96rdstr

iTrader: (4)

A really big thanks goes to Brain for keeping the T3 rebuild thread in the "Useful Post". If it wasn't for that, and Gpopshop, I would have never been able to do it on my own. It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be, and for once everything went back together super smooth.

I think the turbo became compromised after my Exxon Valdes moment earlier this month. That was where I capped off the breather line from the intake.

Now this thing seems to spool up quicker.

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

Did you replace the thrust collar, I didn't on my most recent rebuild and the axial shaft play was enough for the wheel to contact the housing.

96rdstr

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, I replaced it all. I didn't have shaft play to begin with, and I still don't. I just had a lot of oil in the IC pipes after the breather line incident. 1st thought were the rings were fubar. Pulled all the plugs and they were clean. I cleaned the turbo, the surrounding area, ran the car for a couple of days and the oil eventually burned out of the system. However, on idle the car would start to burn a little oil, but this time I noticed that there was more oil residue where the compressor mounts to the CHRA. I figured I would do a mild rebuild and call it a day. If the rebuild didn't solve the problem then I would just buy another T3. I put the car back together on Thursday, and so far so good. Now I am blowing off IC pipes, whereas before I didn't/couldn't. So something is obviously better. I also replaced the PCV valve with a 323GTX unit from Mazda.

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

Use hairspray on your couplers, should help keep them "stuck" in place.

elesjuan

iTrader: (11)

Thanks for posting this thread! It motivated me to finish mine. Even though it had like 400 miles on it when I received it, I wanted to replace everything anyway... Just to be sure! The exhaust heat shield had some nasty *** choked oil covering it.. Spent maybe 30 minutes scrubbing at it with a brass brush and some simple green, then found that Mineral Spirits takes that **** right off with a rag.

I'm really worried about the bearings the diesel shop sold me.. They're factory size, and I think they're too big and might need to go down a size or so. Before I pulled it apart there was hardly any shaft play at all, now its pretty sloppy.