Update on my turbo conversion... BNR!
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,279
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From: Wilmington, DE
Update on my turbo conversion... BNR!
So, as some of you know, I gave up trying to work on the engine from the balcony of my high-rise apartment. Since KDR Rotary quoted me a very good price on the conversion and because I wanted the peace of mind of having the engine fully torn down and then professionally tuned...
So, everything goes in just fine, custom exhaust etc. I went through BNR and got their stage 4 turbo with a 14lb actuator spring as I have run BNR turbos twice on other cars with no problems. The car will not boost past 5 psi. Tried all kinds of troubleshooting including: routing from the turbo to the throttle body (bypass the BOV and intercooler), removing the wastegate actuator, removing the downpipe and ensuring that the wastegate is not stuck open, remove the entire exhust to ensure it is not cloged etc.
Turbo appears to be spinning freely and is nice an tight. On removal of the turbo, the compressor wheel can spin independantly of the shaft (with some effort). So, it looks like the compressor blades are not spining up like they should. Furthermore, it looks like they may have grooved a little into the housing of the compressor.
Dave, at KDR, sent the turbo back to Brian at BNR. It seems like they have had disagreements before as to who was at fault when a turbo went bad. In this case, I do not see how KDR could have messed it up as it seems bvious that either the wheel was not torqued correctly or the loc-tite was not applied correctly.
It sucks for me, as I am out of my car which I was hoping to drive a little before the winter set in. Besides, I already paid for all the work to be done and a $1k turbo rebuild.
I paid, can I play now?Anyone ever heard of this issue with a rebuilt turbo?
So, everything goes in just fine, custom exhaust etc. I went through BNR and got their stage 4 turbo with a 14lb actuator spring as I have run BNR turbos twice on other cars with no problems. The car will not boost past 5 psi. Tried all kinds of troubleshooting including: routing from the turbo to the throttle body (bypass the BOV and intercooler), removing the wastegate actuator, removing the downpipe and ensuring that the wastegate is not stuck open, remove the entire exhust to ensure it is not cloged etc.
Turbo appears to be spinning freely and is nice an tight. On removal of the turbo, the compressor wheel can spin independantly of the shaft (with some effort). So, it looks like the compressor blades are not spining up like they should. Furthermore, it looks like they may have grooved a little into the housing of the compressor.
Dave, at KDR, sent the turbo back to Brian at BNR. It seems like they have had disagreements before as to who was at fault when a turbo went bad. In this case, I do not see how KDR could have messed it up as it seems bvious that either the wheel was not torqued correctly or the loc-tite was not applied correctly.
It sucks for me, as I am out of my car which I was hoping to drive a little before the winter set in. Besides, I already paid for all the work to be done and a $1k turbo rebuild.
I paid, can I play now?Anyone ever heard of this issue with a rebuilt turbo?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, DE
Yeah, we got some snow this weekend, so I think it is too late for the car this year. At least I should have it sorted out come the spring. I just never heard of a turbo doing that before--especially not from BNR.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 18
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From: Louisiana
Hello,
I work for a Caterpillar dealer and inspect cores often, and many are turbos or cartridges. I also handle the warranty side of parts for the dealership. Unfortunately, the issue you are describing is quite common (at least in my industry). If your fins are touching the housing, tolerances have been crossed and I believe you're lucky your turbo hasn't fully crapped out yet. Like any other component, turbos/cartridges can be defective before ever being run, and a full rebuild would also correct any of the issues in a used turbo. Without improper operation by you or even enough time to exhibit improper operation, a full warranty of the failure should be in effect by your seller. I wish you good luck, and hope you get a good outcome.
I work for a Caterpillar dealer and inspect cores often, and many are turbos or cartridges. I also handle the warranty side of parts for the dealership. Unfortunately, the issue you are describing is quite common (at least in my industry). If your fins are touching the housing, tolerances have been crossed and I believe you're lucky your turbo hasn't fully crapped out yet. Like any other component, turbos/cartridges can be defective before ever being run, and a full rebuild would also correct any of the issues in a used turbo. Without improper operation by you or even enough time to exhibit improper operation, a full warranty of the failure should be in effect by your seller. I wish you good luck, and hope you get a good outcome.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, DE
Hello,
I work for a Caterpillar dealer and inspect cores often, and many are turbos or cartridges. I also handle the warranty side of parts for the dealership. Unfortunately, the issue you are describing is quite common (at least in my industry). If your fins are touching the housing, tolerances have been crossed and I believe you're lucky your turbo hasn't fully crapped out yet. Like any other component, turbos/cartridges can be defective before ever being run, and a full rebuild would also correct any of the issues in a used turbo. Without improper operation by you or even enough time to exhibit improper operation, a full warranty of the failure should be in effect by your seller. I wish you good luck, and hope you get a good outcome.
I work for a Caterpillar dealer and inspect cores often, and many are turbos or cartridges. I also handle the warranty side of parts for the dealership. Unfortunately, the issue you are describing is quite common (at least in my industry). If your fins are touching the housing, tolerances have been crossed and I believe you're lucky your turbo hasn't fully crapped out yet. Like any other component, turbos/cartridges can be defective before ever being run, and a full rebuild would also correct any of the issues in a used turbo. Without improper operation by you or even enough time to exhibit improper operation, a full warranty of the failure should be in effect by your seller. I wish you good luck, and hope you get a good outcome.
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