im goign to be purchasing a used s4 turbo, but I want to clean it up and check for problems and what not before i use it. What methods would you guys suggest i used to clean it? And what all should I check for to make sure its in good condition before i bolt it on?

 

nobody has cleaned a turbo?

 

I'm also interested in this information.

 

If the "crud" is dry, a small brass brush will get most of it off.
For the nasty and wet stuff, I like to use "Oil Eater" cleaner.
Most of the strong water-based cleaners like Castrol Super Clean, Simple Green, etc. work well also.
If you're lazy, buy half a dozen cans of carb or brake cleaner and spray away.



-Ted

 

The book says:
End play - there should be none.
Side play - a little is OK, but the wheel must not contact the housing.

Cleaning - I was thinking of using the small wire wheel that came with my Dremmel - on low speed.
I keep reminding my self - If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

WTF, what happened to the supercharger?

 

TURBO IS BETTAR! Thx for the replies, im assuming using carb cleaner isnt gona hurt anything in the turbo? what if i were to soak the turbo in a bucket of carb cleaner eh?

 

Are you selling the supercharger?

 

He already sold it, a fair bit ago.

 

It's almost impossible to hurt anything even if you soak it in any cleaner.
What I would be more worried about if you do dunk it in cleaner is to allow everything to air dry and make sure you pre-lube the internals before you start it up.
The cleaner is going to wash all the internal oil off the bearings and contact surfaces, and trying to run them with no new oil mean certain turbo death.


-Ted

 

Isn't the carb cleaner you buy in jugs for soaking a bit more concentrated, and kills seals? I know the stuff I used to clean my engine parts wasn't very friendly to the old oil seals that I had forgotten about when I tossed the metal rings in.