Is My Turbo About to Die?

Just been giving the end of my turbo shaft a good waggle to assess it's state of wear.

There is no discernable back and forth play, but noticable side to side play.

I realize that the standard D2 turbo shaft uses oil as its bearing face, therefore there should be some sideways play. The question is how much?

I am getting about 1.25mm of total side to side movement at the very end of the shaft.

The vanes look great, there is no blow by of oil and when I turn the vanes with the shaft at the extremity of its play, there is no hint of the vanes scraping on the inside of the turbo casting.

I have thus far not looked at the exhaust maniold side of the turbo.

Mine feels the same?? But still pulls ok!

Mine pulls good too Monkey - especially since I de-catted it the other week.

But the question is how long for? Hence I am trying to guage what sort of play on the spindle is acceptable and what is not. Or ideed, is this a credible way of assessing the state of the turbo?

Sorry to appear full of doom and gloom, but could we both have turbos that are about to bid farewell? I'm hoping the answer is a resounding "no".

It was like it when I looked at it nearly 5 years ago and it's still the same play and I do make it work hard so I'm not too worried at the mo

That sounds like "The Correct Answer" to me Monkey.

I'm a bit nervy about turbos as this is only the second I have owned. The last one was on my Mondeo 2.2 tdci. At least it was until it was eaten and defecated in quick succession. Wrecked the engine. Can't afford to have that happen again, hence my anxiety about all things turbo related.

Don't blame you then!