Most folks know that a turbocharger adds a 'power boost' to a vehicle’s engine, and that they’re commonly found in sporty imports and exotic supercars.
Turbocharged cars are popular with performance buffs in the new and used car markets, though some folks actually avoid them due to unfamiliarity or worries about long-term reliability. Fact is, they are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to larger displacement engines.
In simple terms, a turbocharger is an air compressor driven by exhaust gas. The 'guts' of a turbo consist of two turbines attached to one another by a metal shaft. Each turbine sits within its own housing, and the two housings are sealed off from one another.
Hot exhaust gases flow through the housing on one side of the turbo, forcing the first turbine to spin rapidly. In turn, this spins the shaft, as well as the turbine connected to the other end.
Said turbine on the other end is called an 'impeller'. It's exposed to the engine's fresh air supply, and compresses incoming air as it spins. This compressed air is often, but not always, forced first through an ‘intercooler’ to reduce its temperature, and then into the engine.
Sending compressed air into the combustion chamber allows an engine to burn more fuel and make more power. However, in doing its job, the turbocharger spins at incredible speeds and gets very, very hot.
High-speed moving parts and extreme heat are good ingredients for wear-- which is just why modern turbochargers have coolant and oil pumping through them to keep temperatures in check. Because of this, most turbochargers last the life of the vehicle if they're not abused, and if regular maintenance procedures are followed.
Key word above: 'if'.
Neglect and modification can fry a turbocharger faster than a burger at your favorite greasy spoon-- and changing a turbo isn't cheap business. As such, those looking at an older turbocharged car with an unknown history are advised to perform a few checks for signs of turbo trouble.
Turbocharged cars are popular with performance buffs in the new and used car markets, though some folks actually avoid them due to unfamiliarity or worries about long-term reliability. Fact is, they are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to larger displacement engines.
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In simple terms, a turbocharger is an air compressor driven by exhaust gas. The 'guts' of a turbo consist of two turbines attached to one another by a metal shaft. Each turbine sits within its own housing, and the two housings are sealed off from one another.
Hot exhaust gases flow through the housing on one side of the turbo, forcing the first turbine to spin rapidly. In turn, this spins the shaft, as well as the turbine connected to the other end.
Said turbine on the other end is called an 'impeller'. It's exposed to the engine's fresh air supply, and compresses incoming air as it spins. This compressed air is often, but not always, forced first through an ‘intercooler’ to reduce its temperature, and then into the engine.
Sending compressed air into the combustion chamber allows an engine to burn more fuel and make more power. However, in doing its job, the turbocharger spins at incredible speeds and gets very, very hot.
High-speed moving parts and extreme heat are good ingredients for wear-- which is just why modern turbochargers have coolant and oil pumping through them to keep temperatures in check. Because of this, most turbochargers last the life of the vehicle if they're not abused, and if regular maintenance procedures are followed.
Key word above: 'if'.
Neglect and modification can fry a turbocharger faster than a burger at your favorite greasy spoon-- and changing a turbo isn't cheap business. As such, those looking at an older turbocharged car with an unknown history are advised to perform a few checks for signs of turbo trouble.
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