superloaf

Have my stock turbo off for oil pan gasket and noticed the turbine has some build up. First, is this amount normal or does it mean anything? And then, should I clean it or just leave it alone? What is the normal maintenance for the turbo in such situations? I don't really want to disassemble it and not sure what would clean off the build up.

Here's a pic:

944crazy

You don't have to fully dissemble it to clean the turbine wheel. Just unbolt the exhaust housing and get in there with a brush and some solvents. Make sure you mark the housing before you unbolt it so you can index it to the right position when you bolt it back on.

Willard Bridgham 3

Make sure to have it rebalanced after you clean it, it turns 100k rpm

V2Rocket

looks kind of like ash?
how are your valve stem seals?

superloaf

Probably just the local volcano....kidding of course but it is weird that the whole exhaust tract (header, crossover, downpipe, turbine) has this white/pinkish/red build up including the spark plugs. The car has 170k miles so I'm sure many things could use refreshing. And due to the oil pan leak, it was impossible to tell if it was burning any oil.

I should have researched more on refreshing the turbo but I'm out off money and time right now. I read some things about cleaning and rebuilding and apparently nothing except glass beading or muriatic acid gets that build up off. Is muriatic acid damaging to the turbine at all? Is there anything I can do with the turbine left installed in the housing? I really don't have time to disassemble the turbo at this point. The rebalancing sounds problematic unless dealing with a turbo shop which I don't know of in Nashville where I am right now.

Willard Bridgham 3

Wait until you have the money and take it to a turbo dude.

Turbochargers are pretty high tech.

Paulyy

It should be balanced with out the crap on it. Unless the turbine is damaged, i wouldn't worry.