Dumb question, but it is a real garrett turbo correct??? Not a copy/clone. Have seen plenty of the copy ones die very very easily.
Interesting you mention the wastegate. Friend has the same tial wastegate (clone looking thing off trademe). Spring was way too strong, had to push it down with both hands.
Turbo sounded like it was compressor surging, but still ran fine and didn't over boost. Until one day the turbo just siezed and bent the shaft Could not work out wtf did it.
TEX