Toyota going to turbos

[Challenger71]

I'll pass on any forced induction engine, irregardless of manufacturer. In order for them to run properly without issue they need additional attention and maintenance beyond what an atmospheric engine requires. Procrastinate on this maintenance (and most will due to lack of discipline) and you lose.

High tech and fast kool-aid drinkers love the feeling they get in these vehicles but are short lived fantasies when issues go south. The vast majority of the time these forced induction engines are daily driven and do nothing but drive from red light to red light like everyone else. So you beat me to the next red light? Way to support your stellar ego. The take away message here is that forced induction, forged internals go through extreme pressures and Murphy's law (not to mention physics and thermodynamics) come into play quickly if not tuned and maintained consistently.

 

[Rickey]

Originally Posted By: Challenger71
I'll pass on any forced induction engine, irregardless of manufacturer. In order for them to run properly without issue they need additional attention and maintenance beyond what an atmospheric engine requires. Procrastinate on this maintenance (and most will due to lack of discipline) and you lose.

High tech and fast kool-aid drinkers love the feeling they get in these vehicles but are short lived fantasies when issues go south. The vast majority of the time these forced induction engines are daily driven and do nothing but drive from red light to red light like everyone else. So you beat me to the next red light? Way to support your stellar ego. The take away message here is that forced induction, forged internals go through extreme pressures and Murphy's law (not to mention physics and thermodynamics) come into play quickly if not tuned and maintained consistently.


OK please don't take this in a negative fashion.... I'm going to use my GM vehicle as an example to defend Toyota's technology in this instance.

Yes this is against my GM biased nature.

My GM vehicle ('07 Solstice GXP) is both DI and turbo! Should be a real nightmare right?
So far it has been flawless.
Maintenance you say?
Other than using 4718M spec oil,a good filter, follow the OLM, there are no special procedures about it. UOA's have confirmed this to my satisfaction.

I do however remember turbo'ed Corvairs, 215 Olds Jetfires,etc.
Those could be a real pain. That was 40 plus years ago.

IMHO modern machining, maintenance, materials, and other technology has made turbo longevity a non-issue for any responsible manufacturer.

Caution: sarcasm ahead: (I can't help it sorry)
Now after having loved-up to Toyota I think I need a cigarette.

(PS:I don't smoke)

Rickey.

 

[Challenger71]

Long term longevity is appropriate in this case.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: grampi
If all manufacturers start flooding the market with turbos, news will get out even to the dummies. Look at all the diehard big 3 devotees who converted over to the Japanese makes and are now going back to the big 3. Word gets out...
Apparently some at Ford and GM missed that memo. Ford with the new EcoBoost TurboDI engines as currently used in the new Taurus SHO. And, as mentioned, the new Chevy Cruze is turbocharged.

Send in the dummies.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Rickey,

Let us know when you've got 150k miles on that Solstice. BTW, cool little car, my fishing buddy has one and the GXP is a huge performer.

Maybe you trade early and often. Then who cares?

But LONG TERM is the issue here, not fun factor or low maintenance.

In my world there are still many issues with DI yet to be faced. I've already had import-owning friends who have spent thousands repairing their Audi with DI. I sure hope the General has something that Audi doesn't!

 

[Rickey]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Rickey,

Let us know when you've got 150k miles on that Solstice. BTW, cool little car, my fishing buddy has one and the GXP is a huge performer.

Maybe you trade early and often. Then who cares?

But LONG TERM is the issue here, not fun factor or low maintenance.

In my world there are still many issues with DI yet to be faced. I've already had import-owning friends who have spent thousands repairing their Audi with DI. I sure hope the General has something that Audi doesn't!


Admittedly it will take a while for 150K.
(Almost 40K now)
It's a toy and a keeper. I expect it to last at least until I graduate from the nursing home!

I attempt to make the point that the trend with turbo's has been increased reliability over the years.

I can't argue with the notion that simple is more reliable either.
However consider that applying KISS to electronics would have resulted in no home computers, etc.
Industries must make some mistakes in order to learn.
Some will be beta testers. I postulate that turbo's have exited the beta testing stage.
As you have aptly pointed out, time will tell.

Rickey.

 

[Autobahn88]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Which nobody are you talking about ?


You ever seen a turbo anything last 200-300K miles or more? I never have.


My old 87 Saab 900T had 340 000kms with the original turbo and was still running great when I sold it. Body was only issue with the car. So yes. Turbos can be reliable.

 

[Challenger71]

Autobahn, what was the boost level on those vintage Saabs? Was it mild or wild? Mild boosted applications do have a tendency to survive substantially longer intervals before grenading. Saab seems to be the king in this aspect.

 

[Autobahn88]

It typically ran between 10 to 15 psi. I can't recall what the boost was set on the SPG models.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: brianl703
I've seen quite a few Saabs go over 200K.


It's not nearly as common to see turbos lasting 200-300K as it is naturally aspirated engines, and until they get to that point (if they ever do), a lot of people will be aprehensive about buying a turbo....


I've owned one of those SAABS. A 1985 Turbo sedan. Racked up 205,000mi on the original turbo before it needed replacing. And it didn't have a water-cooled bushing either. I credit the long life to synthetic oil and opening the hood after getting home to let all the heat out.

I sold the car years later with 256,000+ mi on it. Never burned any oil. It's all about maintainence!