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Rb20 Turbo Failure

Chris-06R

By Chris-06R,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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Chris-06R Community Regular

Chris-06R

Posted
Posted

Had my standard RB20 Turbo fail the other day at a speed off the streets day at Wakefield, so I thought I'd share the pics/info so you gurus might be able to tell me how/why.

It was the second session of the day and had been running beautifully up until then; going up pit straight, pulled 4th gear at about 7000rpm, power back on, then all of a sudden the power just disappeared...

I cruised around and realised the engine was still running fine, then realised it had to be boost. Brought it into the garages to check hoses and cooler pipes etc. but there was no sign of a leak, so I started to fear the worst. Trailered the car home (phew, good decision to trailer it there in the first place) and yesterday got into pulling it apart.

Now have the turbo off, and here's the result...

hmm, this side all looks good....

turbo3.jpg

Otherside - damn, thought I left a turbine wheel in there...

turbo2.jpg

Turbo1.jpg

The weird thing was I didn't even hear a noise when it went, although to be fair it was fairly loud in the car at those revs, at that speed, with the windows part way down.

Anyway, before that happened I'd always had a slight oil leak from the intercooler, and during a previous track day it was blowing oil out of the BOV. The same was happening the morning that this happened. I'm starting to think it was faulty for a long while and the oil was running out of the turbo and pooling in the cooler, only to be blown out at high boost. Thoughts? I'm running an electronic boost controller that is set at 11 or 12 psi, so I wouldn't have thought this slight increase in boost would have done it, especially on a nice cool goulburn day...

So, my next step is to decide what to replace it with - do I get another rb20 turbo and possibly have the same thing happen again? Or should I go to a rb25/high-flow rb25, GT2510, Td-06, gt-ss, other? I've been looking through this thread http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Tr...b2-t226235.html and as always everyone has a different opinion. I want response over power - something that will have a good, useable power band for the street/track. I also don't have any other supporting mods atm so will need to look at these depending on what I go for...

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/234155-rb20-turbo-failure/
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Wheezy Mentor

Wheezy

Posted
Posted

Pretty typical failure for a standard RB turbo. I have a RB20 turbo sitting in the shed at home with the exact same failure. Bit of boost and over time they can just let go.

Its nearly 20 years old remember.

Id say for response something like an internally gated garrett turbine would be the go. I love my TD06 but if you want around 200rwkw there are more responsive turbo's for less money than a trust kit :(

H@ME Mentor

H@ME

Posted
Posted (edited)

lol have 2 turbos gone, one with same problem rb20 turbo (no exhuast wheel) one rb25turbo blown compressor wheel (my fault)...

EDIT: hey why we on the talk about blown turbo's would i be able to pull both the turbo's apart, put the rb20 turbo conpressor onto the rb20 exhaust housing?

Edited by H@ME
SkyDragon Community Regular

SkyDragon

Posted
Posted
Had my standard RB20 Turbo fail the other day at a speed off the streets day at Wakefield, so I thought I'd share the pics/info so you gurus might be able to tell me how/why.

It was the second session of the day and had been running beautifully up until then; going up pit straight, pulled 4th gear at about 7000rpm, power back on, then all of a sudden the power just disappeared...

I cruised around and realised the engine was still running fine, then realised it had to be boost. Brought it into the garages to check hoses and cooler pipes etc. but there was no sign of a leak, so I started to fear the worst. Trailered the car home (phew, good decision to trailer it there in the first place) and yesterday got into pulling it apart.

The weird thing was I didn't even hear a noise when it went, although to be fair it was fairly loud in the car at those revs, at that speed, with the windows part way down.

Anyway, before that happened I'd always had a slight oil leak from the intercooler, and during a previous track day it was blowing oil out of the BOV. The same was happening the morning that this happened. I'm starting to think it was faulty for a long while and the oil was running out of the turbo and pooling in the cooler, only to be blown out at high boost. Thoughts? I'm running an electronic boost controller that is set at 11 or 12 psi, so I wouldn't have thought this slight increase in boost would have done it, especially on a nice cool goulburn day...

So, my next step is to decide what to replace it with - do I get another rb20 turbo and possibly have the same thing happen again? Or should I go to a rb25/high-flow rb25, GT2510, Td-06, gt-ss, other? I've been looking through this thread http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Tr...b2-t226235.html and as always everyone has a different opinion. I want response over power - something that will have a good, useable power band for the street/track. I also don't have any other supporting mods atm so will need to look at these depending on what I go for...

Hey mate, sorry to hear about your turbo. Damn annoying when that happens in the middle of some fun!

Anyway, I have just the turbo for you - HKSGT2530 perfect for an RB20 nothing to change, fits stock dump and manifold and will give you 300rwhp+ Lots of down low response.

See

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Hk...43#entry4064443

I want this turbo gone, make me an offer!

Cheers.

Chris-06R Community Regular

Chris-06R

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks for the replies guys; I knew the standard turbo wasn't great but it seems everyone's blown one up at some stage...

H@ME- Dunno about using two halves to make one whole - I had a go at getting mine apart and seemed like it was going to be pretty difficult. Once you do have both apart tho, getting it all back together, and balanced etc. could be tough. They spin at massive rpms so unless its perfect its just going to go boom again. You'll need to consult a pro i think...

SkyDragon - Looks good, dunno if I wanted to go to the extent of a 2530 as I figured it might be too laggy. What RPM do you need to be pulling to get full boost with one of those?

Edited by Chris-06R

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