What mileage do turbos fail?

Turbos are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle (or around 150,000 miles); however, it's possible for them to wear out over time depending on how hard you drive the car and the original build quality of the turbo.


How often do turbos fail?

Less than 1% of turbos fail because of manufacturing defects. Most failures are caused by the three 'turbo killers' of oil starvation, oil contamination and foreign object damage.

How often should turbos be replaced?

Ideally, your turbocharger should last roughly the same time as your vehicle. Specifically, most turbochargers need replacement between 100,000 to 150,000 miles. If you stay on top of car maintenance and scheduled oil changes, your turbocharger can potentially last beyond that.


What are the signs of a turbo failing?

The most common signals that you may have a blown turbo are:
  • The car has noticeable power loss.
  • The acceleration of the car seems slow and noisy.
  • The car doesn't easily maintain high speeds.
  • There is smoke coming from the exhaust.
  • There is an engine fault light on the dashboard.


Can I still drive my car if the turbo has gone?

The vehicle can run without an efficiently functioning turbocharger, but it will perform poorly, and your decision could possibly have dramatic repercussions. If the issue is an oil supply or internal component-related problem, complete failure is imminent.


8 Signs of turbo going bad



What is the average life of a turbo?

Turbos are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle (or around 150,000 miles); however, it's possible for them to wear out over time depending on how hard you drive the car and the original build quality of the turbo.

How much does replacing a turbo cost?

The national cost for a turbocharger assembly replacement in 2022 is between $282 and $2441 with an average of $967.

How do you check a turbo for wear?

First, remove the exhaust pipe all the way to the turbo, so you can see the turbine wheel. This should look clean, with no carbon build up, scale or oil along the surface, and the blades should be free from cracks, wear and damage.


Do turbochargers need maintenance?

Turbocharged engines will require more frequent oil changes and fresh spark plugs, though turbo engines typically don't require additional service compared to naturally aspirated engines.

Do turbos shorten engine life?

No. today's turbochargers are designed to last the lifespan of the vehicle. The truth is, boosted engines require the same amount of maintenance and care that a naturally aspirated engine does. Does a turbocharger decrease the life of an engine?

How often do turbos need maintenance?

Regular Oil Maintenance

For the best performance from a turbocharger, change the oil at least every 5,000 miles, replacing it with a fully-synthetic oil which is the right API for your car's engine type. Your vehicle's handbook should recommend the best choice of oil for your car.


Are turbos expensive to fix?

The Best in Auto Repair

The average cost for turbocharger assembly replacement is between $1,904 and $2,199. Labor costs are estimated between $474 and $598 while parts are priced between $1,430 and $1,601. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.

Do turbo engines need premium gas?

Not all turbocharged cars need premium gas, but it's a more common requirement among turbos than other kinds of engines, thanks to the way these engines work. The name turbo comes from the turbine these engines use to inject more air into the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

What should you not do with a turbo engine?

5 Things You Shouldn't Do In A Turbocharged Vehicle
  1. Don't Run Your Car Immediately. Firstly, don't run your vehicle straight away after you turn it on. ...
  2. Don't Switch Off Immediately. ...
  3. Don't Lug Your Engine. ...
  4. Octane Fuel - Don't Use Lower Than Recomended. ...
  5. If You Have A Laggy Turbo - Don't Mash The Throttle.


What wears out on a turbo?

Lack of oil and lubrication – the turbo needs a good flow of clean oil to keep it working properly. It can suffer from a build-up of carbon deposits and contaminants that reduce its effectiveness, and can even cause it to completely break down over time.

What does a healthy turbo sound like?

As many fans of a turbocharged engine will know, a turbo often makes a whistling sound. This whistle is the sound of the turbo operating effectively, also known as 'spooling up'.

What color smoke is a blown turbo?

A leaking turbo will usually present itself through white smoke exiting the exhaust. Usually the white smoke will result from the turbo leaking oil internally but will occasionally result from internal coolant leakage.


What kills a turbo?

Anytime a turbocharger ingests something — be it dirt, dust, a shop rag or a bolt left in the intake — it can spell disaster. Unfortunately, outside debris making its way across the blades of a compressor wheel (the intake side) accounts for 80 percent of all turbo failures.

Will regular gas damage a turbo engine?

Using regular gas will not only affect the engine's performance, it will also impact its long-term health and operation, because it wasn't designed for this type of fuel.

What happens if you put regular gas in a turbo car?

Using regular gas in an engine that requires premium could void your warranty. That is most likely to happen if using regular causes severe engine knock or pinging (premature ignition of the fuel, also known as detonation) that damages the pistons or other engine parts.


Does turbo eat more gas?

A turbocharged engine turns into a fuel-hog under hard acceleration, because the large volume of air being pumped into the cylinders must be matched by a larger volume of fuel. Explaining the abnormally high consumption of a turbocharged engine under high load takes us into some interesting areas of engineering.

How long do factory turbos last?

Large heavy duty turbo diesel engines will last 500,000 miles or more. Turbo engines are usually built stronger than regular naturally aspirated engines, so as long as they are maintained properly, they'll run for a long time.

Which is more reliable supercharger or turbo?

Superchargers are arguably more reliable than turbochargers. They're easy to install and maintain. They're louder than turbochargers—they enhance the RPMs by a considerable amount—and they're also more common as a result.


Should you let a turbo car idle before turning it off?

Take care of your turbo so that it gives your engine adequate boost and thus, an enjoyable driving experience for years to come. When Starting Off (especially in the morning): Let the car idle for 30 (minimum) - 60 (maximum) seconds before you drive off.

Do turbos cause reliability issues?

Today's turbocharged engines are much more reliable, and it's rare to have major problems with a modern engine, whether it's turbocharged or not.