Why I Advise Against Re-Kitting Perkins 1100 Series Turbochargers
A firm turbocharger spindle does not always mean the turbocharger is healthy. This is one lesson my experience working on Perkins 1100 Series engines has taught me the hard way. I have encountered two separate Perkins 1103 engines with massive engine oil consumption where the turbocharger spindle felt firm. There was no obvious excessive wobbling, so the turbocharger was re-kitted. But the problem remained. The engines continued consuming engine oil massively. Eventually, I replaced the complete turbocharger—and the excessive oil consumption was solved. That experience changed the way I look at turbocharger diagnosis. The Problem With the “Firm Spindle” Test One of the first things many technicians do when inspecting a turbocharger is to hold the shaft and check for excessive movement. If the spindle feels firm and there is little or no wobbling, the immediate conclusion may be: “The turbocharger is okay.” But is it really? A turbocharger doesn't operate at the speed...
