I was changing my oil yesterday and I always remove the air filter housing that goes to the turbo to get to the oil filter.I inspected th turbo fins and they were normal but there was some play in it when i grabbed the center bolt Does this sound normal???

 

Haven't looked at mine in a long time but I don't remember it having any play. Maybe someone with a little more knowledge can chime in here but I would get it checked out. That could be catastrophic if it was to come loose.

 

There should be a small amount of play.

 

some play is normal, as long as the wheel has not touched down. If there is no marks on the housing or the wheel tips dont look like they have touched, Let her eat

 

You have to have clearance in between the shaft and shaft bearings, so when you feel the cold wheel having a little slop, thats ok, it all goes away with oil pressure. What you start looking for in turbo wear is excessive thrust. If you suspect a turbo, grab the cold wheel evenly and try to move it in and out. Of course, DON'T try to do this with the engine running!!!.. Believe it or not, i've seen the aftermath of more that one person thinking they could stop a turbo from spinning with the engine idling. The result is always the same, the turbo wins EVERY time.

 

They are rite I have built turbo and they do have clearance it is for the oil in the bearings as long as it is not exsesive and not hitting the compresor houseing you are good There is a spec. for it in a cummins service manual it is call radial clearancs
Hope that help

 

It is a Turbo; it is driven by exhaust gasses that are hot. Hot=metal expansion so it has to have some clearance.