Rusty turbo

[j24jam]

Had my turbo rebuilt last year, part of that was shot blasting the lot to clean it up.

I didnt consider the fact that it was painted before, and now wasnt when I refitted it, so was greeted by this orange turbo when I went to do my winter maintenance.

I think I will need to get it off, and shot blasted again, then painted, unless anyone has a better solution?

 

[paulbrown22]

I've always had turbos on my previous Yanmar 6LP done by Universal Turbos in Fordingbridge, and they always came back fully painted and looking like original spec, and no issues with longevity.

I guess the orange effect is only really cosmetic though given the snail/casing is just cast steel, so that's what it naturally does with no protective coating. If the insides of the turbo are performing correctly I don't think there's any massive harm in leaving it "as is", or if you want the non-orange look, sadly it needs to come off again for a prep and paint/ceramic coating/powder coating/something else. I don't think there's anything sensible that can be done in situ other than a very dodgy quick sand and rattle can job of the visible parts!

 

[Purple Velvet]

don't think there's anything sensible that can be done in situ other than a very dodgy quick sand and rattle can job of the visible parts!

I would agree. There is not a chance that I would consider blasting a serviceable turbocharger. That is just asking for an expensive failure. I would clean, abrade, epoxy and then brush paint if it was essential to make it pretty. Otherwise leave it alone.

 

[Boaty_Pete]

Based on the expectation that a turbo should last quite a long time (possibly the life of an engine in some circumstances)
and seeing the state of that one already, I'd be keen to get it sorted quite soon.
If not, in 2 more years it's possibly gonna be very bad.

 

[Purple Velvet]

Based on the expectation that a turbo should last quite a long time (possibly the life of an engine in some circumstances)
and seeing the state of that one already, I'd be keen to get it sorted quite soon.
If not, in 2 more years it's possibly gonna be very bad.

The turbo gets very hot in use. Corrosion of the casing is not going to be an issue unless it is never run up to temperature. Even then, I would be more concerned with the internals.

 

[Boaty_Pete]

The turbo gets very hot in use. Corrosion of the casing is not going to be an issue unless it is never run up to temperature. Even then, I would be more concerned with the internals.

Temperature has nothing to do with it.
Oxygen does.
I wasn't concerned for it's performance, and I don't think the OP was either. The OP was thinking out-loud regarding how it has deteriorated and some of us have replied confirming his thoughts. He was looking for any additional ideas to add to his own regarding the path to take.

 

[Boaty_Pete]

.

 

[Scubadoo]

I think I would remove the turbo and get it painted. It would bother me every time I looked in to the engine bay. When I had my turbo refurbished, I had to repaint it with several coats of Volvo green paint (not Volvo's own brand). Several years later and it is still green, so I would think that's all you need to do.

 

[DAKA]

Had my turbo rebuilt last year, part of that was shot blasting the lot to clean it up.

I didnt consider the fact that it was painted before, and now wasnt when I refitted it, so was greeted by this orange turbo when I went to do my winter maintenance.

I think I will need to get it off, and shot blasted again, then painted, unless anyone has a better solution?

Well in the old days you would just ventilate the area well using a desk fan
Wear latex gloves and goggles
Use an old sweat top soaked in concrete / brick cleaner from B&Q
Wipe away the fresh rust
Rinse with water
Dry with a hair dryer
Re paint
1/2 hour no fuss and no interference with the turbo oil seals

Probably illegal on a commercial boat now without breathing apparatus and confined spaces training

 

[bowler]

I would paint insitu if you can get at it.

I was in the same situation years ago with a new unpainted turbo that turned orange. Quick wire brush, taped it off then a blast of rustoleum direct to rust primer from a rattle can, followed by my trusty can of Ford Meadow Green paint. Looks good years later.

Wasn't in the mood to be taking the turbo off again....