2003 Dodge 198,000 miles. Pulled the intake side off the turbo and tried to spin the turbine wheel. It did not spin freely like i would have expected. Worked on a lot of gas turbine Helo engines and there rotors spun free. My truck feels like a rachet and stops turning as soon as my hand stops turning it. I am guessing this is not correct. Though I do not feel any excessive play nor see any scoring. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Carl

 

I am definitely not an expert, but when I installed my twins the new and old turbo both spun freely and continued to do so when I took my hand off the blades.

 

I just sent my turbo in for that, and HTT said that it was within spec. They said that there were signs that antifreeze had gotten into the oil for the turbo and had lightly scored the bearings. I do oil analysis every oil change, and I only had trace antifreeze one time, so it must not take much.


It just seemed to stop a little faster than I thought it should, didn't turn as smoothly as I thought it should.

As long as you are not having any noise or excessive turbo shaft play, you should be good. If you are worried, I know HTT does rebuilds on stock turbos pretty reasonably.

 

If it were my turbo, any noticeable drag would be too much.

They have to spin at thousands of rpm. Drag = bad.

At the very least, hook up a boost guage and see what you're getting out of it.

Chay

 

Drag also = HEAT! Not good for UH1 engines and not good for turbos.

 

Bottom line, your turbo should spin easy. Something is wrong with it if it has a lot of drag when you spin it. The easier it turns the faster it can spin.

 

I don't know where the O.P. lives or if the engine was stone cold, or if the oil was 5w40 or 15w40. If the turbo was real cold with a heavy oil if sure won't spin as freely as it will when hot.
Also he is comparing a turbine engine to a little turbo charger. The turbine engine has a lot more mas and would tend to coast better.

 

Ted you were correct the helo turbine certianly spins free and longer partially due to mass. As for your questions the engine was cold, checked it again today, no starting, just sitting in about 53 degree weather. The other day when I posted it was about 23 degrees. Anyway the turbo is spinning free but has a couple areas in the bearing that you can feel the drag. Worse is the fact that there is a fair amount of up and down play in the turbo. Can actually hear a small clunking sound. So I believe that I am in the market for some turbo work. Thoughts on replace with rebuilt original, or slight upgrade with used HE351CW? Truck is my work truck, tow boats (Sailboats) heavy. Truck is stock automatic, extended cab, eight foot bed, except for the Edge has been on since new (original owner).

 

SaylorCE, check your private messages. I sent you a diag. procedure from the factory manual. I have found that what may seem like a lot of play may be normal and the drag you are feeling may not indicate a failure. I would talk to a turbo rebuilder about the drag if it will put your mind at ease. As long as it doesn't make abnormal noise when driving, or burn oil, and the wheels aren't rubbing, I'd run it.

 

Thanks for the info, as you said the info is for a 2006. I know that the 03 and 06 use a holset turbo but they are different models. The 03 is a HE341 and the 04.5 and up is the HE351. I am getting conflicting info some say run it if it is not leaking, others say change it. I am a little troubled by it, don't want pieces sucked into engine or cooler. Right now am looking into minimum a rebuild. Thanks for the comments, keep them coming.

By the way I am looking at gauges right now. I believe they will give me a better picture of whats going on, though I do not have a base line to help. Should have put the gauges on about 198,000 mile ago