Hot Running Automotive Turbochargers

An article in the April 2018 edition of industry publication Lubes'N'Greases draws attention to the modern day automotive turbocharger. As stated in the article, first introduced over 60 years ago, the turbocharger has made significant changes.

The turbocharger pushes compressed air into the engine cylinders, increasing the air-to-fuel ratio and allowing a more efficient fuel burn. The process can cause some engine oils to form deposits as a result of the high heat created by the turbocharger. Studies have shown that oil temperatures can reach up to 572 F during operation and over 1,000 F in hot spots when turned off due to a lack of circulating air. The result can be deposit formation in the drive shaft bearings and oil inlet passages which can interfere with oil flow and ultimately lead to equipment failure.

Although new testing procedures are being developed to ensure that motor oils provide protection significant enough to protect hot running turbochargers, what should motorists do to protect their vehicles from a significant repair bill? Always let the turbocharger cool before turning off the vehicle. For most trips this may only mean 30 seconds of idling. For extended trips where the motor has been working hard, you may want to wait a minute or two. This procedure will allow the oil temperature in the turbocharger to decrease significantly, thus lessening the likelihood of premature failure.