Turbo failure - reusable?

[acealfa]

Hi,

My first time stripping down a turbo from a 1.3 fiat 500. I was going to just replace the cartridge but I'm not sure if the rest is any good, is the play normal or should I get a full turbo? Here is a video showing

https://youtube.com/shorts/Umsl47uM9C0?feature=sha...

The hot side is complete detached but It's not obvious how it would have been attached? Also I'm pretty sure something has been bouncing around on the intake side. Should there have been a nut on the end?

Many thanks

[GreenV8S]

That isn't a turbo, it's the partially dismantled remains of a wrecked turbo. Did you buy it like that? On purpose?

[acealfa]

I know it's fubar & no, I've removed it from my car. Now I understand a bit more my original question was if the VNT section of the turbo was ok & after pulling it apart further it looks fine to use.

[stevemcs]

I’d be buying a new turbo, replacing the oil feed and return, dropping the sump and cleaning that out and cleaning the strainer.

[GreenV8S]

acealfa said:

I've removed it from my car.

In that case the combination of missing nut and mangled turbine wheel make sense, but I'm intrigued to know why you're asking how the parts were attached if you're the one who dismantled it.

[acealfa]

On the 3rd picture was how it was, the turbine wasn’t connected at all to anything if that makes any sense.

I’m going to do a compression test tomorrow then drop the sump if readings are ok

[stevemcs]

Drop the sump regardless

[vaud]

stevemcs said:

Drop the sump regardless

After all the rest of that turbo went somewhere…

[acealfa]

Just done a compression test but only had a gauge with 300 max psi. Expected it to max out but came back with these readings.. The low readings could be a dodgy gauge but would have hoped they would have been similar.

1 - 142 psi
2 - 120 psi
3 - 137 psi
4 - 165 psi

[stevemcs]

A broken turbo isn't really going to affect the compression, its the bits of metal that have been spread via the oil throughout the block. if you turn it over (like you have) without cleaning out the oil system then you will have only made it worse. You can already see there is plenty of metal that's come from the turbo.

[GreenV8S]

The low cylinder reading might indicate a damaged/worn bore or a damaged valve/seat. Given that you've had at least the nut and various pieces of broken turbine wheel go through the engine it's not at all surprising that you have damage. I think you need to decide how much time and money you're willing to spend finding out how bad the damage is. If you think it's worth while, you need to look at both the top and bottom end.

[acealfa]

When I drained the oil there was no evidence of any metal but in hindsight I probably shouldn't have tested it more after seeing the damage to the turbo. I think I'll probably pull the head off & inspect. I was looking for a bit of a project but a 1.3 diesel wasn't what I had in mind

[acealfa]

Dropped the sump, found the chain guide rail at the bottom. Also found the turbo nut in the intake pipe but there was a fair bit of glitter at the bottom of the sump!

So if the timing was out from a skipped tooth or 2 on the chain would that affect the compression test?

[Gtom]

I’m going to say that engine sounds like it needs to be scrapped.

[acealfa]

Gtom said:

I’m going to say that engine sounds like it needs to be scrapped.

You may be right, I'm interested to see what damage has been done though.

[stevemcs]

Pull the bearing caps off the cylinders that are furthest away from the oil pick up - usually closest to the gearbox

[acealfa]

Pulled the engine out now, it's shocked me how much stuff there is. I understand now why no one wanted to touch it

[mat205125]

acealfa said:

Just done a compression test but only had a gauge with 300 max psi. Expected it to max out but came back with these readings.. The low readings could be a dodgy gauge but would have hoped they would have been similar.

1 - 142 psi
2 - 120 psi
3 - 137 psi
4 - 165 psi

Did you ensure that the throttle was open when you did the test, otherwise you're just testing how much you can compress the air that's already in the inlet.

[acealfa]

Yes and no.. the throttle pedal was down but that might not mean it was open..

One of the original faults was the engine would fire then cut out. Once I got it running the throttle wouldn’t rev unless the breather was unplugged. I’ve since checked the butterfly now the engine is out and it’s resting open, covered in oily crud so it is possible it was closed during the test.

[acealfa]

GG