I had to do some work to my hatch so I ripped my manifold/turbo etc off. I went to polish the compressor housing while I was waiting for parts and doing other work, well there was no o-ring between the housing and the backing plate. I'm not used to this. I've always seen an o-ring there. Is this normal or was this just an oversight from garrett themselves? Turbo is a t3/to4e. Thanks

 

so i assume you took off the comp housing, comp wheel, and then took the backplate off?
There isn't supposed to be an o-ring It's actually a circular clip with a slice in it that rides in the shaft of the piece that protrudes into the backplate. So when you snap the backplate on the clip tightens up and holds back the pressure. It's usually metal .

 

Incorrect. I took off the compressor housing. I did not ---- with the center housing. I unbolted 6 bolts, removed the flanges and removed the compressor housing. I need to know if there should be an o-ring there on my garrett turbo. On my old turbonetics turbo I know there was one there. If mine was missing than I need to get one.

 

its not an o ring but a flat gasket (big circle) that fits between the backing plate and the compressor housing.
any turbo shop will sell you it individually.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T3-Tu...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Thanks man I appreciate it. So do you think I have been seaping out some boost this entire time?

 

I put them back on with high temp RTV. I've never had an issue, and if I did it was probably mistaken as a mad cool sounding turbo. Don't sweat the technique.

 

I was considering doing that but I may just buy another roll of gasket maker and cut out my own. Thought of using a manila folder but I'm conserned with the excessive amount of heat with that.

 

only if it's the red kind. right steve?

 

only the t3 has a flat paper gasket but t04b and t04e are installed from the factory, metal on metal with no sealant. if you still want to put some, not too thick because it will increase wheel clearance and reduce turbo effiiciency.