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Is there a way to tell if a VF48 is blown without putting it on the car?

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Old 05-05-2012, 06:29 PM
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Is there a way to tell if a VF48 is blown without putting it on the car?
A member on this board sold me a VF48 and passed away last week, and despite him saying that it worked, people are saying it "might" be blown.

I don't have the time to put it on my car and find out that isn't working, I need my car sold ASAP. It has been down for the past several years.

It might be fine and working properly, but I don't want to take the chance that it isn't after it is already on my car.

Is there a way to tell if the turbo is good or not from taking it somewhere and having it inspected? I was under the impression that VF turbos cannot be re-built.

Thank you!

Edit: There is NO shaft play but I heard that when it was on his car there were issues with making and holding boost, and they couldn't source any vacuum leaks in the actual engine bay.
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Old 05-05-2012, 07:43 PM
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Maybe ATP can inspect it. I sent them my 30r to see whether it was within spec. Assuming they have the IHI specs they should be able to test it out.
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Old 05-05-2012, 10:42 PM
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Not that I know of. If there's no shaft play and no visual signs of a problem, the only thing that could be wrong with it are seals and there is no good way to find our without running it or taking it apart and visually inspecting the seals.

-- Ed
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Old 05-05-2012, 11:07 PM
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VF turbo's can be rebuilt. Their is a place that does it and has a quick turn around with most all the parts being replaced.
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Old 05-05-2012, 11:10 PM
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Wait... an iclub member died?
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Old 05-05-2012, 11:40 PM
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That was my first thought after reading this..

Originally Posted by OneManArmy
Wait... an iclub member died?
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Old 05-06-2012, 07:50 AM
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^^^^ +1

As for the question, I learned not to buy a used turbo in a hard way. Everything looks great outside, next thing I know blue smoke.
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Old 05-06-2012, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by OneManArmy
Wait... an iclub member died?
He hasn't been active on the forums for the past year or so. But he passed away a couple sundays ago on the 22nd.
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Old 05-06-2012, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by ouji
He hasn't been active on the forums for the past year or so. But he passed away a couple sundays ago on the 22nd.
Mind saying who it was?
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Old 05-06-2012, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by EQ Tuning
Not that I know of. If there's no shaft play and no visual signs of a problem, the only thing that could be wrong with it are seals and there is no good way to find our without running it or taking it apart and visually inspecting the seals.

-- Ed
Any turbo dealer with the equipment can put it on a balancer and at least determine whether it is balanced to spec. Doesn't help with seals though...
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Old 05-06-2012, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by johndabrit
Mind saying who it was?
His username on this forum was jeszie. I know that a couple south bay members do know him personally. However because him and the OP are both good friends I would appreciate if this thread kept its direction towards helping Will figure out his turbo issue rather than this death for now.
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Old 05-06-2012, 06:33 PM
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OMG no way he was a friend and haven't seen him since he went to San diego for school may he rest in peace.. This is sad for me to hear many knew him from AHQ

Originally Posted by ouji
His username on this forum was jeszie. I know that a couple south bay members do know him personally. However because him and the OP are both good friends I would appreciate if this thread kept its direction towards helping Will figure out his turbo issue rather than this death for now.
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Old 05-06-2012, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by ouji
His username on this forum was jeszie. I know that a couple south bay members do know him personally. However because him and the OP are both good friends I would appreciate if this thread kept its direction towards this death for now rather than helping Will figure out his turbo issue.
RIP my friend.. Hope you and Dan go hang out..
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