Turbocharger Internal Inspection

Fig. 2 Checking turbocharger for cracked or broken compressor & turbine blades:

Fig. 3 Checking turbocharger blades for foreign material damage:

Fig. 4 Checking turbocharger blades for nicks:

Fig. 5 Checking turbocharger for bent blades:

1. Remove inlet and exhaust tubing from turbocharger.
2. Inspect compressor and turbine wheel for blade damage, Figs. 2 through 5. The compressor wheel can be inspected by looking through the compressor housing inlet opening. The turbine wheel can be inspected by looking between the turbine wheel blades from the exhaust outlet end of the turbine housing. Use a suitable light to check turbine blade tip condition.
3. Inspect compressor and turbine wheel outer blade tip edges for wheel rub.
4. Rotate shaft wheel assembly and check for wheel binding or drag. Push shaft to one side and rotate. Shaft should rotate smoothly.
5. Simultaneously push both ends of shaft up and down, and check for excessive journal bearing clearance. Bearing clearance will be normal when very little movement is detected. If a shaft having normal bearing clearance of .003-.006 inch is pushed up and down from one side only, the movement at shaft end could be indicated at .015-.020 inch.
6. If the shaft assembly rotates freely and no wheel damage, binding or rub has been detected, the turbocharger is operating properly.