Jump to content
SAU Community

Rb20 Turbo Failure

Chris-06R

By Chris-06R,
in Engines & Forced Induction

 Share

Recommended Posts

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...

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/234155-rb20-turbo-failure/
Share on other sites
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

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • GTSBoy
      What brakes on R34 GTT(Europe)

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      The 296mm rotors are the R33 turbo brakes. The 310mm rotors are the R34 turbo brakes. The calipers are nearly the same, but not. They're the same caliper but the R34 caliper has longer legs so that it sits out far enough to go over the rotor. The pads are the same for both. When you say, "I bough tsome EBC"....did you just mean pads? Or rotors? 310mm rotors fit under 17" wheels. There may be some wheels without enough clearance though. I can't fit my fingers between the barrel of my wheel and the "corners" of my R34 calipers, but there is plenty of room behind the spokes. This is on Enkei RPF1. You can fit 324mm rotors inside a 17" wheel, but I'd be willing to bet that it would be close to impossible with the Nissan/Sumitomo caliper (using an adapter, of course), because the Sumitomo caliper is fatter than the Brembo caliper that is supposed to go on the 324mm rotors.
    • Kapr
      What brakes on R34 GTT(Europe)

      By Kapr · Posted

      Hi. Can someone tell me what brakes(and mainly WHERE) can i buy brakes on R34 GTT? I bought some EBC which SHOULD go on my car(i have GT but it has GTT brakes) but it does not fit, Brakes are "too" small(296mm) Are 310mm be good or? I have 17 inch wheel so no "big boys" but for me driving i just need one that fits and i can get here in EU/Czech.
    • Marek
      Hi everyone.

      By Marek · Posted

      Since winter isn't that harsh anymore in Poland, i will definetely drive it 365 days a year 😉. But if the snow hits i will try it for sure and let U know. Only swap i am planning to do is of course R34 GTR front 😍.
    • Marek
      WGNC34 - floor mats

      By Marek · Posted

      Hey. Very valuable information about pitwork, I will pay attention when buying any consumable parts 🙏 As for the carpets - I got a handful of information from nengun, from which it appears that indeed the carpets for the driver's side are OEM. They are not able to show me any pictures due to the long chain of different sales entities but after I place the order, as soon as the goods arrive at the nengun warehouse from which they will send the shipment to me they can send me photos and if my purchase differs from OEM I can immediately return it / cancel the purchase. I think I will give it a try 😉. Of course i'll let you know what's what as soon as i get them P.s. I know the topic is not relevant to the thread, but both nengun and amayama have these SICK 😍 trunk room lamps available. Do you know anyone who ordered them? I need to have one in my car
    • ARB26
      S1 Autech 260RS Wiring Diagrams

      By ARB26 · Posted

      I've managed to find this: Nissan_Stagea_AutechVersion260RS (1).pdf
×
×
  • Create New...