The Evolution Of The Turbocharger

As indicated in a recent article of industry publication Underhood Service , the longevity of the turbocharger has increased considerably in the last 30-40 years. In the 1980s it was not uncommon for the turbocharger to fail after only 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Most failures were attributed to a lack of oil in the bearings, causing them to overheat and eventually fail.

As in a jet turbine, the turbo reaches its maximum temperature when the engine is turned off. At that point there is no new oil flowing to the turbo and what oil is remaining can eventually degrade and leave carbon deposits in the shaft and bearings, eventually leading to a failure.

During the 1990s many new vehicle manufacturers eliminated turbos in favor of larger and more powerful 6 and 8 cylinder engines. This eliminated the concern by consumers for the reliability of turbos, as well as factory warranty claims.

Today, turbochargers are more widely accepted. The main factor is that they are much more reliable thanks to better cooling systems designed to cool the turbo when the engine is turned off. Additionally, vehicle manufactures are more certain to recommend higher quality motor oils that can better handle the heat of the turbo as designated by the numbers for NOACK volatility and flash point temperature.

Lastly, many modern day vehicles have turbocharged engines which are not highly promoted by the vehicle manufacturer. These engines help vehicle manufacturers meet government requirements for higher fuel mileage while satisfying consumer demand for durability and performance. As a result, the turbocharger appears to now be a win for both the consumer and manufacturer.