Turbo failure

Hitman

Hitman

New member
Jun 16, 2009
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Monroe, WA
This is an HTT 66-71-13 that I installed almost 3 years ago, it has roughly 30k on it.

While on the roll I laid into it and got a loud pop, my first guess was that I had poped a intercooler boot... No such luck.

IMG_3308.jpg
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Any ideas on what causes turbo failure like this?

Before I replace it it would be nice to figure out why it failed so I don't have to revisit this head ache.

.
 
chevyburnout1

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
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Berthoud, CO
That's a bummer to see. I just replaced an injector on my truck and while I had the boot off I noticed my HTT is already throwing a good amount of oil after only two years. Could have been a few things that caused it. Charge air leak somewhere causing the turbo to work harder/overspool, oil supply issue, oil return issue, wrench in the intake...
 
super diesel

super diesel

<<<< Under Pressure
May 14, 2007
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www.superdieselperformance.com
Screw driver in the intake, oil quality going through it, worn out bearing from compromised oil quality and then a sudden touch (impeller to compressor housing or turbine to exhaust housing) at high boost to adios it.

Wonder what the oil temp is coming out of the turbo center section after sustained 1200*F+ EGT and heat soak? Hmmmm.
 
Hitman

Hitman

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Jun 16, 2009
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Monroe, WA
chevyburnout1 said:
That's a bummer to see. I just replaced an injector on my truck and while I had the boot off I noticed my HTT is already throwing a good amount of oil after only two years. Could have been a few things that caused it. Charge air leak somewhere causing the turbo to work harder/overspool, oil supply issue, oil return issue, wrench in the intake...[/QUOTE

As far as air leaks the only thing I found was an exhaust side leak where the turbo mounts to the pedestal.
How would you know if the turbo was over spooling, boost pressure?
With the 13 housing it boosts early and at cruising at 70/75mph it runs around 18 to 22lbs of boost.
At w/o throttle when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd I get a spike 42 to 45lbs then it will hold at 38lbs.
I broke my foot and had surgery 2 weeks ago so climbing in the engine bay is damm near imposable, Not 100% sure but I think the impeller shaft broke.

Oil supply comes from the side of the block, I'm going to get an oil sample and run it over to the local Cat dealer. For you guys that run aftermarket turbos what oil do you use? Since day one I have just used Delo 15/40 every 4000 miles.

super diesel said:
Screw driver in the intake, oil quality going through it, worn out bearing from compromised oil quality and then a sudden touch (impeller to compressor housing or turbine to exhaust housing) at high boost to adios it.

Wonder what the oil temp is coming out of the turbo center section after sustained 1200*F+ EGT and heat soak? Hmmmm.
Click to expand...

Good news is I got my screw driver that have been missing for 3 years back, LOL.
As far as oil temp I have always let my truck idle for 2 to 5 min before shut down especially while towing.
I have been looking all over the internet and I can't find many turbo failures.
Click to expand...
 
S

S Phinney

Active member
Aug 15, 2008
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Quncy, Fl
That's caused by the wheel hitting the housing. It over spun but most likely had too much bearing end play. You are pushing it harder than the Turbo likes to see.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
super diesel

super diesel

<<<< Under Pressure
May 14, 2007
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Hitman said:
chevyburnout1 said:
That's a bummer to see. I just replaced an injector on my truck and while I had the boot off I noticed my HTT is already throwing a good amount of oil after only two years. Could have been a few things that caused it. Charge air leak somewhere causing the turbo to work harder/overspool, oil supply issue, oil return issue, wrench in the intake...[/QUOTE

As far as air leaks the only thing I found was an exhaust side leak where the turbo mounts to the pedestal.
How would you know if the turbo was over spooling, boost pressure?
With the 13 housing it boosts early and at cruising at 70/75mph it runs around 18 to 22lbs of boost.
At w/o throttle when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd I get a spike 42 to 45lbs then it will hold at 38lbs.
I broke my foot and had surgery 2 weeks ago so climbing in the engine bay is damm near imposable, Not 100% sure but I think the impeller shaft broke.

Oil supply comes from the side of the block, I'm going to get an oil sample and run it over to the local Cat dealer. For you guys that run aftermarket turbos what oil do you use? Since day one I have just used Delo 15/40 every 4000 miles.



Good news is I got my screw driver that have been missing for 3 years back, LOL.
As far as oil temp I have always let my truck idle for 2 to 5 min before shut down especially while towing.
I have been looking all over the internet and I can't find many turbo failures.
Click to expand...


The way you test for boost issues and I/C leaking for an over spool situation (without over fueling as part of the equation) is, you will need a plug for the up pipe before it goes in to the motor and another in the turbo input side with a hole in it taped for a pressure gauge and air fitting to charge the I/C system to see if it leaks. You can usually hear the leaking right away with low pressure in it if it's bad or a problem.

What I meant by the oiling issue is if the oil has been over temped at any time during usage which would compromise its ability to lubricate properly (it only takes once). These turbos need good, clean, non-broken down oil. The problem is this. If the oil does get broken down, you would never know without and oil temp gauge. Do you haul much with it?

I use to run the Delo and Delvac but now after MUCH oil temp testing I've done, I'm using the Schaeffer 9000 5w-40 with outstanding results (cooler running over all which is crazy and I never would have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes). I also am running an oil cooler now to help keep things in check (tests were done with AND without the cooler) because I've already toasted one main bearing and a turbo which I believe had a lot to do with the compromising of the oil. I also use a turbo timer and always have which didn't save my turbo thrust and main bearing. Super clean oil that's cool is a big help in this area.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
vern

vern

Member
May 25, 2008
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PA
Thurst bearing failure Is my guess, seems to be a common problem with these chargers
 
Hitman

Hitman

New member
Jun 16, 2009
18
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Monroe, WA
super diesel said:
Hitman said:
The way you test for boost issues and I/C leaking for an over spool situation (without over fueling as part of the equation) is, you will need a plug for the up pipe before it goes in to the motor and another in the turbo input side with a hole in it taped for a pressure gauge and air fitting to charge the I/C system to see if it leaks. You can usually hear the leaking right away with low pressure in it if it's bad or a problem.

What I meant by the oiling issue is if the oil has been over temped at any time during usage which would compromise its ability to lubricate properly (it only takes once). These turbos need good, clean, non-broken down oil. The problem is this. If the oil does get broken down, you would never know without and oil temp gauge. Do you haul much with it?

I use to run the Delo and Delvac but now after MUCH oil temp testing I've done, I'm using the Schaeffer 9000 5w-40 with outstanding results (cooler running over all which is crazy and I never would have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes). I also am running an oil cooler now to help keep things in check (tests were done with AND without the cooler) because I've already toasted one main bearing and a turbo which I believe had a lot to do with the compromising of the oil. I also use a turbo timer and always have which didn't save my turbo thrust and main bearing. Super clean oil that's cool is a big help in this area.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply's and laughs guys.

Super Diesel yes I haul, that's almost all I do with it these days, the usual load is 4000lb slide in camper on the truck towing a 26' enclosed snowmobile trailer over mountain passes quite often.
My truck spools up early with the smaller housing I have, would running 18 to 22 plus pounds of boost at cruise play a roll in bearing failure?

Changing brands of oil is easy enough, checking for leaks will take some work. When you say checking for leaks are you referring to leaks like inter cooler boots to exhaust and other piping or something internal with the turbo?
I did find a large exhaust leak where the turbo mounts to the pedestal

Are you the same SD that makes tierod sleeves and center links?
Click to expand...
 
GeneralTJI

GeneralTJI

Turbo Todd
Jun 1, 2010
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Colorado
Slightly less when unloaded cruising 70/75mph but not a lot. I have to run at 60 to 65mph to keep it to around 10psi or the fuel economy really drops.
Click to expand...

whoa, that's a lot of boost for just driving around. My s366 makes 0 boost (maybe 1 psi) when cruising on the highway empty. egt's are aroun 650 at 65-70mph... fuel economy has picked up vs. stock turbo.

Hmm.. sounds like maybe that little housing was causing some drive pressure issues and over-working the turbo? Do you have a DP gauge by chance?
 
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