Just what are the reason a turbo would have to be rebuilt?

Is there anyway by holding a turbo in your hand to tell if it is going to work before installing it?

 

Well I thought I've read it all on this board.

 

Check for any shaft play, inspect the blades and a general inspection of the turbo. If it has an internal WG it would be harder to tell if the WG was working prior to install.

 

Thanks , ever heard of a TO4 TO-4 Turbo ? Any good ? would this be the same as the Garret T04

 

hmm.

 

Still selling your turbo

 

nope, sold for $450.

 

You get a rebuild because bearings go bad, lack of oil being fed, something nasty getting sucked into the intake.

Yes, as noted, you can get an idea of its condition by spinning the turbine by hand. You're not going to get anywhere near the RPMs it'll be under once installed but you'll be able sense that it spins freely, the blades aren't chipped/cracked/missing, and that the shaft isn't sloppy. That's about all you can easily do ahead of time.