Turbo Play
 

1984 300D

I pulled the air intake off the turbo and discovered that I can grab the end of the turbo shaft and wiggle it. The car is down on power, but I believe that the turbo still does function to some limited degree.

What of the ramifications of the wiggle room? Turbo rebuild, possibility of metaly bits getting fired into the engine?

You can move it probably 1/16 of an inch in all directions I would say.

I'm no exprest but I wouldn't worry about it too much until there is perceptible in-and-out play and obvious signs oil is leaking past the turbine seals into the intake manifold or out the exhaust (continuous smoke under load).

Sixto
87 300D

axial play is what complicates a rebuild. Wiggling perpendicular to the shaft is rebuildable; but if it gets too bad, like you said - metaly bits.

Which, knowing the intake manifolds on these engines, would probably get enlodged in the devil's food cake (sludge)

it a slowwwww process.

I do not remember if I can push the shaft in and out, I will go check immediately. But you are saying that this means that the turbo does need a rebuild correct?

With 1/16" of play in either direction the compressor wheel should be very close to, if not contacting the sides of the compressor housing. If this happens the rebuild will get quite a bit more expensive and bits of aluminum begin to be blown into you engine so I would not let it go any farther. Try twisting the shaft as you wiggle it to see if it rubs.

The shaft does not move in and out, and the travel is more like 1/16th of an inch or so total from side to side, not in each direction.

Am now heading out to see if I can feel a connection between the compressor wheel and housing, which means I will be eating my popcorn with extra sooty fingers.

I can not detect any connection between wheel and housing, seems to rotate smooth.

That's good. It sounds like it is time to start thinking about a rebuild. There are kits for sale on ebay to rebuild these turbos. I have not used them, but others on the forum have with success I think. If you are looking to modify the car now would be a good time to swap to a VGT or holset HX30.