New KC300x issue
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,355
Likes: 5,951
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
@Brooklynh87 , as ESwift said above, stay in communication with KC Turbos. They are good people to deal with. His staff and team will be able to get you sorted out in short order.
That said, I would send them the picture you have posted via email with an annotation with specific questions regarding the blue line and if it in the orientation it left their shop or in a different orientation. If it is different, the wheel and assembly may be off balance which could lead to a catastrophic failure down the road.
Everything may be just fine, but a turbo center assembly is something I would be 100% sure of before running.
Keep us updated as we are interested in seeing what happens and in finding you a solution that gets you back on the road with confidence.
That said, I would send them the picture you have posted via email with an annotation with specific questions regarding the blue line and if it in the orientation it left their shop or in a different orientation. If it is different, the wheel and assembly may be off balance which could lead to a catastrophic failure down the road.
Everything may be just fine, but a turbo center assembly is something I would be 100% sure of before running.
Keep us updated as we are interested in seeing what happens and in finding you a solution that gets you back on the road with confidence.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,344
Likes: 6,132
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,864
Likes: 2,336
From: WV
I don’t want to speculate too much before the expert gets here and end up sounding like a baboon…
But, I will anyhow. All the compressor wheels I’ve seen (just a few) have the nuts as part of the wheel, not separate. So let’s see what Charlie says but I’ll be surprised if it’s separate.
I do want to go a bit further about the theory of debris stopping the compressor since Y2KW57 made me think a little deeper.
The turbine should be trying to turn the shaft in a manner to tighten the compressor nut rather than loosen it (in my mind anyhow).
This leads to a point though, I would think the force of the turbine would have moved the nut if the debris theory was valid. The marks look perfect (nut to shaft) so I may no longer suspect the theory presented previously.
But, I will anyhow. All the compressor wheels I’ve seen (just a few) have the nuts as part of the wheel, not separate. So let’s see what Charlie says but I’ll be surprised if it’s separate.
I do want to go a bit further about the theory of debris stopping the compressor since Y2KW57 made me think a little deeper.
The turbine should be trying to turn the shaft in a manner to tighten the compressor nut rather than loosen it (in my mind anyhow).
This leads to a point though, I would think the force of the turbine would have moved the nut if the debris theory was valid. The marks look perfect (nut to shaft) so I may no longer suspect the theory presented previously.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I went and looked at compressor wheels for sale and every last one of them listed had the nut as part of the whole unit, not separate. So I'm going to assume that this one is no different.
CNCFAB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 2,006
I messaged Charlie for an answer.
* Answer: It is a single integrated unit
CNCFAB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 2,006
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 394
Likes: 575
Sorry, I wrote up and responded to this thread yesterday and I somehow posted it in the thread "below" this one... I guess I scrolled down too far. Here is a copy and paste.
Thanks for the tag. Chris reached out to us Sunday afternoon and we have been in touch via email and phone.
If there is any resistance when spinning then it needs to come off and be inspected. It does not look like it is rubbing the cover or that there is bearing damage causing excess play. But it can be hard to tell from pictures. It’s possible something went through the turbo and got jammed in between the turbine wheel and heat shields… I have seen bolts, rust, carbon junks, etc. I have seen stuff get jammed in there, and cause minimal damage... but I have also seen where it had enough side load to create damage to the bearings even after the debris is removed that can shorten the life of the turbo.
It could have also been some debris on the oil side of the turbo that was jammed in the bearings somewhere and worked free.
Another theory is if the turbo was not pre-lubed I have seen scoring on the bearings that creates resistance.
It honestly could be some sort of manufacturing defect, but for it to be jammed like that and then now spin freely sounds more like debris of some sort jammed in the turbine or compressor wheel.
Either way, we are working with Chris to get him another unit sent out. He has been very patient and understanding when it came to all diag questions and the process to switch out turbos. He had an RMA and shipping label Monday.
To answer some previous questions. The blue mark on the shaft and nut of the comp wheel are to line up during assembly. We makes those marks during assembly while balancing.
The marks on the blade play different parts... one is for orientation with the bearing stack and turbine wheel during assembly. But also it is a much more obvious mark to show the turbo has been balanced and easily identifiable. I guess you could say it is also cosmetic... at one time we each used our own color markers to know who built each turbo, but that is now stored in the serial number.
Thanks for the tag. Chris reached out to us Sunday afternoon and we have been in touch via email and phone.
If there is any resistance when spinning then it needs to come off and be inspected. It does not look like it is rubbing the cover or that there is bearing damage causing excess play. But it can be hard to tell from pictures. It’s possible something went through the turbo and got jammed in between the turbine wheel and heat shields… I have seen bolts, rust, carbon junks, etc. I have seen stuff get jammed in there, and cause minimal damage... but I have also seen where it had enough side load to create damage to the bearings even after the debris is removed that can shorten the life of the turbo.
It could have also been some debris on the oil side of the turbo that was jammed in the bearings somewhere and worked free.
Another theory is if the turbo was not pre-lubed I have seen scoring on the bearings that creates resistance.
It honestly could be some sort of manufacturing defect, but for it to be jammed like that and then now spin freely sounds more like debris of some sort jammed in the turbine or compressor wheel.
Either way, we are working with Chris to get him another unit sent out. He has been very patient and understanding when it came to all diag questions and the process to switch out turbos. He had an RMA and shipping label Monday.
To answer some previous questions. The blue mark on the shaft and nut of the comp wheel are to line up during assembly. We makes those marks during assembly while balancing.
The marks on the blade play different parts... one is for orientation with the bearing stack and turbine wheel during assembly. But also it is a much more obvious mark to show the turbo has been balanced and easily identifiable. I guess you could say it is also cosmetic... at one time we each used our own color markers to know who built each turbo, but that is now stored in the serial number.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,210
Likes: 2,665
From: GA
He mentioned having to cut a bolt to get old turbo out, I'm wondering if some sort of debris got in the oil supply and worked its way into the thrust bearing and kept the shaft
This was mine out of the box
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 16
From: NY
I know I'm late and sorry for not responding sooner. For some reason I don't get notifications when comments are added to this post. I happened to come back to it today and saw all the comments after my previous one.
As Charlie already mentioned KC took care of it right away. Charlie and Chris immediately sent me a new one and I sent the old one back. They were very accommodating and took a ton of weight off my shoulders. I want to thank them again for helping me out with this issue!
As Charlie already mentioned KC took care of it right away. Charlie and Chris immediately sent me a new one and I sent the old one back. They were very accommodating and took a ton of weight off my shoulders. I want to thank them again for helping me out with this issue!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
eric777
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Jul 18, 2006 11:32 PM