Positioning turbo charger

[cabs]

I am half way through a project and have encountered a problem mounting a turbo. Due to a lack of space the only way to position the turbo is at a slight angle with the compressor higher than the turbine. I was wondering if this would cause any problems with the oil feed and return? The oil return pipe is roughly 25 degrees off verticle, will I encounter any problems with the oil laying in the bearing and working its way into the exhaust turbine?

Any thoughts greatly received.

[stevieturbo]

It should be ok at that. It would be riskier, if the exhaust housing was at a downward angle, as oil could accumulate at the piston ring seal in the turbine side and leak past.

but if the turbo is level, but oil feed/return clocked at a slight angle it should be fine.

[GreenV8S]

That layout would also put a (small) end load on the shaft. I know a lot of attention goes into the bearing design on these, but are they OK with a sustained end load?

[stevieturbo]

GreenV8S said:

That layout would also put a (small) end load on the shaft. I know a lot of attention goes into the bearing design on these, but are they OK with a sustained end load?

Its a turbo, when its spinning hard, there are huge thrust loadings on them.

[GreenV8S]

stevieturbo said:

GreenV8S said:

That layout would also put a (small) end load on the shaft. I know a lot of attention goes into the bearing design on these, but are they OK with a sustained end load?

Its a turbo, when its spinning hard, there are huge thrust loadings on them.

When you put it like that, it does seem obvious!

[cabs]

Thanks for the info. The whole unit will be at a sight angle, but looking at the oil return pipe there is a slight angle feeding into the pipe so oil wil hopefully drain away and not pool to much.

[cptsideways]

I'd double check what type of turbo it is, if its a standard bearing type they sit in an oil pool & this could be critical.

I'd have a chat with Grahame at Universal Turbo's he'll be able to tell you exactly what angle is ok & what is not, it's in the Garrett tech book I think.

[GavinPearson]

For the turbos on the engine I work on we feed the oil in through the top and drain out of the bottom.

I would very strongly advise to oversize the drain on the turbo, to minimise the possibility of oil finding it's way out of the seals on either side.

You need to also bear in mind that minimised pooling will stop coking around the bearing.

See if you can have the centre oriented to achieve this, it is a lot of work but it should avoid a lot of issues later on.