Buying Used Turbo

[outoforder]

My current turbo has 310,000 miles on it and it starting to leak some oil. I am considering replacing it but am currently in a money crunch. I can buy a used Garett turbo with 196,000 miles on it and save several hundred dollars. Thoughts?

 

[Windex]

Are you a gambling man?

Vetting a used turbo is a gamble for even a skilled individual who is used to checking impeller play and VNT vane operation.

You want zero axial (thrust) play, and very slight to no radial play.

 

[outoforder]

Are you a gambling man?

Vetting a used turbo is a gamble for even a skilled individual who is used to checking impeller play and VNT vane operation.

You want zero axial (thrust) play, and very slight to no radial play.

I am anything but, however a slight bout of desperation has me considering it. My other option is to select from two turbos on rockauto

Rotomaster: $484
MAHLE: $694

With the rotomaster being significantly less, I feel like its quality is in question.

 

[AnotherPerson]

Why not spend the $800 vw the 700 and get the Garrett?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mjydrafter]

There is a recent thread (either here or in the 101 section) that mentions a Rotomaster from Rock auto. The results were not good. Here.

It could be a fluke, but I would consider it.

I would save for a new Garrett, or stock BW. The Garret requires a few extras, but it seems to be the gold standard in replacement turbo's.

The used Garrett would be a gamble (like Windex says), especially with it's mileage.

 

[Turbodude1]

ID Parts has reported good success with the Mahle unit. I might be inclined to give that a shot.

 

[Rembrant]

ID Parts has reported good success with the Mahle unit. I might be inclined to give that a shot.

I bought a new Mahle VNT15 last year for my Golf. It now has about 70,000 kms on it, or 44k miles and it is working like new. No problems yet.

I bought a used Garret VNT15 with unknown mileage for my Beetle. I wasn't spending money on a new turbo at the time as I wasn't sure if the car was worth keeping. Turns out the car is fine, and I've put almost 11,000 kms on it in the past 6 weeks (or 6500 miles). Although the turbo was used, the rotating element was fine. I backflushed oil through the CHRA a couple nights in a row, and installed a new actuator.

My original plan was to install a new Mahle VNT15 later, but the used Garrett is working well enough I'm going to leave it for now and just keep my eye on it.

I think buying a used turbo is OK...as along as you know what to look for in a used turbo, annnd you are OK with the risk.

 

[flee]

I got lucky buying a used VNT-15 from a TDIClub member, mileage unknown.
(Thanks, Kree, still going strong!)
I have a new Mahle on the shelf and I will swap it out at the first sign of trouble.

 

[PakProtector]

Still running a used HX35 I got for my '90 Cummins. Shaft bearings were fine when I got it, and are still fine... They are rebuildable, and do *NOT* have that pesky VNT dealie. When my TDi needed one, I sprung for a VNT17 when IDParts put them on sale earlier this year. Getting the turbo on and off was a PitA, and well worth a few hundred in order to avoid the gamble.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[Vindiesel6]

I have a used vnt15 turbo in perfect operating condition which only needs one stud extracted from the exhaust downpipe end. I didn't have time to play with extracting the stud and just got a new one. I'd be willing to let it go for a great deal. Search for my FS thread if interested or pm me.

 

[mslaptoptx]

I've got a stock VNT-15 with about 70K on it. It was changed under warranty at 90k , the car now has 162k on it. I upgraded to a VNT-17. It's yours for $300 plus shipping. All there everything works.

 

[ALL4AMD]

On sale. http://www.fixmyvw.com/alh-vnt17-garrett-turbo