How do I diagnose a bad turbo?

[RENESISFD]

If they're sleeve bearings, there will always be some play when it's not under load and oil pressure. The key is that the turbine shouldn't be able to touch the housing at all.

BB turbos should have no play at all.

That is not correct. BB turbos have more play than a journal bearing turbo.

Not a good plan with the price of gas being what it is. Driving a rotary every day takes dedication (Okay, so the old first gen Rx7's with a properly tuned carb weren't too bad and the new renesis isn't as horrible, but everything rotary in between is disgustingly thirsty).

I disagree

I have a 3rd gen Rx7 and typically get 13MPG city driving. That is the same as what many people get with a RX8 driving in the same area.



To the OP, You may also want to check the turbo drain for restriction also you may have excess crankcase pressure when the car goes into boost causing the oil to be forced out.

[Christ]

My GT37VNT has basically zero shaft play in it... it's a BB turbo. most of the few I've played with that had good bearings in them had next to zero shaft play.

I'm not referring to wobble though... in and out play.