Turbo worries - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SPHELL · 07-06-2004, 07:38

Im running a twin turbo on an EA. Tonight I checked one of the turbos and found it had a small amount of oil in the bellmouth of the compressor cover. It has also been blowing a small amount out of the outlet (intercooler side). When you have the car in neutral with the engine running and put your finger on the compressor wheels while revving the engine, the rear turbo wants to spin and is quite forceful against your finger. The one with the oil in it doesn't push against your finger much at all. It also appears to spin slower than the rear one.

Any idea what this means? is there something wrong with the bearings or seals or something. What happens when you blow a turbo?

ebxr8240 · 07-07-2004, 04:27

Doesn't sound too good!! Is there much play in the shaft ?? Compare them...
Check that the oil return lines are direct to sump and almost straight down to it..
If they are ball bearing turbo's check if they have a built in oil restrictor ? If not you'll need a 1mm oil restrictor...
You may have damaged turbine ???

SPHELL · 07-07-2004, 05:36

sorry i should have put down a bit more info....

there is absoloutely no shaft play in either of the turbos....I checked the turbine wheel a while ago and it was ok. Haven't checked it for about a month now. I did notice one night when I was giving the car a thrash down the hwy, a weird noise came from the engine bay at about 5500rpm. I immediately put the clutch in just incase....I never found out what it was...I hope it wasn't part of the turbine :(

How do I check if they have an oil restrictor and what does it do?

svo347 · 07-07-2004, 05:59

Check out the oil feed line, it restricts the oil flow down as roller bearings dont need as much oil & tends to make them drag.
you may have an oil coked bearing, Id rip it to bits to see exactly whats going on.

ebxr8240 · 07-07-2004, 06:41

Are your turbo's water cooled ??? Try starting engine with oil supply off turbo If oil absolutely pisses out, it doesnt have one..Unless there is one IN turbo..They warn't in mine.If they are Nissan turbo's you'll need external restrictor. DON"T run more than 30 seconds without oil line connected..

You MAY have blown head gasget or the cylinders feeding that turbo may not quite be up to scratch[as the other three] meaning the exhaust isn't pushing it as hard as the other one..Then what happens if there is too much difference, The stronger turbo push's back through the weak one.. Do you have a bov ??

SPHELL · 07-08-2004, 02:13

hmmm might have to pull it apart to check it....

ebxr8240 - yeah the turbo's are Nissan N1 spec T28's from the Nissan factory race GTR's. They are oil and water cooled. So do you mean disconnect the oil FEED line from the turbo and see if oil pisses out OF the turbo when the engine is started???

thanks for the help so ffar guys btw

ebxr8240 · 07-08-2004, 02:47

Yes just idling..I run mine without restrictors and there was smoke everywhere...I used a milled down carb jet...Fixed...

SPHELL · 07-08-2004, 05:00

ahh cool I know what you mean

Well I have disconnected the oil drain line before while the engine was running and the oil was only dripping out, whereas the oil feed line (from the engine) pissed oil everywhere when I disconnected that. So I'm thinking that they must have some kind of restrictor in them if the oil is pouring in but only dripping out. Anyway, I'll check it out on the weekend. Cheers.