Breakin in a turbo

It is absolutely VITAL that certain steps be followed when installing a new or rebuilt turbocharger on a vehicle. Failure to follow the correct procedures will not only VOID your warranty, but will also cause premature failure, or destruction of your turbocharger. (For pictures of improperly broken in turbos, mostly oil starvation issues, please scroll down.)

Before even thinking about installing a new turbo, and ESPECIALLY if you had a turbo or engine failure, you must must must must make certain that there is not a pre-existing condition with your vehicle that is causing turbos or engines to fail. On some cars, this has been notorious, such as THIS SITUATION



All these steps should be considered necessary:



1. Thoroughly clean out any oil supply lines to the turbocharger and oil coolers.



2. Change the engine oil and use a high-quality non-synthetic engine oil for turbocharger break-in.



3. Install the turbocharger and attach all bolts, lines, oil supply, etc. but DO NOT START THE CAR!!! AND DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE ANY TYPE OF SILICONE SEALANT ON THE OIL SUPPLY LINE!!!



4. Prime the oil system by cranking the engine over (WITHOUT STARTING IT) for 10-15 seconds, and repeat this step 3-5 times minimum. There are many ways to make sure that your car will not start, you can unplug the coil wire on vehicles with distributor-style ignition, or on vehicles with direct fire ignition, you can disconnect the coil packs, or the ignition relay. It is VERY important that your car DOES NOT START while pre-oiling the turbo.



5. After you have completed the above step you can start the car and allow it to idle ONLY.



6. Allow the vehicle to idle for 10-15 minutes without applying any throttle. Even at idle, the turbo can be spinning at as much as 28,000 RPM's on certain models. Use this time to check for any loose fittings, hoses, exhaust leaks, etc.



7. After idling the car as prescribed above, you may then begin to drive the car. Make every attempt to limit boost for the first 100-200 miles.


Proper break-in of a turbo, as well as proper scheduled oil changes and maintenance will ensure that your turbo lasts as long as possible.

Here are some pictures of turbos that were improperly installed or improperly broken in. By far, the most common cause of turbocharger failure is oil starvation which has the tell-tale signs of burning or scoring of internal parts. Oil starvation can lead to bushings being damaged, which in turn allows compressor and/or turbine wheels to contact their housings.


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