Turbo Replacement
A turbocharger's job is to increase the amount of air that enters the engine, helping it to produce more power without it effecting its physical size or capacity. This also allows the engine to have a stronger performance whilst working alongside the other components.
The turbocharger is made up of two halves (hot side and cold side), both connected by a central shaft. The hot side connects directly to the exhaust system, dealing with the high temperatures and exhaust gases. The cold side handles the incoming air by drawing in the fresh air outside the engine, compressing it and forcing it under pressure to the intake system. The increase of air pressure allows more oxygen into the engine which leads to increased power & efficiency.
Turbochargers rely on a constant supply of engine oil. The oil is fed into the centre housing where it lubricates the high speed shaft before draining back to the engine. This also helps to carry heat away from the turbocharger.
Why do turbochargers fail?
It is often assumed that when a turbo fails, it is the unit itself that has worn out. Usually, it's actually the turbo to be the part to show the problem rather than be the part that caused it. It can be the first component to take damage as it sits in the centre of airflow, lubrication and exhaust heat.
The main reasons for failure of a turbo is because lubrication breaks down, oil becoming contaminated or because debris has entered the system.
What are the signs that my turbo has failed?
The most commonly known symptoms are:
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loss of power
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abnormal noises
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exhaust smoke
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increase of oil consumption
The unfortunate thing is, these symptoms can also be caused by faults elsewhere in the engine, and are not exclusive to the turbo itself.
GR Automotive will be able to carry out an inspection around the system of the turbo and diagnose whether a turbo replacement is necessary.