Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to the questions our customers ask most often. If yours isn’t here – just give us a call.
How much does a turbo repair cost?
It depends on the turbo model and the extent of the damage – whether it only needs bearings and seals, a new wheel, shaft or a complete cartridge, and whether it has variable geometry and an electronic actuator. After an inspection we’ll give you an exact price before any work starts. A repair is almost always much cheaper than a new genuine turbo.
How long does the repair take?
It depends on parts availability for your specific model and whether the turbo needs to be removed from the car. We’ll give you an exact timeframe after diagnosing and inspecting the turbo.
Can I drive with a failing turbo?
Briefly and gently – only if there is no metallic noise, heavy smoke or a sudden rise in oil consumption. If you hear grinding, see a cloud of blue smoke or find oil in the intercooler, stop the engine: a disintegrating wheel or oil in the cylinders can damage the engine and make the repair many times more expensive.
Repair or a new turbo – which is better?
Done properly – with quality parts, balancing and set-up – a rebuilt turbo works like new. A new turbo makes sense when the housings are cracked or badly worn, or when the repair cost approaches the price of a new one. We’ll tell you honestly what’s most sensible in your case.
Why does balancing matter?
A turbo’s rotor spins at up to roughly 200,000–250,000 rpm. Even a tiny imbalance at that speed causes vibration, whistling and rapid bearing wear. That’s why every quality rebuild includes balancing the rotating parts.
What is variable turbo geometry (VNT/VGT)?
It is a ring of movable vanes around the turbine wheel that changes the direction and speed of the exhaust gases. It lets the turbo respond quickly at low revs and stops it over-boosting at high revs. Over time the vanes get covered in soot and stick – the car then goes into limp mode or loses power.
What do fault codes P0299 or P0234 mean?
P0299 means boost pressure is lower than requested (underboost) and P0234 means it is higher (overboost). The cause may be the turbo, but it is often the hoses, intercooler, solenoid, vacuum system or pressure sensor. That’s why we always diagnose before repairing.
Why did my new turbo fail again?
The most common reasons are oil starvation (a blocked or old oil feed line, low oil level), contaminated oil, a foreign object in the intake, a blocked DPF or catalytic converter, a blocked oil drain or high crankcase pressure. If the root cause isn’t fixed, the new turbo will fail too.
Do I need to change the oil when replacing a turbo?
Yes – always. The oil and oil filter are changed, the oil feed pipe is checked or replaced, and the intercooler and hoses are cleaned. Before first start-up the turbo is primed with oil. These steps are essential for a long life.
Do you repair turbos on petrol engines?
Yes. We work on diesel and petrol turbochargers, including modern small-capacity turbo petrol engines (TSI, TFSI, EcoBoost, PureTech, THP, TCe).
Can I bring in just the turbo, without the car?
Yes. If you or another garage have already removed the turbo, you can bring it in directly. Please bring the details of the car and engine as well, if you can.
Do you remove and refit turbos?
Yes, we remove and fit turbos, together with the essential related work – oil and filter change, oil line checks and intercooler cleaning.
Do you sell new turbos and cartridges?
Yes – we supply new turbos, remanufactured turbos, cartridges (CHRA) and repair kits. The right choice depends on the model and your budget.
How do I find out which turbo my car has?
The part number is on a plate or engraved on the turbo housing. If you can’t see it, we can identify the exact model from the VIN and engine code.
Is your turbo giving you trouble?
Call us – we’ll tell you what the problem is likely to be and what the most sensible fix is, before you spend money you don’t need to.