Turbo oil seals
Turbo Mini Forums

looking at buying a mini with a turbo engine, i've been told it's a bit smokey and that the turbo oil seals are to blame. does this sound right? how hard are they to replace?

Thanks a lot
Calum

turbo rebuild kit is about ?50 from Turbo Dave on here, smiking doesn't always mean turbo, look at some of the past posts on here, it could be anything from worn bores/rings to stem seals or just needing the correct grade of oil

Speedster turbo under construction

ye, i'm a bit unsure of how the guys come to the conclusion that it's the turbo seals. Is a turbo rebuild a hard thing to do, i've done things like cam changes but i've never even set eyes on a turbo.

Thanks
Calum

If you see it running at tickover, lift the rocker cap and see how many fumes are coming from there. If just a few wisps, that's ok, but a fair amount of vapours does suggest a goosed engine...
Prob best you get a re-conditioned turbo methinks...

A rebuild kit is from Iain not TD :)

But unless you are very happy with stripping and rebuilding turbos I would suggest getting a recon turbo.

Alex

AlexF

Yep, i do the rebuild kits. Mine seems ok so far, havent really tested it though. Its quite simple really, just be careful with the balance thing.

I thought that i may aswell give it a go. No harm done!

If it doesnt work then it should be a cheaper rebuild as the hardest bit is getting everything apart when its been running hot for so long.

he does say it's only very slightly smoky, i've not seen the car yet though, just wanting to check what i might be getting into.

how expensive would a recon turbo be? roughly?

Thanks
Calum

their something like ?350 from turbo technics i think
DAN :)

and about ?200+ from AET for just bearings and seals.