Comments on: Turbos more expensive, less reliable and growing in popularity

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:52:41 +0000

From what I have seen QwkEddi, it is not the same kind of “scale like” ‘fuel based’ deposit that forms on the back of an inlet valve in a port injection/carby fuelled engine. It is more like a “sticky” oil based deposit caused by blow-by and/or crankcase ventilation and the like. This IMHO is due to no fuel “cleaning” the back of the inlet valves like you get in a port injected/carby engine. It is one of those things where removing cause of the carbon ‘fuel based’ “scale like” deposits by using direct injection has caused an even more gruesome “oily” deposit on the back of inlet valves. Not to mention it is also harder to prevent/clean than the “scale like” deposits on the back of port injection/carby engine. You are not wrong with it being even more important to use a good oil and replace it often!

By: Robin Graves

Robin Graves — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:05:46 +0000

All I’m trying to say is lifters can and do fail as well. Trucks, tractors, earthmoving equipment, boats all have used turbos for years and cover millions of kilometers, but they tend to maintain strict servicing and warm up / cool down regimes.

By: Low Water Crossing

Low Water Crossing — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:42:10 +0000

C’mon Robin,your trying too argue a lifter is under more stress than a turbo shaft and bearing.The shaft can be bent,the wheels can crack,the bearing can grind into the housing.Turbos are best as a performance option,which appeal more to car/driving enthusiasts and who are more likely too maintain there car properly.The average joe is likly to be less stringant with there servicing and letting the turbo warm up and cool down.

By: Robin Graves

Robin Graves — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:25:26 +0000

Not necessarily – if its balanced and has been designed for such temps no problem. Lifters have huge compression loads, high hydraulic pressure and are trying to seal using dirty oil – and are rubbing against the cam lobes if non-roller type. I hear what your saying but one shaft and a wastegate as against a few hundred parts is hardly statistically relevant. Like I’ve said elsewhere this data seems flawed to me, but hey – I could be wrong.

By: AAA

AAA — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:37:05 +0000

Turbo + supercharger = more things to go wrong.

By: Car Fanatic

Car Fanatic — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:06:30 +0000

Prove your wild claims or you will feel my Wrath!!!! By the power of greyskull!!!!!!

By: QwkEddie

QwkEddie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:04:53 +0000

Just be very careful when buying 2nd hand turbo cars like the GTI.I would say that the engine will most likely give out before the turbo.
Now with the “direct injection craze”it is even more important to regularly service a turbo car and have top notch oil etc because of the higher than normal carbon build up in the valves/valve seats.

By: Low Water Crossing

Low Water Crossing — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:41:11 +0000

turbos impeller/copressor wheels can spin up to 150000rpm at over 1000°c which means its under alot more stress than lifter.

By: Car Fanatic

Car Fanatic — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:56:34 +0000

as the Mk V is still available in the R32 to buy new, I think I’m right, so this if you only include this or that is not a valid argument.

But thank you for pointing that out.

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:53:42 +0000

Well, PogO is right if you only count the Mk VI, just like you are right if you include the Mk V!