What a turbo rebuild involves
A turbo repair (also called a rebuild or reconditioning) means taking the turbo apart down to the last bolt, cleaning and measuring every part, and replacing whatever is worn. The aim is to return the turbo to a condition that matches a new one – clearances, free rotation, balance and correct boost control.
Most failures are in the so-called cartridge – the shaft, bearings and seals. The compressor and turbine housings can usually be reused, which makes a rebuild much more affordable than buying a new genuine turbo.
When a turbo can be repaired
Repair is possible in the vast majority of cases – worn bearings, shaft play, oil leaks, whistling, sticking geometry or a failed actuator. A rebuild isn’t economical when the turbine housing is cracked, the compressor housing is badly scored by a broken wheel, or the cost of the parts approaches the price of a new turbo. In that case we’ll offer you a new or remanufactured unit.
Why turbos fail
Turbos rarely fail “by themselves”. Around 90% of failures have an external cause that has to be found and fixed – otherwise the rebuilt turbo won’t last either:
- Oil starvation – low oil level, a blocked or coked oil feed pipe, a wrongly fitted gasket.
- Dirty or old oil – abrasive particles score the bearings and shaft.
- Foreign object damage – grit, a piece of gasket or a broken component strikes the blades.
- Overheating – switching off straight after hard driving cokes the oil in the bearings.
- High back-pressure – a blocked DPF or catalytic converter forces oil past the seals.
- High crankcase pressure – blocked ventilation or worn piston rings stop oil draining from the turbo.
- Overspeeding – tuning or a boost leak makes the turbo spin faster than designed.
Rebuild vs. new turbo
A quality rebuild with good parts and balancing gives performance comparable to a new turbo for a fraction of the price. Cheap “repairs” without balancing and with the lowest-grade kits often last only a few thousand kilometres. That’s why our rebuilds always include balancing and set-up – steps that should never be skipped.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a turbo repair cost?
It depends on the turbo model and the extent of the damage. After an inspection we’ll tell you the exact price before starting work.
Can I bring in just the turbo?
Yes, you can bring in a removed turbo directly. It helps to know the make, model and engine of the car.
What gets replaced in a turbo rebuild?
Bearings, piston-ring seals and O-rings are always replaced. If needed, also the shaft-and-turbine wheel, compressor wheel, geometry mechanism or actuator.