Turbo Oil Seal's

Author
Discussion

hotrat

Original Poster:

112 posts

133 months

Saturday 7th June 2014
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Hi, I was hoping someone out there may have some experience with changing oil seals in a turbo. Is it really something you can do at home will it need to be balanced. Google the subject and some say check were the nut on the end of the CHRA (center housing rotating assembly) or Shaft is and when reassembling make sure it goes back in the exact same spot, thus rebalancing it to were it was. What do you think. Thanks

Disco_Biscuit

837 posts

201 months

Tuesday 10th June 2014
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hotrat said:
Hi, I was hoping someone out there may have some experience with changing oil seals in a turbo. Is it really something you can do at home will it need to be balanced. Google the subject and some say check were the nut on the end of the CHRA (center housing rotating assembly) or Shaft is and when reassembling make sure it goes back in the exact same spot, thus rebalancing it to were it was. What do you think. Thanks
Get a Turbo specialist to do it, shaft could be worn aswell and may need balancing after reassembly.

Nighthawk

1,757 posts

251 months

Friday 13th June 2014
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If the turbo oil seals have gone i'd suspect a degree of wear to be present in the bushings and shaft too, better to let a specialist recondition the unit imho rather than risk causing possibly terminal damage.

You should also check the oil supply to the turbo too. With proper lubrication and oil drainage the seals and bushings shouldn't have a problem.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

262 months

Monday 16th June 2014
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I rebuilt the turbo on my Fiat Coupe 20VT and put another 40k miles on with no issues whatsoever. I even fitted a 360 degree thrust bearing in anticipation of a boost upgrade that never happened.

As long as there's no damage and you keep the compressor and turbine lined up and make sure both wheels are clean and free of carbon when you reassemble the turbo there's no reason the balance should be off. Any sign of damage to the wheels or wear on the shaft and I'd get it properly reconditioned though.

It goes without saying that you need to keep everything nice and clean and stick to the recommended torque value for the compressor retaining nut (new nut usually supplied in rebuild kit).