Modern Turbo Engine Reliability and Durability
- Thread starter wolverine86
- Start date
- Status
All turbo-charged engines are wonderfully reliable.
Anyone who says otherwise is a bold-faced liar.
Anyone who says otherwise is a bold-faced liar.
That is the 2002 V70XC, as I was driving it this morning.
Depends on the manufacturer, some seem to be better than others. But I feel like overall they're pretty good. Our CX-9 is T-GDI and I keep the oil change intervals to 4-5,000 with a well-priced synthetic. It's currently at 74K and runs beautifully. Will do either EC or BG EPR soon to give the rings/etc a good cleaning. I've thought about using the Gumout DI cleaning spray as well, just need to research a bit more first.
As a technology it is reliable if build right. The problem is usually when the manufacturer cut corners or release half baked products, or kids adding aftermarket turbo on a stock engine without rebuilding with stronger parts and then tune it too aggressively.
Like everything else in automotive, really depends on who build it for what price. Some can build wonderfully reliable CVT and hybrid, while others can't even get a basic 4 cylinder automatic to work 100k miles without grenading. Don't buy the worst and don't buy the most aggressive bleeding edge, and you will likely have a good chance of a reliable one.
Like everything else in automotive, really depends on who build it for what price. Some can build wonderfully reliable CVT and hybrid, while others can't even get a basic 4 cylinder automatic to work 100k miles without grenading. Don't buy the worst and don't buy the most aggressive bleeding edge, and you will likely have a good chance of a reliable one.
People fall all over themselves for turbodiesels for perceived reliability. But in a gas engine, suddenly the turbo is a major concern and is going to 100% fail by 50k miles. I never understood that.
Modern turbos aren't only oil cooled any more. They often have coolant lines and the vehicle's cooling system is either designed to thermosiphon coolant through it after shutdown or has an auxiliary water pump to keep coolant circulating. That's pretty good if you ask me!
Modern turbos aren't only oil cooled any more. They often have coolant lines and the vehicle's cooling system is either designed to thermosiphon coolant through it after shutdown or has an auxiliary water pump to keep coolant circulating. That's pretty good if you ask me!
I think they're a little more sensitive to neglect, but with proper maintenance and checking the oil level regularly, I have no concerns about a turbo engine. I do think all turbo engines should get premium fuel as well.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Heck all my 80's turbo Dodges had coolant running to the bearing as well.
We sold our 2005 Subaru Legacy GT wagon with 240k miles/14years with original turbo.
Our current 2018 VW Tiguan with 2.0T with 166k miles has been troublefree mechanically.
Our current 2018 VW Tiguan with 2.0T with 166k miles has been troublefree mechanically.
Turbos will last a very long time with good oil and a good air filter. The worst thing you can do to a turbo is high egts (towing with a heavy foot, or climbing mountains)
The 1.9 TDIs if tuned can hit 1800f egts. Turbos don't last long once you hold them above 1200 or so
Drive gentle for the first and last 5 minutes of your drive and your turbo will be happier.
The 1.9 TDIs if tuned can hit 1800f egts. Turbos don't last long once you hold them above 1200 or so
Drive gentle for the first and last 5 minutes of your drive and your turbo will be happier.
I’ve had at least 10 Turbocharged cars since the 80’s and only lost one Turbo. It was on a ‘91 Dodge Spirit R/T with a very low production engine. Currently have 6 turbos plated on 4 vehicles. Other than proper maintenance, there’s no special treatment. I will say that it’s shocking how good and lag free the lag free the newer stuff is. My 150,000 mile ‘15 2.7 F150 tows and drives at much lower rpm than any of my previous V8 trucks. As It Turns out, Boost is a good replacement for displacement.
The 1.5T in Various Honda products appears to be quite reliable.
Even surviving the the usual owner negligence and fuel dilution.
Even surviving the the usual owner negligence and fuel dilution.
Do not misunderstand, our CVT was good too, no problems. The '17 Crosstrek ran better than new when she traded it - I said it was a good car but she wanted a change - back to basically the same thing after trying a new base Indiana Outback (local new dealer was selling them discounted only one grand more than a mid -trim MT Crosstrek! mid epidemic) but loosing a couple grand in the two transactions.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Interesting adaptation … seems ^^^ and bald-faced have been used - but it started as bare-faced (and no pony)
…
Please.
All NA engines are wonderfully reliable, right? Like, oh, I don't know, say, Hyundai?
The "turbo fear" runs rampant amongst those who have never owned a turbo.
Properly engineered, properly maintained, engines are reliable, whether NA or forced induction.
Oh, I guess the 2005 Subaru turbo I replaced 6 or 7 years ago had a bout of the flu and only needed a few days nap to recover from the belching smoke.
- Status
