Ok my 2001 f250 7.3 with 232k miles is making a weird noise that I believe is coming from the turbo. I know its not turbo surge because I get turbo surge in my 02 7.3 when towing heavy sometimes. The noise is constant and is while driving and accelerating but quites when I let off the pedal it sounds like a rattlesnake and gets quicker and more violent whith higher rpms. I imagine the shafts has play and the blades are scraping the housing. I havent checked the turbo shaft for play yet. How much play is ok? The only thing done to it is muffler and cat removed and 6 inch tip. No chips or intakes.

 

boost leaks can be quite an alarming sound too. However to me they sound more like a muffled Kazoo than a rattle!!! You will get lots of good help on here, so Welcome, and good luck

 

Side to side play is ok if it doesn't hit the housing. Any in/out play is bad and you should probably rebuild the turbo.

 

Geez, I thought it was the other way around…Sure glad I just ordered a new 38r from Riff Raff

 

Lol the turbo rebuild is easy and alot cheaper than that 38r..thats still on my wishlist

 

Rebuilding as in changing out the turbo cartridge? if so how do i tell if the blades caused any damage to the housing if that is the problem in the first place? would this cartridge work Garrett 99-03 GTP-38 Turbo Center Cartridge - Riffraff Diesel Performance ? i would like to just replace the whole turbo with the GTP38R but money doesn't allow that right now.

 

On the same website there is a turbo rebuild kit for cheaper than the cartridge. You just replace the bearings and other internals.

I think you only need the cartridge if the turbine shaft is wore out or the exhaust side fan is busted. My turbo shift and exhaust fan were fine at 174k when I rebuilt it.

 

is that harder than changing out the cartridge? I've replace turbos before but never taken them apart but they seem pretty straight forward. I'll be replacing the oil cooler gaskets and O-rings tomorrow so after that ill get down to the turbo shaft to check for play. if there isn't any play what else would i be looking for?

 

It's the same amount of work honestly. You have to take it completely apart and put it back together. The only difference is if you do the cartridge you replace the turbine shaft/exhaust fan and if you do the rebuild kit you don't.

As far as causes of surge.. Not super sure but I think it has something to do with an off balance of pressures between the intake and exhaust side of the turbo. I added an after market compressor fan that solved my surge problem. Don't ask me the science of it though cause I'm clueless lol

 

Alright. And if the blades are hittin the turbo housing how much damage is too much and would require me to replace the housing?

 

I wouldn't worry about the housing so much. It's just an indication that the journal bearings are wore out. Replace the bearings and reuse the housing. I would anyway.

 

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Would any local auto stores like autozone carry rebuild kits? i hate waiting for parts.

 

I doubt it. Riffraff ships fast though.

 

I made an order saturday morning and was shipped by sat afternoon…..after that it's up to the shipping you paid for…usually 3 days is all I've waited…