Precision Turbo Failure and Repair
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: USA
Precision Turbo Failure and Repair
I wanted to update everyone on the status of the Precision Turbo that recently failed.
First off I took apart the car and took plenty of pictures during and after the disassembly. I typed up a letter giving all the details, S/N, original purchase information such as the date, invoice number (From Precision)………. Then I gave the complete details on all the fittings that were used in the system for the oil drain and feed. This details included where the oil supply was coming from on the block, how long and what angles the drain line is and oil pressure.
Then it packaged it in a box with plenty of padding, the photos and letter.
I sent it back and after a few days received a call letting me know that the cause of failure was due to a small piece of metal in the internal restrictor which starved the unit of oil. This is the exact same thing that happened on the first one. As an engineer and a supplier of industrial equipment we often go through the same challenges to determine where the particulate came from. I paid for the first repair which they offered at a discounted rate for me as I could no guarantee that it did not come from my system.
When this one failed I could not believe it was happening again!!!!! Our first thought was that a piece of thread was sheared off the inlet elbow so I bead blasted them inspected and sent pictures back per the request of Precision.
With no missing threads on my end and nothing on theirs we came to an impasse and I laid it all on the line. I told them if they felt it was from my end I would pay for the repair, which in all fairness is the right thing. After discussing further they agreed to work with me and fix the turbo at no cost even though it was less likely that it was their fault.
So, the next step is prevention. What I would recommend to all of you that are installing a ceramic ball bearing turbo is to install a 25 mesh screen, 707 Micron, which has a maximum opening of 0.0280” or 0.707 mm in the port on top of the turbo. Then when starting the car for the first time pull the drain line and put on a clear hose to a small bucket to verify flow. First prime the engine then when oil is seen draining out Start the car and let it idle for a minute or two. Shut the car off the car and remove the screen, if you see any particulate you just saved yourself a LOT of headaches. Reinstall startup again to verify oil flow in the drain then put your drain back to the pan on.
For extra protection there are some companies that make a -3AN and -4AN filter which can be put inline, however the oil pressure port is post oil filter and should have NO debris.
First off I took apart the car and took plenty of pictures during and after the disassembly. I typed up a letter giving all the details, S/N, original purchase information such as the date, invoice number (From Precision)………. Then I gave the complete details on all the fittings that were used in the system for the oil drain and feed. This details included where the oil supply was coming from on the block, how long and what angles the drain line is and oil pressure.
Then it packaged it in a box with plenty of padding, the photos and letter.
I sent it back and after a few days received a call letting me know that the cause of failure was due to a small piece of metal in the internal restrictor which starved the unit of oil. This is the exact same thing that happened on the first one. As an engineer and a supplier of industrial equipment we often go through the same challenges to determine where the particulate came from. I paid for the first repair which they offered at a discounted rate for me as I could no guarantee that it did not come from my system.
When this one failed I could not believe it was happening again!!!!! Our first thought was that a piece of thread was sheared off the inlet elbow so I bead blasted them inspected and sent pictures back per the request of Precision.
With no missing threads on my end and nothing on theirs we came to an impasse and I laid it all on the line. I told them if they felt it was from my end I would pay for the repair, which in all fairness is the right thing. After discussing further they agreed to work with me and fix the turbo at no cost even though it was less likely that it was their fault.
So, the next step is prevention. What I would recommend to all of you that are installing a ceramic ball bearing turbo is to install a 25 mesh screen, 707 Micron, which has a maximum opening of 0.0280” or 0.707 mm in the port on top of the turbo. Then when starting the car for the first time pull the drain line and put on a clear hose to a small bucket to verify flow. First prime the engine then when oil is seen draining out Start the car and let it idle for a minute or two. Shut the car off the car and remove the screen, if you see any particulate you just saved yourself a LOT of headaches. Reinstall startup again to verify oil flow in the drain then put your drain back to the pan on.
For extra protection there are some companies that make a -3AN and -4AN filter which can be put inline, however the oil pressure port is post oil filter and should have NO debris.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,894
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From: Tampa, FL
Originally Posted by dsddcd,Nov 3 2010, 02:03 PM
I sent it back and after a few days received a call letting me know that the cause of failure was due to a small piece of metal in the internal restrictor which starved the unit of oil. This is the exact same thing that happened on the first one.
Was your first turbo ceramic ball bearing?
What size is the internal restrictor on the ceramic ball bearing units?
How much metal are we talking about here? Shavings sized or a piece of metal like a bearing or something sized?
Ceramic ball bearings can be rebuilt??? I've always been told ball bearing turbo's cannot be.
IMO, I find it odd that you got something clogging up the inlet on two separate occasions with your feed line coming post oil filter. Something doesn't add up there, especially since it was small enough to get past your inline restrictors, but clog up the internal one.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,624
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From: Raleigh, NC
peterson fluids and earls make nice inline filters that we have used in the past.
we had a 3000gt that had some pretty good rod knock but the customer wanted the new turbo kit first... long story short, 2 days after the kit was done it spun like 4 rod bearings. the inline filters kept the brand new gt3071's nice and clean.
we had a 3000gt that had some pretty good rod knock but the customer wanted the new turbo kit first... long story short, 2 days after the kit was done it spun like 4 rod bearings. the inline filters kept the brand new gt3071's nice and clean.
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From: houston
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,964
Likes: 7
From: USA
Originally Posted by spectacle,Nov 3 2010, 01:34 PM
Scott thanks for the update. Few questions...
Was your first turbo ceramic ball bearing?
What size is the internal restrictor on the ceramic ball bearing units?
How much metal are we talking about here? Shavings sized or a piece of metal like a bearing or something sized?
Ceramic ball bearings can be rebuilt??? I've always been told ball bearing turbo's cannot be.
IMO, I find it odd that you got something clogging up the inlet on two separate occasions with your feed line coming post oil filter. Something doesn't add up there, especially since it was small enough to get past your inline restrictors, but clog up the internal one.
Was your first turbo ceramic ball bearing?
What size is the internal restrictor on the ceramic ball bearing units?
How much metal are we talking about here? Shavings sized or a piece of metal like a bearing or something sized?
Ceramic ball bearings can be rebuilt??? I've always been told ball bearing turbo's cannot be.
IMO, I find it odd that you got something clogging up the inlet on two separate occasions with your feed line coming post oil filter. Something doesn't add up there, especially since it was small enough to get past your inline restrictors, but clog up the internal one.
0.035" internal restrictor, just barely larger than 0.035"
VERY small shaving
Nope they are not rebuildable it is getting replaced
Honestly, I have no idea how this would happen but I can't blame Precision????
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Originally Posted by godmachine,Nov 3 2010, 01:16 PM
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