I'm picking up a Garrett T3 oil cooled .42 A/R .48 A/R in a couple of days. The person selling it to me says there's "Very little shaft play, which is normal." He claims the turbo is in excellent working condition, comes off of a 1986 Saab apparently.

For the question, what should i look at on the turbo to verify that it's in good working order? From the pictures, there's no chips on the fins on either side. However, how will I know when shaft play is either too much, or ok?

Any tips would help - thanks a million.

 

axle play means its no good. shaft play, as long as the fins don't rub again'st the housing its still good.

by the way, searching is good.

 

yes, there will be and should be a little shaft play. the turbine will tighten up with oil flowing through it. put your fingers on the turbine wheel, and move it to one side and spin it. if its rubbing on anything, you dont want it.

make sure you have no cracked fins, and the turbine spins freely. make sure there are no cracks or anything in the housings or fins.

the turbo will probably be nasty as ---- looking,(it cleans up with some degreaser) but if there are no cracks, the shaft spins freely, there is a little shaft play,(not alot, but a little) you should be good.

hope i was a help.

 

any in-out play and the turbo is shot

 

yeah physical inspections are all you can really do for now.....you won't be able to tell if the seals are ok until you run it

 

Beautiful, thanks for the quick responses guys!