What is a good way to clean up the compressor blade of an old TC?
(old means ~20 years)
Its got what looks like paint on it, but is most probably grime.
I tried a little Brake leaner with zero success.
I can’t imagine taking a wire brush or anything to it.
Eek, I am a complete turbo n00b but I know that they hold some pretty tight tolerances… you are prolly better off having it rebuilt?..yes?
Is it in good shape besides the gunk? IE: shaft play, etc…
There is some radial shaft play. A tolerance I found online somewhere was .02" max.
It’s probably close. I have yet to measure it accuratly.
If I were to pay to get it rebuild, I might as well spend a little more and get a new one.
I could also get a rebuild kit for this one for $75 or so and DIY it.
rebuilding it requires you to get the turbo balanced.
What are you looking to do with a 20 year old turbo with some gunk and shaft play?
Clean it.
I should be rebalanced after a rebuild, but it’s not 100% absolutely required.
I meant application.
If it cleans up nice, I might try and use it as a noisemaker/muffler if you know what I mean. Kind of like this idiot, but with a slightly better turn out.
If it works for a few months, it would be worth getting a new one.
the compressor is aluminum. clean it as you would an aluminum part.
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Clean it.
I should be rebalanced after a rebuild, but it’s not 100% absolutely required.
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:picard: nah you are 100% fine with not balancing something that spins close to or over 100,000 rpms
well as long as you match it up to exactly how it was before you don’t, i know plenty of people who mark the turbo, take it apart and put it back together w/o any problems, the thing most people do not realize is you put stress on the shaft by taking off the compressor with the wrong tool
[quote=“drvnkd,post:8,topic:65464"”]
If it cleans up nice, I might try and use it as a noisemaker/muffler if you know what I mean. Kind of like this idiot, but with a slightly better turn out.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/548353
If it works for a few months, it would be worth getting a new one.
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can you explain this please? i dont understand. i looked at the link and it made no sense.
:picard: x2 for using a 20y/o turbo spinning at 100k rpm
Buy a new turbo you cheap SOB.
lol I would if I had a few hundred dollars laying around.
If I can buy, fix, sell that jetta then maybe I’ll make enough money to buy
something better.
Maybe I can build my old turbocharger bits into a Lafngas DIY style coffee table and sell it as Art for a lot of money…
Radial play is ~.017" from side to side.
Would that get better or worse as it gets hot?
Truth. Just be sure to wear safety glasses.
After closer inspection, two of the blades on the compressor wheel are a little bent.
Anyone have a 60 trim comp. wheel laying around?
I may just get a new one and rebuild it then send it out for a balancing…
So you’re looking at putting ~$200 into this unit?
Buy another turbo.
HX35 would be a nice next step. T3 footprint… and can be had for slightly more then youre spending on this 40 yr old T3.
lol
Wheel, rebuild, balance and shipping would run $300.
But, $300 gets a freshly rebuild and balance T3.
Do they have a for 5-bolt flange?
Where to buy?
$300? :lol:
5 bolt flange. you’ll need FAR bigger injectors. 52#s/min @ 80% eff. 
I have NO idea of what is generally done with your application though, so take my recommendation with a few grains of salt. Talk to Choko - he’ll straighten your cav out.