danny6801

Well-Known Member
Think my turbo is on its last legs wobbling a little to much. My question is where is the best place to buy 1 or do I try and replace the cartridge myself is it hard or not?
 
I purchased one off ebay - came from an engine that's bottom end had failed (or at least that's what i was told)

Still on the truck now.
 
So was yours second hand I've been down that route before think I want it reconditioned or new but see ones on eBay a lot cheaper than Garrett not sure on quality though.
 
Mine was 2nd hand.

I cant quite remember what i paid - £130 i think, with a cylinder head attatched - this was a few years back though. I bought a whole rotten disco for £300 since.

Im sure ive seen 300 turbos for around the £75 mark more recently.

At least a turbo is one that you can inspect for play before fitting.
 
Taking my 300TDi turbo off for checking tomorrow.
Have a turbo related noise so am taking the turbo to Turbo Technics who will do a free inspection and then quote on what work (if any) is required.

If it turns out to be goosed I will see whether a rebuild or replacement is the order of the day.
For a rebuild I will let TT deal with it. If I think that replacement is the better option I will go for an OE Garrett.
 
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Taking my 300TDi turbo off for checking tomorrow.
Have a turbo related noise so am taking the turbo to Turbo Technics who will do a free inspection and then quote on what work (if any) is required.

If it turns out to be goosed I will see whether a rebuild or replacement is the order of the day.
For a rebuild I will let TT deal with it. If I think that replacement is the better option I will go for an OE Garrett.


They will defo say its worn, but theres useable worn and then theres worn out, useable worn doesnt make them any money.
Over the years Ive owned many a turbo diesel and have only replaced a couple of turbos and they were always 2nd hand.
 
"They will defo say its worn"

Quite possibly but what annoys me is that if it is faulty that it should have gone so at such a low mileage.
I have owned many turbocharged vehicles and never had any issues whereas this one is making strange noises at only 40K miles.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a S/H item, doesn't even come into the equation.
 
Yes but 2nd hand is 50 quid or less, got to be worth a look.
Exactly what sort of noises is it making?
Ref the shaft wobble so long as the vanes are not touching the alloy casing as they spin and its not passing large amounts of oil it most likely okay.
 
Any advice on splitting the turbo as I hear that splitting the turbo off the manifold can cause a bit of grief as the bolts snap would plus gas help over a few days prior to removal plus some heat.
 
Danny,
Why do you want to split it? If you buy another used turbo, it will probably come with the manifold.

If you send the unit for repair, just send it complete.
 
"Yes but 2nd hand is 50 quid or less, got to be worth a look. Exactly what sort of noises is it making? Ref the shaft wobble so long as the vanes are not touching the alloy casing as they spin and its not passing large amounts of oil it most likely okay."
Noise is a sort of screeching when the turbo spins up.
Looks to be damage to the vanes, certainly something has passed through and caused some damage.
S/H could be £5, still wouldn't consider it. ;)

Contacted TT and contrary to what it says on their website they don't offer a free collection service (in fact the lady I spoke to said they had never offered this so why it states it in black and white that they do I don't know as it is false advertising?). As I didn't have time to go there this afternoon I have decided to send it to Turbo Centre UK instead.

"I hear that splitting the turbo off the manifold can cause a bit of grief as the bolts snap."
Mine came apart just fine. :D
A drop of WD40 plus a 1/2 inch ring-spanner (helps if it has been ground down as the fins stop a full sized one getting into position) and they came out ok (a tap with a rubber mallet helped).
 
All this talk of "Wouldn't touch a 2nd hand turbo...."

I thought i should re-iterate - im driving around on a 2nd hand turbo.
Indeed, most of you are, unless you bought the vehicle from new!

But, each to their own...


note, my original, 2nd hand turbo [ie the one that came with the vehicle] is still in my spares pile - i changed it thinking it was faulty, and the error was elsewhere
 
"Indeed, most of you are, unless you bought the vehicle from new!"
I did.

No problem with S/H items (in fact I sell many) but as you say it is each to their own and I prefer to fit new items whenever possible.
 
All this talk of "Wouldn't touch a 2nd hand turbo...."

I thought i should re-iterate - im driving around on a 2nd hand turbo.
Indeed, most of you are, unless you bought the vehicle from new!

But, each to their own...


note, my original, 2nd hand turbo [ie the one that came with the vehicle] is still in my spares pile - i changed it thinking it was faulty, and the error was elsewhere


Very valid point.
Lots of the trucks at work have done well over a million kms and their turbos work just fine.

In my game a bad mech is one who insists on new when the component he is replacing is if fact serviceable, basically hes changing it because he doesnt know how far it can be pushed before it becomes an issue ie hes scared.
It is of course a fine line as theres the opposite type who cannot spot a major failing thats about to happen again because hes not very good at his job.
 
IMG_20161029_155137.jpg
OK I've stripped it off the car and tried separating the turbo from the manifold and only 1 bolt come loose the other 3 snapped. What are my options now can I drill the bolts out and rethread if so what will I need to do this as I've never had to drill old bolts out and rethread.
 
View attachment 109814 OK I've stripped it off the car and tried separating the turbo from the manifold and only 1 bolt come loose the other 3 snapped. What are my options now can I drill the bolts out and rethread if so what will I need to do this as I've never had to drill old bolts out and rethread.

If you drill very carefully, then you can maintain the original thread.

Drill undersize, but central. Make sure its central. Work up the drills, and, at some point, the remaining 'skin' wont be structural any more. You can then run a tap through to clean the thread.
 

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