Turbo Whine?

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

Noticed a high pitched squeal/whine this morning. It went away after warming up a bit. This evening I hopped back in the Jeep and noticed the squeal was louder and lasted longer, even after warming up. This video features the noise about 30 miles after I first noticed it this morning.

https://youtu.be/8kFeRvKOngo

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

I did some investigation. The compressor shaft moves about 1/16" axially and maybe .010" laterally. I didn't notice any scoring on the compressor side. I did find that the turbo inlet hose is torn where it clamps onto the turbo. There is not telling how much crap it has ingested since it found a shortcut around the air filter.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2015 12:21 am

I think you have found the problem.
Its very common for that hose to rot and develop a leak.

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

I used this as a guideline http://www.turbomaster.info/eng/downloads/catalog_06_data.pdf. It doesn't have the VNT's listed, but it was the only concrete source I could find.

Based on the above source, the radial bearing tolerance is probably okay, but the axial play is not. I can't really get a dial indicator on it, but I can tell that it is over 0.010". That would mean that the thrust bearing is bad.

Seems like I have a dead/dying turbo. That was my first thought when I heard that noise, but I was in denial. I just spent $2k in parts on this thing, I really don't want to spend another $1200.

Jay ne Ohio · **Joined:** Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:49 pm **Posts:** 216

My khaki crd had a turbo whine for about 6 months before the turbo finally blew. Most of the time, it is within 5 miles of home.... however it chose to blow when 100 miles from home. Had to trailer it home. I put on a rebuilt turbo for around $600 and it has been fine for several years and many miles. I know that many guys on here will NOT recommend a rebuilt (Garrett says they can't be rebuilt), but my experience has been good.

You can go new for $1200. New China knockoff for about $700. Rebuilt for $600. Or used for $????? GDE might also still offer their upgraded high HP turbo kit for around $2500.

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

How does the whine in my video compare to the whine yours experienced?

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:53 pm

Jsw84 (can't remember his whole name) had a good used one for sale. I can find his full name if you're interested.

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2015 10:14 pm

Mountainman wrote:

Jsw84 (can't remember his whole name) had a good used one for sale. I can find his full name if you're interested.

So Close nick. Lol

But yeah, I have one with no shaft play either way. But I would replace your intake tube first and go from there

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2015 11:03 pm

Jay ne Ohio · **Joined:** Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:49 pm **Posts:** 216

Brasher wrote:

How does the whine in my video compare to the whine yours experienced?

It's hard to tell. Could be an air leak (hose or intercooler). I made up a plug from a pvc pipe end to test for leaks. Drilled a hole in it and inserted a valve stem. Add air with an air hose and listen for leaks.

Here is a picture of my turbo after it self destructed:

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

Ordered a replacement turbo and new inlet hose. I'll make the repair, sell it, and purchase a 4th Gen 4Runner.

That is, unless someone here can convince me that I can get over 600K miles out of a CRD engine and transmission.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Wed Dec 02, 2015 6:26 pm

Brasher wrote:

Ordered a replacement turbo and new inlet hose. I'll make the repair, sell it, and purchase a 4th Gen 4Runner.

That is, unless someone here can convince me that I can get over 600K miles out of a CRD engine and transmission.

Just dont put a new turbo back in and you could def make 600k miles. No turbo to fail again and half the stress on the engine.

I've seen a video where they use a leaf blower to supercharge a honda civic. Thats another option.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 02, 2015 6:40 pm

Anything that spins rapidly and gets hot has the potential to wear out quickly. This is why proper turbo cool down time is important.

Personally, based on your descriptions, I dont think your turbo is bad.
But I'm not there to actually put my hands on it to see.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Wed Dec 02, 2015 10:35 pm

I agree with flash. I don't think your turbo is bad. I'd bet that sound is from the rip in your inlet hose. I'd change the hose and see how it sounds before dropping $$$ on a new turbo.

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

That was already the plan, but I don't think it is the case. I rocked the hose back and forth at the turbo inlet while the engine was running and revving. The sound was independent of my rocking, as in present and not present when the gap was both large and "sealed". The sound seemed to get into "modes".

I ordered the used turbo so I can get this back on the road ASAP. I should be able to sell it for the same price I paid if it isn't needed.

Also, I contacted Garrett for the actual radial and axial shaft tolerances. We'll see if they get back to me.

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

Just to close this out. I replaced the turbo. Sound is gone and the new turbo makes less "turbo" noise in general. I measured the old turbo's radial and axial play. Radially there was about .007" using feeler gauges. Axially I measured around .011" using a dial indicator (not as much as I thought it was). There wasn't any visual wear on the compressor, turbine, or housing (probably because I identified the sound early). Oh, and the inlet and outlet oil tubes looked clean.

I didn't measure the new turbo, but I could not feel any play in either direction.

I also replaced the torn inlet hose.

Turbo Whine?

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