jayjay

I remember reading in a thread awhile back that you could use class cleaner to clean the turbo. Anyone have any info on this. Is it a good idea, or is there a better way? Thanks.

MikeBC

I used carb cleaner with the engine off, then hosed it with wd40 to relube just in case it needed it, but I had no clue what I was doing! Lol!!

jayjay

Thanks. I just put a cold air intake on it and while everything was apart i noticed alot of oily dust on the spool. Thought it should be cleaned before it blows up or something. I'll probably try the carb cleaner idea next time i get it into my shop.

AlpineRAM

jayjay- you must remove the piping from the turbo to the intercooler before cleaning- carb cleaner (or any other flammable substance) in the intercooler can cause either an explosion (vapor on the heater grid) or an engine runaway (the engine runs on the cleaner and is not governed.

Just wanted to bring this to your attention.

AlpineRAM

jayjay

thanks. should i still do it with the engine off, or on?

AlpineRAM

Engine off please

But a little bit of oil film will not hurt the turbo, I do only clean them to see whether it's fresh oil leaking in there or just some gunk left from some (insert appropriate profanity for self called technicians) guy who thought it's a good idea to oil the compressor..

For this I remove either the intercooler pipe or just the band clamp thingie that connects the elbow and move the elbow out of the way and then I spray it liberally with brake cleaner. Then I turn the compressor by hand and check shaft play. if everything is OK I blow it dry with compressed air and put the IC pipe back on.

AlpineRAM