I'm looking to buy a rebuild kit for the turbo on my engine. Will this kit work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T3-T4-T04E-T04B-TURBOCHARGER-TURBO-REPAIR-REBUILD-KIT-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3359288425QQitemZ220539159589QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

I've seen a few sold on turbo specific websites linked in the turbo rebuild posts here, and they are around $100 for the kit. Can I really get away with buying the kit for $30 off ebay? If so that bumps up when I rebuild the turbo. I can afford $30

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While I'm personally frightened by the idea of rebuilding something that spins at thousands of RPM with a $30 kit off ebay, If you do decide to go with that kit make sure you get one with the correct oil seal.

The picture shows the dynamic seal (Its the metal cylinder in the lower left of the picture). This type of seal is most common in the T3/T4 turbo but the 4 piece carbon seal is also used in some models. When I rebuilt my turbo I ordered the dynamic seal on the advice of the company only to find the 4 piece carbon seal in my turbo.

Make sure to order the correct type using the serial number on the turbo. There is NO way to determine the seal type based on the year/model of your car.

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Serenity-86' 300SDL 482,000 miles (on a "14" head!)

There is a couple of threads on this subject. One of the eBay sellers is recommended. If you buy your kit from him you can send your Turbine and Compressore wheels to him and he will clean and balance them at a resonable price.
On some Turbos the all of the rotating parts are balanced as an assembly.
On others or by request you can have them balanced individually.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

when I contacted rons turbo shop in utah (the one mentioned by diesel911) about a T3 kit ,he told me I needed something other than what was listed on ebay.

that kit looks very similar to the one I used, but some of the clamps are different... I would be certain to contact the seller about your turbo first and make sure their less-than-stellar rating has nothing to do with bad applications of this kit.

You can avoid balancing by making marks that locate your impeller nut... but maybe the reason that your turbo wore out is partly due to its unbalanced shaft?

this can certainly happen as impeller blades accumulate little nicks and general wear.

Personally, I think you are farther ahead by spending the extra $$ to buy from an american, on american soil, with an american phone number and business listing, using american parts....

and getting your shaft balanced / cleaned / inspected.

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Kinda old but still good reading:

Rebuilding Turbo

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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Do lots of research; while I can't address your question specific to MB turbos, I know that the $30 kits are strongly discouraged among the Saab crowd. The seals and bearings vary widely in quality, and there are many reports of premature failures after using the cheap kits.

It was smart to ask on the forum here; you should get a good feel for what to use by the tone of the replies. Good luck!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Thanks for the replies.

I'm working on my "new" engine which has a bad turbo. I haven't checked the turbo on the engine in my car, it works fine but I haven't taken it off the car in a long time. so I have now idea of its actual condition. I know the engine in my car has over 400k on it. so I figured I'd better start doing my research on the turbo rebuild now, because I will need to do it soon.

djustin973, if the only way to determine the seal type is to take it apart, maybe I will pull apart my known bad turbo and take some pics. I'm thinking if I can get the parts at a reasonable price and I can get one of the turbos rebuilt I might as well rebuild the second one.

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Most find the least expensive way out is to get a used Turbo from the Junk Yard.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

someone called "I love taco taco" who put the following line in the listing...

NOTE: All of turbo parts and accessories do need to modification in order to fits perfectly. Otherwise we will list ABOVE.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!