Turbo rebuild.

dntlkbak · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:53 am

After looking for a replacement turbo and only finding offshore turbo's on Ebay for $500 or more and new Garretts for over $1000, I finally came upon a turbo business that rebuilds these turbo's on our Liberty's. I called them and talked with them, there only business is building & rebuilding turbos for all industries and brands one of there specialties is Garrett. I sent mine to them on a courier and they did an inspection then called me to let me know what they found, mine had a leaking compressor seal & some scoring on the bearings from hot shutdowns. I had them rebuild it, they installed new bearings, seals, cleaned it and balanced for just under $400 and comes with a year warranty. They also do inspections as well to see if you actually need a rebuild. They are called Alamo Industries Ltd, They have shops in Edmonton, Calgary and a shop in Seattle. Check out there website.

Hexus · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:22 am

Well - If anyone from the states shipped to Calgary they would have to deal with Customs and it might delay the shipment by weeks.

I guess it's nice they have a shop in Seattle.

Garrett does not rebuild this turbo, nor do they recommend the rebuilding of this turbo. I guess it's nice that they have a 1 year warranty, but just go ahead and color me a little concerned and unbelieving, besides, every time your turbo goes down, warranty or not, you're out of a vehicle.

ibedonc · **Joined:** Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:40 pm **Posts:** 236

does that warranty cover your engine when that rebuilt turbo takes out your engine ?

dntlkbak · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 6:47 pm

Most turbos are able to be rebuilt, if they come apart and have serviceable parts they can be rebuilt, Garrett, Borg Warner, Holset all have parts readily available to rebuild, of course they don't recommend it because they want to sell you a new one, those manufacturers don't rebuild turbos they only sell new ones, you have to send it to one of their dealers or distributors who usually have technicians that do rebuilds on them. When they are rebuilt they are made to be within OEM specs, I've seen many Large trucks, Agricultural equipment and consumer vehicles that have had reman turbos with no issues, I for one have no problem with it as long as it is done by a reputable business. As for taking out your engine, well that is quite unlikely as for any foreign material to get into the intake manifold would have to pass through the intercooler which is very unlikely, and if you do happen to get it in there after an abrupt mechanical explosion , tons of smoke and virtually no power and you continue to drive it until it does doo doo the bed, then you probably deserve it. I've actually driven large trucks and had a turbo failure, and when it happens you will know it. Now in all fairness some older equipment and non intercooled diesels, the turbo dumps directly into the intake and this could be a problem with a turbo that breaks apart, however our Libertys have very small cooling passages in the intercooler and it would be very hard for debris to get through it. As for an oil seal blowing, you will know it from all the smoke behind you and you will still have time to pull over and shutdown, your turbo will probably be pooched, but your engine will not go out that fast.

Hexus · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:08 pm

If the turbo fails and sucks all the oil out of your bottom end (It's happened to folks on this very board) it doesn't take very long to wreck your engine sir.

MM53 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:13 am

Thanks for sharing the more options we have the better we are.I also believe you can rebuild most things. I will be looking in to this with much interest

ibedonc · **Joined:** Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:40 pm **Posts:** 236

dntlkbak wrote:

As for an oil seal blowing, you will know it from all the smoke behind you and you will still have time to pull over and shutdown, your turbo will probably be pooched, but your engine will not go out that fast.

that happened on our 05 and it sized the engine within a 1/4 mile

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:02 am

ibedonc wrote:

dntlkbak wrote:

As for an oil seal blowing, you will know it from all the smoke behind you and you will still have time to pull over and shutdown, your turbo will probably be pooched, but your engine will not go out that fast.

that happened on our 05 and it sized the engine within a 1/4 mile

Mine too - within 30 seconds of the turbo failing, over a gallon of oil was gone from the engine and the bottom end was critically damaged. The engine demolished the #1 cylinder after the rod broke and beat the piston and cylinder liner to shrapnel, then it punched out the oil pan to finish the job.

The ONLY chance you have is to shift to neutral and instantly cut the engine before you even think about aiming for the side of the road. Waiting until you stop will doom your engine.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:48 am

As grandpa used to say, "Don't trip over dollars to pick up dimes."

thermorex · **Posted:** Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:59 pm

I also think the crd turbo can be rebuilt. But the problem I'd have is who can be trusted to rebuilt the turbo? Plus adjusting the vanes. In my opinion, pay 11-ish hundred and have peace of mind. Not worth to incapacitate the vehicle, or worse, destroy the engine if somebody messed up the rebuilt, or balance, or seals, etc...

Mountainman · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2015 3:09 pm

hmm, yeah, 2X [sounds like a good idea IF they somehow cover a smoked engine with the warranty]

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:20 pm

My

1. anything can be rebuilt for enough $s
2. Garrett does factory rebuilds on some turbos but not the OEM CRD one
3. why not? Good question but my personal bet is the market is not worth Garrett's investment
4. yes Garrett apparently does not "recommend" a rebuild but then why would they
5. would I buy a "new" turbo for my CRD in the $600-700 range. Not on a bet.
6. would I consider a rebuilt turbo from a well respected rebuild shop with a good warranty. Maybe but then I've got a GDE Stage II turbo so my problem is different.
7. any turbo on any vehicle can fail. Manner of failure can maybe destroy engine if engine is not shut down NOW - for example catastrophic failure of CRD turbo sleeve bearing, as geordi notes, can starve lower end of oil in seconds or less.
8. how to minimize chance of turbo failure - quality oil, regular oil change, don't over stress your turbo (heh it's a Jeep not a race car), minimize soot, and the biggy that none of us are likely to do which is check turbo impeller shaft play at every oil change. ADDED - allow time for turbo to cool down per Owner's Manual especially after highway driving in hot weather.

jdr · **Joined:** Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:54 am **Posts:** 24

How many miles can I expect from the turbo? I've got 190,000m on it now with no serious problems. Well... I guess the tranny sucked a needle bearing at about 90,000.

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 12:40 am

granny? Huh?

The only needle bearings I know of are in the rockers. There are no bearings as such in the turbo, it is a solid brass tube with an oil cushion between the center shaft and the brass tube, and very tight machine tolerances that keeps it all together.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 1:30 pm

For how many miles see my #8 comment. I know that's not a direct answer and I doubt you can get one although you might be able to find a "design life" answer which is a guess as so many factors can cut turbo life short or make it long. With care I'd be surprised to see a failure before say 250,000 miles (my 93 Dodge Cummins was fine at 140,000 when my son sold it) but wrong oil and no cool down could kill one well under 100,000 miles.

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:36 pm

The turbo on my TDI is running just fine at nearly 340k miles, but that one isn't operated quite as close to the operational limits as the CRD has the turbo programmed. Don't let it spike above 22psi, b/c when it gets to 26, then you are right at the limit of what the turbo can survive.

Don't operate the turbo with cold oil or on a brutally cold day without letting the engine idle for at least 30 seconds before leaving. The survival of your engine may be the thing you save, because that is what took out my turbo, which then promptly destroyed my engine with oil starvation in less than 30 seconds!

thermorex · **Posted:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:07 pm

I think ecm will cut the vacuum over 25-ish psi. If I hammer it, I get about 25-ish psi boost, then right after drops to 20-ish. Turbo cool down is probably the most important factor, with good quality oil and proper oil changes. And yea, delete that egr asap...

jdr · **Joined:** Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:54 am **Posts:** 24

Sorry... tranny, not granny. Stupid little keypad on the phone...
I corrected the post.

jdr · **Joined:** Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:54 am **Posts:** 24

Any input on the GDE turbo as a comparison/alternative to a rebuild or new stock turbo? Pros/cons? (besides price).

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:59 am

The GDE turbo is a little bit of work to install.
It uses a different exhaust down pipe that will need to be welded in.
It also uses a electronic vane actuator instead of vacuum.
All necessary parts are included, including a custom GDE performance tune.
GDE website has all the details and instructions.

Turbo rebuild.

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