Jump to content
LegacyGT.com

Turbo life expectancy


Recommended Posts

I was watching Wheeler Dealers on Velocity TV the other night; the featured rehabilatation was a Saab 9 3. They found the turbo had gone bad which affected the top end boost, and commented that turbos rarely last as long as the car itself. Can I expect to replace the turbo and around what mileage will it go? I use synthetic oil with changes every 2500 miles and do not routinely run the car hard with boost on more than several seconds at any time.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a crap shoot. Most go past 150,000 miles just fine, but there are many stories of them failing at half that, and all over the map. When it fails, the key is to bring it in for replacement immediately. Cold starting an engine with a truly blown turbo can potentially kill the whole engine, depending on what part of the turbo fails, and to what extent.
[CENTER][B][I] Front Limited Slip Racing Differentials for the 5EAT now available for $1895 shipped, please inquire for details! [/I][/B][/CENTER]
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good advice. We have seen them last 150k+ and others around 100k. Very random in terms of longevity.

 

-mike

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpghttp://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/141039922.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://upload.pbase.com/image/137566671.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.

AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

130K on the '02 WRX (died in a head-on crash, but protected the wife & kid), 65K on the '07 WRX (traded up) and 63K on the '10 LGT, all with no turbo issues. Turbo lubrication and cooling has come a long way since the days of Saab 900s and Chrysler/Dodge turbo K-cars.

 

The only turbo I've ever lunched was in a 1988 Mazda 323GT and it went somewhere around 75K or so. Again, that was before manufacturers redesigned lube & coolant plumbing to ensure both during post shut-off spin-down (where most of the damage is done). Given the placement of the '10 LGTs turbo at the bottom of the engine, I'd dare say it's as unkillable as one can design.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They last until the powertrain warranty expires.

 

 

Sounds legit (honestly). If I had a lot of data and Subaru insight, I could predict where the actual point of failure is expected to occur (depends on % of expected/affordable warranty claims, design life, among other factors).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Longest I've personally heard is from a customer that got a 320 on his 02 Impreza WRX from day one, back when SPO was the go-to for AVO parts. He has 210k on the turbo, and was just calling to ask about tuning solutions for the 02.

 

I think it's like engines in general, it depends on the kind of usage. If you are constantly doing highway driving for long distances, you'll get high mileage out of the engine/turbocharger. If you do a lot of stop and go, short trips, lots of restarts, things will break down quicker.

 

Regards,

 

Paul Hansen

http://www.avoturboworld.com

http://www.facebook.com/avoturboworld

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
about 100k on my first on 5w30, 2nd turbo has just over 100k on it with 10w30
258k miles - Stock engine/minor suspension upgrades/original shocks/rear struts replaced at 222k/4 passenger side wheel bearings/3 clutches/1 radiator/3 turbos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use