better on most 4 banger if it's for a performance application.
MOST probably, the turbine housing is cracked across the wastegate hole and along the turbine snail, which has to be fixed. typically, they always have tons of carbon residues inside, that already started to take a toll on performance and reliability of this turbo.
1.5 BAR
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 877
Re: How can you tell if the oil seals are bad?
Originally Posted by Stephen
No I wasn't going to have it rebuilt. Im just doing a simple HMT kit to drive around on daily. Only gonna be running 7lbs. What would be different about buying this turbo from a yunkyard opposed to buying a used one from someone on here? Anyway, like I said, there's no shaft play and it's a pretty clean turbo. I don't think the seals are bad. I was just curious as to whether there was a way to check or not. Thanks
I did not realize it was just for driving around at 7 psi daily. In this case, It's a whole different story: your junkyard turbo with oil in the comp housing will not cause you any problems. That's for sure.
in case of problems, don't worry, take Mr, ososlohatch'S word for it: if the seals are blown, a Stealthmode restrictor will resolve all your problems.
