I think my turbo is bad, can you guys help me confirm?

[kornmanz]

Ok guys, I know this type of thing has been covered in other threads (I've searched) but I just want a quick confirmation from you guys so I dont go spending money on something that wont fix the issue. I was gonna revive an old thread but decided against it.

I think my turbo is bad. I did a compression test, fine. Starts up every time like normal. Occasionally it'll take 2 cranks but starts right up. It never over heats. Dont have oil temp or pressure gauges hooked up yet. Still holds boost well but is noisy.

I am occasionally blowing white smoke out the exhaust. (Apexi Dual N1, Apexi DP, No cat, no condensation inside exhaust)

It is never constantly blowing smoke, and when it does it only lasts a few seconds. It does it very randomly. Always when I'm boosting it. So my mind says turbo. It also makes a weird grinding/rattling type sound when it first enters boost and then leaves boost. I'm thinking shaft play. Basically, foot on throttle, boost starts raising, grinding/rattling noise, boost hits, foot off throttle, boost lowers, grinding/rattling noise.

Then after boost it might blow smoke, it might not. It could do it a few minutes later just for fun.

NEVER smokes when I'm not boosting though.


Can a few of you guys just confirm my theory that its the turbo? I want to be right before I drop a grand on a turbo ya know? Would be pissed if I dropped 1400 to find it was something else lol. Oh yeah its a highly modified red top SR, stock T25.

If it is the turbo, are ISIS turbos any good or should I stick with garrett?

[Lobo240sx]

Symptoms sound like a bad turbo seal and/or bearings. I would stick with another garret turbo. Perhaps a 2871R would be nice to have, or a S15 T28. Does it smoke while you are idling or at a red light?? Any large amounts of oil in your I/C piping?

[S14toRPS13]

Why don't you inspect the turbo for shaft play also?

[S-ICHISAN]

it sounds lie the turbo is the issue...
and the isis turbos r ok my friends have tracked car w this turbo w good outcomes

[Nismo_Freak]

Can a few of you guys just confirm my theory that its the turbo? I want to be right before I drop a grand on a turbo ya know? Would be pissed if I dropped 1400 to find it was something else lol. Oh yeah its a highly modified red top SR, stock T25.

If it is the turbo, are ISIS turbos any good or should I stick with garrett?

Pull off the intake, stick your hand in the compressor inlet and wiggle the shaft. If it has more than a millimeter or two of play then it's toast. You can visually inspect the compressor wheel for damage also while you're down there and/or a coating of oil. Pull off the charge pipe coming out of the compressor outlet and see how much oil is built up. It's normal to have a very light coating of oil, but it generally will spray oil all over the piping interior if the oil seal / center section is toast on the compressor side.

[Morph]

Im gonna say its the turbo as well. Mine had the same issues turbo is screeching when hitting boost and smoke swaped out old and in with new and its been perfect.

Also im running an Isis RS3371 or something to that effect gotta check when im home. Im pushing 9-10lbs and its been fine, takes a little longer to hit full boost vs my S14 T28 but its not bad. I was kinda iffy on the Isis turbo but after talking to Ken at Enjuku i have no worries. I've been ordering parts from them since 04, if he says its good its good.