Buying Used - need advice
 

Hi all,

I'm currently slowly piecing together a DIY system for my '96 and using the FAQ as a guide. Currently I'm looking for a T25 off of an Nissan SR20 engine, but I've never looked at Turbos before, let alone used turbos. What should I look out for when buying used? I've read terms like "shaft play" but I don't really understand what that means.

Any help/links would be appreciated.

Thanks.

shaft play means the shaft of the turbine can move around freely. Ususally some in/out (front to back) is fine. Any side/side and it means there is space for the turbine to move around....this means the bearings are worn down and it's not good on the shaft.

check the blades, they shouldn't be worn at all.

See if you can't spot any oil leakage. (check the turbine area, you'll see carbon, but oil shouldn't be there)

All in all, if the condition of the blades are good you can rebuild them cheap.



also remember I wrote that FAQ a little 89-93 biased, so there might be a few variances you need to watch out for (oil feed, AFM vs. MAF)

fyi... some lateral play is normal in a non BB turbo.

I highly recommend taking the housings off when buying it as well to inspect the wheels. A wheel could have made contact inside the housing and you would never be able to see it from just the outside. You'll need a beefy pair of 90* snapring pliers or big like 8" 90* needle nose (i use needlenose, they're strong). You'll use the pliers to remove the compressor housing which is easy. You'll also need a wrench to remove the turbine housing, the SR20 T25's are a 13mm bolt on the turbine side.
After looking a bunch of used turbos and almost getting screwed 2/3 times i refuse to buy without disassembly photos or taking it apart myself before cash is handed over.

Apparently its acceptable in a BB turbo also. Not a ton, but it tightens up with oil in it just like a journal bearing turbo.

^ thats true

Great, thanks for your help!

Cracks around the wastegate flapper or anywhere on the turbine housing for that matter. Chipped fins on the compressor wheel indicating the turbo ingested something.

I doubt you'll find many sellers that will let you take a turbo apart.

Frank