Turbo Seal Question

[JustinP]

I have an OP6 turbo which I pulled off my R34 over five years ago. The turbo was working fine when I removed it, had done ninety odd thousand k's, and everything looked to be in great condition.

I decided to sell it so I could clear up some space so I pulled it out of storage and the noticed the compressor wheel did not spin very freely (I remembered it did when I pulled it off). Given there would be no oil in the bearings after all these years I ran some oil through it and sure enough the compressor wheel again span really freely.

So all good but then I noticed a tiny bit of oil dripping out from both the compressor and turbine sides. I took the front cover off and it did appear that a bit of oil was coming from under the compressor wheel. I assume this is coming through the oil seals?

Could the seals have dried out after all these years? I thought they would be a metal seal so I can't see how.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Justin

[scotty nm35]

They are like a piston ring, the spinning shaft is what seals it, and the fact gravity will drain the oil to the lowest point.

[JustinP]

Thanks, that would explain it

They are like a piston ring, the spinning shaft is what seals it, and the fact gravity will drain the oil to the lowest point.