Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone, after getting my T25 last year it has largely been neglected due to work and life being mad. However this year I am determined to get some proper use out of the old girl. It was bought as a bargain basement off the road Westfalia 1.6Td. We a (apparently) refurbed turbo and a fairly recently rebuilt engine. Ever since I have had it, it has burnt lots of oil and everywhere I go I leave a james bond style cloud of smoke to cover my tracks the tailgate it also always covered in black oil spots.

I've been under today and the turbo does indeed look bright shiny and new (about the only thing that does!), removing the air feed pipe to it and oil RUNS out. That would explain it! I can just grasp the shaft to the turbo and cant feel any movement in it, however using a finger to try and rotate it, it feels a lot stiffer then I would expect. I would have thought it to be very easy to flick and for it to rotate easily however it doesnt. I've not had/replaced a turbo before. Am I right in thinking this? I've removed the puck the top of the engine and this is not blocked.

I've not had a T25 before, but I generally cannot hear any turbo whistle and it does seem slow with hills generally being a 2nd gear affair. I'm thinking this is a remove turbo and send to midland turbos* job.

What do you guys and girls think?

*reading old threads Midlands seem to get the thumbs up

ADVthanksANCE

Matthew

It does sound suspect as you state the shaft is stiff but I would also check the oil return is clear and the correct level of oil is in the engine and it's not overfull.

Thanks I'll check those as I strip it all down ready to send off. Have pulled most bits of cars apart but never diesel turbo lumps, so unsure what is normal or correct. have contacted midland to find out what there turnaround times are for this sort of thing.

Best Regards

Matthew

I rebuilt my turbo myself, rebuild kits are £35 off eBay and come with all the parts needed.
This is possible if the main housing impellers and shaft are in good order.

Oh heck - dont give me more options! Was it hard? And did you need any specialist tools? Would be nice not to have to send it off.

Best Regards

Matthew

I did mine with a kit too & it was straightforward, but why would it need new bearings if its been recently rebuilt? Its quite awkward to spin the rotor if the turbo is installed & you have fat fingers, so it would be good to take it off & check again. Some play in the rotor shaft is quite normal, even on a new turbo as they are floating bearings. Oil in the inlet could mean the engine is breathing more than it should, but a lot seem have this anyway without side effects.

There did seem to be a good amount of oil on the exit of the puck, so it could be originating from there. Time to try and get an mot on it and then pull it apart and see what is wrong. The turbo just seems like the most likely culprit.

Best Regards

Matthew

Run your breather into a catch tank and block the breather pipe to the turbo inlet and run the van for a few days to see how much oil collects.

What a good idea. I shall do exactly that, I feel kinda stupid for not coming up with it earlier!

Best Regards

Matthew

Only problem with that is the breather mushroom on top of the rocker cover won't open if there is no vacuum

Using the very technical and (slightly gross) test of blowing through it - mine seems open. As in no resistance at all when I blow through it. Is this wrong?

Best Regards

Matthew

Sorry, I gave you duff info. Theres a spring loaded diaphragm in the mushroom that is closed when there is suction on the pipe that leads to the turbo air inlet. It should be open usually.

Blimey you learn something new everyday !
I didn't know there was a diaphragm there !
I don't have one....

I only know because in desperation to get to the root of my oil problem I cut the old one in half I think I still have it if anyone wants a pic?

Yes send a pic bud, I have the same oil problem