How to Maintain a Turbocharged Engine?
2 Answers
Turbocharged engine maintenance should pay attention to not leaving without warming up the engine, not shutting down immediately, keeping it clean, and frequently checking the operation of the turbocharger, etc. A turbocharged engine refers to an engine equipped with a turbocharger, which increases the intake air volume by compressing air. It uses the inertial impulse of the exhaust gas discharged by the engine to drive the turbine in the turbine chamber, which in turn drives the coaxial impeller. The impeller then pressurizes the air delivered from the air filter pipeline, forcing it into the cylinder. The following are detailed explanations: 1. Remember not to leave without warming up the engine: After starting the engine, let it idle for a while to allow the lubricating oil to fully lubricate the bearings before the turbocharger rotor operates at high speed. Therefore, never rev the engine hard immediately after starting to prevent damage to the turbocharger oil seal. 2. Do not shut down immediately: After the engine has been running at high speed for a long time, let it idle for 3-5 minutes before shutting down. 3. Keep it clean: Clean the air filter on time to prevent dust and other impurities from entering the high-speed rotating compressor impeller, which could cause unstable speed or increased wear on the shaft sleeve and seals. 4. Frequently check the operation of the turbocharger: Before driving and after parking, check the connections of the air ducts to prevent loosening or detachment, which could lead to turbocharger failure and short-circuiting of air into the cylinder.
After driving turbocharged cars for so many years, I believe the core of maintenance is to prevent the turbo from overheating. The most important thing is to use full synthetic oil with a viscosity that's not too low - I recommend 5W-30, changing it every 5,000 kilometers. Because the turbo spins at high speeds, conventional oil can't withstand the high temperatures and may cause bearing failure. Let the engine warm up for a minute or two before driving, and avoid stomping on the accelerator when starting - this reduces bearing wear. Let the engine idle for about 30 seconds before shutting off to allow the turbo to cool down, otherwise the high temperatures can cause seal aging or oil leaks. I also make sure to regularly check the air filter and replace it when dirty to prevent insufficient airflow from affecting boost efficiency. On weekends when I have time, I check if the intercooler has accumulated dust - cleaning it can improve engine efficiency. These habits take some time but save major repair costs. My car has run 100,000 kilometers and the turbo still performs like new.
