Turbo Repair

Sometimes, the turbocharger on a car might go bad. Warning signs include high-pitched whining, poor performance (not accompanied by fuel system problems), or fluid leaking from the turbo housing or attach points.

Note that if your turbo is not in working condition (has failed), it's likely that it cannot be rebuilt except by a professional. It's usually better to purchase a replacement rather than attempt a rebuild.

Turbo Repair / Rebuild Kits

There are several brands making turbocharger repair and rebuild kits. These kits include nearly everything required to rebuild a turbo, including bearings, clips, etc.

Be aware that with these kits, you generally get what you pay for. The very cheap ones are likely not made of quality parts. Look for guarantees of OEM compatibility or ask your local dealership if they recommend a specific kit or brand.

Repairing Your Turbo

Repairing or rebuilding your turbocharger is often a table-top or bench-top job. Once it's removed from the car, you can usually work with it away from the vehicle in a more comfortable environment. It's recommended that you have catch pans or flat work tops so that you do not lose parts as the typical turbo has a lot of small working parts inside.

A turbocharger will have three basic components: a turbine housing, a cartridge, and a propeller housing. These have an EXACT alignment with one another dictated by the common shaft. Be sure to mark the housings clearly and in a way that will not smudge (paint, punch, or scratch) so that you can re-align them perfectly when you re-assemble the turbo.

Be careful when separating the three components so that you do not damage the shaft or turbine. You may need a vise and a lot of patience to get them apart without incident.

Inspect the propeller closely for signs of damage and make sure that the housing around it does not show signs of marring from errant propeller blades. A common turbo failure (or warning sign of it) is a mis-aligned or off-balance propeller. This can cause a myriad of problems including broken seals (from excess wobble), low air flow, etc.

Tear down each component individually starting with the propeller housing and then the other two. Some prefer to tear down and rebuild one at a time so it's easier to keep track of parts while others tear down all three before rebuilding to be sure that they are all in working order so the rebuild is not wasted.

Be sure to replace every ring, seal, bearing, etc. If it's in your kit, it should be replaced.