How Often Should a Turbocharger Be Cleaned?

[OTessa]

Turbochargers generally have a service life of about 5 to 6 years and should be cleaned approximately every 10,000 kilometers. A turbocharger is essentially an air compressor that increases air intake by compressing air. With prolonged use, the turbo shaft may leak oil under high temperatures, which then combines with impurities, dust from the air, and carbon deposits from recycled exhaust gases, forming accumulated sludge. This sludge can affect the performance of turbocharged vehicles. The working principle of a turbocharger is as follows: it utilizes the inertial force of exhaust gases expelled by the engine to drive the turbine in the turbo chamber, which in turn drives the coaxial impeller. The impeller compresses air delivered through the air filter pipe, pressurizing it before it enters the cylinders. As the engine speed increases, the exhaust gas expulsion speed and turbine speed also increase simultaneously, allowing the impeller to compress more air into the cylinders. The increased pressure and density of the air enable the combustion of more fuel, and by adjusting the fuel quantity and engine speed accordingly, the engine's output power can be enhanced.