Turbo Impellor let go. What are the turbo options?

[Floydo]

Hi Guys

Turbo Impellor let go last thursday before heading away for Easter.

Bit of alloy damage around head not to bad, decided to get it rebuilt.

Had 150k on it, supposely not bad for these turbos.

Question Nissan quote just under $2k for the new turbo. What are the turbo

options available? that people are using.

Might fit an intercooler next time to catch the pieces.

Thanks

 

[RustyNav09]

Lots aftermarket items available for these cars. They are a Hitachi turbo and only cost $500isg new. Get it high flowed and stick it back in.

 

[Milkman]

what the....

how often does this happen, I have an 03 d22 with 112km on the clock, is this worth changing before it lets go?
Have fitten a water to air intercooler, chip, 3in exhaust, running a few gauges to keep an eye on things, hate to be out on a trip and have the standard turbo let go

 

[Dave]

I have heard of it before but not constantly.

I have 250,000km's on my ZD30 and still have the original turbo on it.

 

[Old.Tony]

It depends on how the turbocharger is treated. A lot of people don't even consider it and some car dealers wouldn't think to tell you about it.

Basically the turbocharger is driven by the super-hot exhaust, so the turbocharger gets super-hot too. The turbine and impeller are mounted on a bearing-mounted shaft. The bearings are fed pressurised engine oil which is returned to the sump of the engine.

When the engine stops, oil flow stops, and if the turbo is still too hot, the oil in the bearings is heated up to the point where it burns. It forms a varnish on the inner surface of the bearings and that causes the bearings to fail - which makes the turbocharger impeller touch the housing and break apart.

To avoid the problem, you can:

1) Always plan your drive, so that the last 2-3 minutes of your drive are done sedately. Hard to do if you're going home to the top of the hill with your caravan or boat attached, for that see 2 or 3.

2) Always be aware of how much you've been asking of your engine and if the recent (last 2-3 minutes of driving) driving has been harsh, sit in the car and idle the motor for 1-2 minutes, or a little longer if it's been particularly hard.

3) Get a turbo timer and USE it. If you're not towing or carrying anything heavy or driving hard, 1 minute should be enough. Make it 2 minutes if you're doing medium work and 3 minutes if you're pushing it really hard with a load (eg towing a 24' van up Mt Ousley and stopping for a cuppa at the top).

This was the subject of the first FAQ that I've written and posted to this site. Link is in my sig.

 

[Milkman]

Yet again some good advice, Thanks Guy's

 

[dan-0]

My mechanic who is a Nissan Patrol specialist (races a turbo 4.8 Patrol!!) told me to change the ZD30 turbo at 150,000 for safe keeping.

 

[flatout]

I got my turbo rebuilt with a billet front wheel @ 120000kms before if failed.

Was about $1200 from memory which is cheap insurance against this common failure.

 

[Milkman]

I would rather spend $1200 than the cost of a rebuild engine, can anyone recommend a good turbo specialist, does not seem to be many here in Rockhampton. (that I know of)

 

[flatout]

Mike Vine Turbos in Brisbane does the billet front wheel upgrade.

 

[joffo81]

Hi flatout,
Can you please explain to me what the 'billet front wheel upgrade' involves. What are the advantages of it? Does it improve turbo performance/capability or just strength/longevity?

Like yours, my turbo seems fine at 133 000kms but i would hate to see it spit the dummy! Did you deal with Mike Vine through the post or do you live in Brisbane and drop off locally? What was turn around time on completed work?

I realise that's alot of questions but any info would be great.
Cheers
Joffo

 

[Milkman]

waiting on a call back from Mike Vine he seems to be the person to talk to about this stuff, check out the web site www.mikevineturbochargers.com.au
I have read on other forams & he has been highly recommened. not sure if I will go with a compelet turbo change or just improve the standard just comes down to cost$

 

[Milkman]

Got the phone call back from Mike Vine......$4000, full replacement turbo and dyno, 56% increase torque & 36% power (kw) when I think about it all that with the allready fitted taipan exhaust, taipan water to air intercooler, tunit chip & the egr mod that would be some major power figures

 

[flatout]

Billet front wheel doesn't provide any extra performance. It is a reliability upgrade to the standard cast front wheel which is known to fail and damage the engine if it doesn't have an intercooler.

Mine wasn't done through Mike Vine but I know others who have and were very happy.

 

[joffo81]

Thanks for the info fellas. I def don't have a spare 4 grand lying around but the performance would be great! I might start saving for the billet wheel upgrade!