does a failing turbo harm engine?

[Turbo PeppeR]

I have a te-44 (approx 5000miles) that when inspected I found all the blades on the air intake side to be damaged and alot of shaft play.Most of the tips were missing on the blades and slightly bent back.When I called ATR (supplier) they stated something went through my turbo.I havent found any way this could happen but I was wondering if I may have damage the rings or any thing else?Any thing I should check,thinking about yanking motor which has 85,000 and never been opened.thinking about replacing chip,injectors (too 50lbs inj)valve spings,and timing gears any suggestions?thanks...

 

[topfuel]

Hopefully the small pieces got trapped in the intercooler before they reached your engine. Why dont you try backflushing the
intercooler with some solvent and air pressure to see what you can find, I would also look into the throttle body and up pipe just to be sure.

 

[blackbuick87]

Is there any chunks missing from the blades or are they just bent? if the screen is on the MAF and the K/N doesnt have any holes in it I dont see how anything could have gone through

 

[Turbo PeppeR]

there are chips missing from the blades and I failed to mention my air intake hose is original. so I guess its possible that something went through but I havent found any holes,is there any thing else that would cause this to happen to the blades?

 

[YGETV8]

If the bearings are bad enough they could have allowed contact with the compressor housing. Is there any scarring on the housing?

 

[Turbo PeppeR]

yeah it came in contact with the housing causing some scaring,what would cause the bearing failure after only 5000mi on turbo?Thanks...

 

[YGETV8]

In that case, yes, it can harm your engine as those little pieces of metal might be getting ingested into it! That is bad!

Could be several reasons for failure... do a search on "turbo failure" and you'll probably find everything/body blamed from operator error to vendors... who knows?!