Hey guys... I hate to start another thread, but I might have a possible issue. So I just bought a used VF39. I am pretty excited, as this FINALLY means I getting nearer to completing my long awaited turbo upgrade. The guy I bought it off of was really nice, and I got a good deal. He's just had it sitting around for quite awhile, but he said when it was last used it ran very well, and was taken off for a turbo upgrade. It looks great- it doesn't even have the infamous wastegate crack. When I saw that it had no crack, I was enthused, and soon found myself even happier when I noticed that it had absolutely no play in and out. But then arises the problem. In my excitement, I was just like "alright!" and moved on to pay for it. Then I got home and examined it a little more closely. I just remembered I forgot to check for side to side play. Crap. I wiggle it, and I can feel a slight amount.... nothing that seems out of the ordinary, as there is obviously no oil moving through the center of the cartridge. But then I noticed that, if I push on the shaft using moderate pressure with my figertips, it moves moves enough so that the blades barely make contact with the sides. SHIT. So tell me.... did I just get hosed, or is this acceptable.... perhaps an issue that is not a problem when it's spinning and has oil going over the bearings? Eh... Considering how happy I was five minutes ago, I'm not a happy camper at the moment.
I'd say the turbo was fine up until the point you put enough "moderate" pressure to make it touch the housing. A little play is normal so I wouldn't worry too much. Just throw it on and see.
You all are probably right. I used to works on diesel trucks, and obviously the tolerances expected from the turbos on those things are a little bit broader.... the fact that I could make it "whisper" as it spins using the tip of my finger just scared me a little at first. On a big Garrett it would probably take ten pounds of force to make that happen. If it's bad, I would be highly surprised if it was anything the seller knowingly did. I've been working with cars and truck of all sorts long enough to know that sometimes stuff just happens. Once again, thanks for the input. I'll get it checked out, and if it's bad, so be it. I got a really good deal, so it's not the end of the world. It would just be a shame if it was.... the casing on both sides looks fantastic. We'll see.
hey Matt has a good point if you got a good deal send it to deadbolt and have it ported coated and clipped and it will make sick power.
That's the first thing I thought, but technically, aren't all of the VF series turbos "non rebuildable?" (Of course, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.... I realize I haven't even determined it's bad yet.)