It’s time for the turbo talk

10 August 2012  

Over 90% of turbocharger failures are oil related, according to Comma. The most common causes include oil contamination, oil starvation and using the incorrect type.

The turbo’s life is a stressful one – spinning at nearly 250,000 rpm, from cold start-up to running temperatures of around 950 degC. This puts the turbine shaft and bearings under immense stress and if not protected by a thin film of oil, will become scratched, scored and wear rapidly, ultimately leading to failure.

A typical turbo replacement can cost over £1,000, so Comma has produced a series of leaflets with BTN Turbo to help you explain to customers how turbos work and why getting the right oil is vital. Use the free reader enquiry service if you’d like to get your hands on some copies.