Got my mits on another Turbo- (J-spec not that it matters) It is used, of course so not really new. It was "hanging" when I would spin the shaft, It was totally caked with oil and grime even in the inlet. I took it apart today, it is a S5 turbo and was thinking of using this as my turbo for the swap. I cleaned it up very well. Here's the thing....With the front "turbo snail" off now it seems that the turbo shaft doesn't drag anymore.. I wonder weither the turbo is ok? Is there anyway to test this thing, anything visual I can check? It has next to no shaft play now... Can it be trusted? What should I do? I have a perfectly good s4 turbo and s5 wastegate, should I just use that or try this? I mocked the cover back on and it seems to be ok...

I am rambling...

 

if there is no excessive shaft play and it spins freely now i say toss it on and see how it does.

 

I am a little aprehensive about putting it on as I have heard that if a turbo locks up you can overheat the engine somehow.. I am going to put it back together and spin it for a couple hours while watching 40 year old virgin or something. I wonder where all the oil came from, it was only caked on the outside and the inside was pretty clear other then directly in the inlet neck...

 

most engines leak oil, its just the way it goes. my old stocker had a 4mm layer of crap on it when i pulled it off but it still worked and is working fine in another car still. i have never heard of a turbo locking up causing overheating, it will just cause a lack of power and i have pulled a locked up turbo out of a running car.

 

Sweet. I will let you guys know how it turns out!

 

Karack is right, if anything the motor will probably run even cooler because of the lack of boost in the intake charge. Definitely give it a shot and see how it goes.

 

Do it do it... it wont hurt anything. If it has no shaft play and feels like it spins fine with your hand, I say go for it... The only thing its gonna cost you is time.

 

if there is NO shaft play that is the trick!

minimal side to side is OK, any in-out is NOT, any major side-to-side (more than 1/8") is junk and needs a new bearing

 

i just recently put on a j-spec turbo and its smoking VERY bad.....
the car smoke very little the day before the new turbo was installed... i have a homemade oild drain that i think is the culprit but is their a way to test if its the turbo itself smoking like this?