This is really strange, anyone had this happen?

[antnicuk]

Well i was out mapping my car last night, did a run, it was fine, turned around did another run...... no boost, thought i had poped a pipe off. Check the engine bay, all seems fine, no oil, no smoke, no strange noises (at first) but still no boost.  Took the air filter off and the compressor wheel was solid. Ohwell i thought, the turbo has just given up the ghost......... ah, but not is all as it seems.

While nursing her back home i could hear a tinkling noise from the turbo, thought that there might be something from the turbo wrattling around.

Phoned my turbo chap and he said it sounded like i had bent the shaft.  Fairenough, i thought.... only problem is i have just ordered a T88 to fit but it isnt here yet and wont be before ten of the best!
Turbo chap said send it to him he would estimate rebuild depending on damage.  But to get it back and fitted before TOTB I would have to have it at the couriers today, so.....

I rushed home from work, whipped the turbo off ( beauty of singles) stuffed it in a box, took it to the couriers. While sitting in traffic i though i would examine it a little.  Spin the shaft and bugger me if it doesnt spin as freely as the day it was made. No play whatsoever and ultra smooth. MMMMM now i\'m confused.  I turned the turbo Comp side up and the wheel jams, i can here the same tinkling in the exhaust housing before the wheel seizes. Turn it so the turbine is up and it spins again, I can hear something rattling behind the turbine wheel and i can feel it catching, but i\'m buggered if i could see anything. The nuts on both wheels are still there and both wheels appear as new.  The engine seems to be fine.

Then i saw an ATS tyre place, popped in asked for 13mm spanner, tried to take the bolts off to whip the exhaust housing off an have a look but it wouldnt budge so in the end i sent it anyway, i just hope it isnt one of my seals rattling around behind the turbine wheel.  

any ideas anyone,   its a Garett TO4 E
Regards
Tony

[MikeLMR]

thrust bearing ?

[antnicuk]

the centre bearing feels fine, it has no play at all and spins really freely.    i will find out tomorrow what the diagnosis is.