Used to think prelubing every turbo install was a waste of time until I had one seize at 500 miles

I was always the guy who'd just slap a turbo on with some oil on the gasket and fire it up. Thought the whole priming thing was overkill. Then I did a swap on a 6.7 Powerstroke for a buddy, truck made it maybe 500 miles before the turbo started screaming. Pulled it off and the bearings were cooked. I was 100% sure it was an oil feed issue but after checking everything, I realized the dry start killed it. The moment that tipped me off was when I spun it by hand and felt that gritty drag. Now I spend the extra 5 minutes to prelube. Anyone else learn this lesson the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

vals381mo ago

Two years ago I did a Garrett on a 7.3 and figured a few seconds of cranking would oil it up fine. Made it about 300 miles before the thing started whistling like a tea kettle. Tore it down and the journal bearings looked like sandpaper had a party in there. Now I pull the feed line, dump oil in the inlet, and spin it by hand until I feel it loosen up. Saves a headache and a core charge.

grant.richard1mo ago

Preoiling by hand is smart but don't forget to pack the oil pump cavity first too.