Repairing Guides

how much does it cost to repair a turbo

by Jeremie West Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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In general, you should expect to spend a few hundred dollars to fix the turbo. If the turbo isn’t repairable, a replacement will likely cost $1,000 to $2,000, but some owners have reported prices as low as $500 while others report prices were closer to $4000. That said, the price to fix the turbo on a car can significantly vary based on:

In general, you should expect to spend a few hundred dollars to fix the turbo. If the turbo isn't repairable, a replacement will likely cost $1,000 to $2,000, but some owners have reported prices as low as $500 while others report prices were closer to $4000.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to rebuild a turbo?

Turbo rebuild costs can vary drastically if you have damaged major components. Rebuilds start at $450 for standard journal bearing turbos, and $550 for ball bearing turbos, but remember the price will go up from there if you have damaged major components. Is it hard to rebuild a turbo? Turbochargers are expensive.

How much to replace a turbo?

Turbo replacement. The average cost of a turbo replacement when booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £868.60. Your car's turbo is designed to last a lifetime, but you may need a replacement if it becomes damaged. If you experience white/blue smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, a loss of power, and a drilling noise coming from the engine, you may need a turbo replacement.

How much does it cost to fix a turbo charger?

Turbocharger Assembly Replacement costs between $1,857 and $2,150 on average. Get a free detailed estimate for a repair in your area.

How much will it cost for brake booster repair?

To have your brake booster replaced, you are looking at a cost somewhere between $300 and $700 for the majority of cars. There are some outliers, of course, but on average, you will pay somewhere in that range. Labor costs tend to range between $100 and $170, while parts can cost as little as $150 or as much as $500.

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Can a turbo be repaired?

Firstly, you can purchase a brand new turbo and have that fitted. Alternatively, if you wish to reduce the costs, it is possible to recondition and repair the turbo you have. Naturally, the preference should be to have a new turbo as this will come with a longer warranty and will last longer than a reconditioned turbo.

Is a turbo engine expensive to fix?

Turbocharged cars are more likely to break down and are more expensive to repair, according to data from the UK's leading car warranty supplier, Warranty Direct. It found the average incidence rate of turbo failure to be 27.8 per cent – around 2.5 times that of engine failure overall at 11.3 per cent.

Can you drive a car if the turbo is broken?

When the turbo fails, you will no doubt experience a sudden loss of power. In smaller turbos, like a 91-94 Mercury Capri XR2, you will still be able to drive, albeit WAY slow and very poorly. Some have driven some 25 miles in this state. Such a drive will use over a quart of oil because of the broken seals.

How often do turbos need to be replaced?

around 150,000 milesTurbos are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle (or around 150,000 miles); however, it's possible for them to wear out over time depending on how hard you drive the car and the original build quality of the turbo.

What causes the turbo to fail?

Most failures are caused by the three 'turbo killers' of oil starvation, oil contamination and foreign object damage. More than 90% of turbocharger failures are caused oil related either by oil starvation or oil contamination. Blocked or leaking pipes or lack of priming on fitting usually causes oil starvation.

How long should a turbo last?

Owner misses every service interval by 5,000 miles, that's gonna shorten turbo life. Well over 100k miles shouldn't be a problem if looked after. If properly designed, treated and maintained, pretty much indefinitely.

What does a blown turbo sound like?

Loud noises: If your vehicle has a bad turbo, you may hear loud noises that sound like whining or screeching. So if your vehicle is running and you hear a loud whining sound that increases in volume as the problem goes unfixed, this is most likely to do a turbo problem.

How do I know if my turbo has gone?

The symptoms of a damaged or failing turbo are:Loss of power.Slower, louder acceleration.Difficulty maintaining high speeds.Blue/grey smoke coming from the exhaust.Engine dashboard light is showing.

How much does a new turbo cost?

In general, you should expect to spend a few hundred dollars to fix the turbo. If the turbo isn't repairable, a replacement will likely cost $1,000 to $2,000, but some owners have reported prices as low as $500 while others report prices were closer to $4000.

Is changing a turbo hard?

But for some reason, the turbocharger might fail or fail unexpectedly. While it's not exactly difficult to replace a turbocharger, the process requires a moderate amount of patience, expertise, and a host of tools. Also, the procedures in replacing a turbocharger will vary from one vehicle to the next.

Is a turbo engine worth it?

“Generally speaking, turbocharging is a great idea. It's a smaller engine, but you're still getting a decent amount of power,” says Mike Quincy, autos editor at Consumer Reports. “The idea with a smaller engine, especially a four-cylinder, is that you're going to get decent fuel economy without giving up power.

How do I know if my turbo is going bad?

The symptoms of a damaged or failing turbo are:Loss of power.Slower, louder acceleration.Difficulty maintaining high speeds.Blue/grey smoke coming from the exhaust.Engine dashboard light is showing.

Is it easy to replace a turbo?

While it's not exactly difficult to replace a turbocharger, the process requires a moderate amount of patience, expertise, and a host of tools. Also, the procedures in replacing a turbocharger will vary from one vehicle to the next. It also depends on the type of motor or if you're dealing with a diesel car or truck.

Do turbos require maintenance?

A turbocharger is essentially an additional component that forces more air into the combustion chamber. It makes the car produce more power as the result yet maintain fuel economy. Maintenance-wise, unlike the concerns that some car owners may have, a turbo car requires the same care as a regular car.

What is a car turbo?

Car turbos are most commonly associated with diesel and high performance vehicles, but they are also increasingly being used in petrol cars as a method of improving engine efficiency and performance. The idea behind a turbocharger is simple.

Turbo replacement average costs and prices

The average cost of a turbo replacement or repair booked via WhoCanFixMyCar is £868.60 The exact cost will depend on where you take it. The table below gives you a general idea of the costs for common car makes.

Which turbo repair or replacement service do you need?

Here are some common services that come under turbo servicing that can be booked from our network of garages:

Common turbo problems

A faulty turbo can be caused by a number of issues. Firstly, it may be the result of the wrong type or amount of engine oil. Poor quality oil or indeed the wrong oil grade can result in a buildup of carbon deposits and engine contaminants which both cause direct and abrasive damage to the part.

When should you replace a turbo?

If a turbocharger problem is ignored, then the worst thing that can happen is engine damage, which will be more expensive than a turbo replacement or repair. A faulty turbocharger needs to be replaced as soon as you notice some warning signs. If left for too long, the oil from the turbocharger can get into your catalytic converter.

Find turbo replacement and repair specialists

We can help you find local turbo replacement and repair specialist garages. If you have identified that your turbo needs attention, the next step is to find a trustworthy garage to carry out the service.

What is a Turbocharger Assembly?

This is effective, but in order to gain greater power and efficiency from a small engine, a turbocharger is used to force air into the engine, so instead of the engine pulling in air by vacuum, the engine is receiving pressurized air from what could be considered a powerful turbine.

What are the symptoms of a bad Turbocharger Assembly?

Finally, turbochargers use a wastegate to vent excess exhaust gas, preventing overpressure to the engine. When the wastegate fails, it is notorious for rattling at a certain RPM range. Other than these symptoms, power loss and oil consumption are by far the most common symptoms. A turbocharged vehicle with a completely failed turbo may not be able to start or idle, and the check engine light will certainly be displayed if the engine runs at all. Lastly, in the early stages of failure, the fuel economy of the vehicle will fall, and the catalytic converter could become ruined from excess fuel in the exhaust.

How often do Turbocharger Assemblies need replacement?

The average turbocharger will run between 100,000 and 125,000 miles, but harsh driving conditions, aftermarket components, and low quality factory parts will certainly cause the turbocharger to fail ahead of schedule. Many luxury brands focus on the use of turbochargers due to the high altitude of their home manufacturing and engineering facilities, and these manufacturers tend to use higher quality products that should last at least 150,000 miles under normal use and proper maintenance.

How are Turbocharger Assembly issues diagnosed?

Turbocharger diagnosis is a matter of pressure testing, visual inspection, and oil or coolant consumption data. Many times, a turbocharger may be failing, but several other components must be ruled out because there are no additional symptoms besides oil consumption. In the event that a turbocharger is making noise, the turbocharger will be removed and inspected with a dial indicator for the amount of play in the shaft. The impeller and compressor wheels will be inspected for degradation or damage from debris, and the turbocharger piping will be pressure tested. In the most difficult cases of diagnosis, the compressor side of the turbocharger assembly may be pressure tested, but this provides very limited data, and magnaflow testing is often a better option to identify if there are any cracks in the turbocharger housing. Finally, the presence of oil in the turbocharger downpipe is a giveaway that the turbocharger has lost its oil seal, and wear patterns on the impeller, compressor wheel, inside the turbo housing, and around the wastegate are all signs of a failed turbocharger. In the most difficult cases, the engine may be compression tested, the PCV valve replaced, and the oil changed and monitored for consumption over a short period of time. In many cases where the turbocharger is suspected of failure, the turbocharger or turbocharger piping is the culprit.

Can I replace the Turbocharger Assembly myself?

Turbocharger diagnostic testing and replacement is not recommended for the home mechanic. This is a complex system that requires a high degree of understanding to properly diagnose, and a good amount of skill to replace. Incorrect diagnostic procedures can quickly lead to damage to multiple components, and lack of experience in assembly and disassembly may cause damage and reduce reliability.

Why does my turbo make a rattling noise?

Also, a rattling and scraping noise may be heard from a turbocharger if the bearings fail as the turbines (impeller and compressor wheels) are able to rub against the inner housing of the turbocharger. Finally, turbochargers use a wastegate to vent excess exhaust gas, preventing overpressure to the engine.

What does it mean when a turbocharger is pressure tested?

When pressure testing a turbocharger system, the PCV lines should be completely blocked. If new oil is found in the exhaust or compression side of the turbocharger after the pressure test is complete, this indicates a failed turbocharger center housing rotating assembly oil seal.

What is a Turbocharger Boost Pressure Solenoid?

To vent overpressure, the boost pressure control solenoid is used to open the wastegate on demand from the engine computer. This may be a solenoid and valve combination, or a solenoid that allows air into a vacuum canister to open the wastegate.

How often do Turbocharger Boost Pressure Solenoids need replacement?

The average mileage of replacement for several vehicles is between 45,000 and 160,000 miles, so it is very difficult to understand when to expect this repair.

Can I replace the Turbocharger Boost Pressure Solenoid myself?

This is a difficult diagnosis for anyone without a diagnostic scanner. It can be done, but it will be very difficult. Since most people without a professional scan tool will likely begin replacing parts to diagnose an overboost condition, it may be more cost effective to have diagnosis performed. If the solenoid is known to be faulty, replacement is a quick and easy job for the DIY mechanic.

What is OBD trouble code?

The OBD trouble codes found stored on the ECM or PCM will only alert the technician to which component detected the failure, not which component has failed. If overboost is detected, the boost pressure sensor or manifold absolute pressure sensor may be incorrect as well.

What to do if turbocharger wastegate is not working?

If the turbocharger wastegate is not functioning, the technician will begin by inspecting for play at the wastegate control rod, wastegate actuator, and visually inspecting the boost pressure control solenoid. This will allow the technician to eliminate simple and common failures.

What happens when the solenoid opens?

When the solenoid opens it allows the wastegate to open, sometimes indirectly, and boost pressure is vented into the exhaust pipe. Upon closing, the wastegate is pulled closed by the wastegate actuator, and the turbocharger will again build pressure in the system.

What is a boost pressure control solenoid?

To vent overpressure, the boost pressure control solenoid is used to open the wastegate on demand from the engine computer. This may be a solenoid and valve combination, or a solenoid that allows air into a vacuum canister to open the wastegate.

How to find boost leaks?

To find a boost leak easily, you should use an EVAP smoke machine. With this type of device, you will find boost leaks in no-time.

What happens when you have a turbo leak?

Loss of Power. While you are accelerating, the turbo builds pressure into the boost pipes to give the car higher performance. If there is a boost leak, it will take longer to fill these pipes with pressure, and the pressure will be lower than usual. This will cause a drastic loss of power in your car engine. If the leak is big, it can even mean ...

What is check engine light?

Check Engine Light. The check engine light monitors all sensors of a car engine, including the boost pressure sensor. If there is anything wrong with the turbo boost pressure, which will be wrong if you have a boost leak – it will light up the check engine light. If you see a check engine light on your dashboard, ...

What are the symptoms of a boost leak?

Black smoke from the exhaust pipe. Poor Fuel Economy. Poor Idling. A boost leak can result in a lot of different symptoms. There are a few of them that are worth looking closer to identify a boost leak. Here is a more detailed list of the 6 most common symptoms of a boost leak.

What causes black smoke in exhaust?

If there is a leak on the pipes between the MAF sensor and the engine, there will be measured air lost. This will cause a wrong air-fuel mixture and, in most cases, a rich mixture. A too rich mixture will cause black smoke from the exhaust pipe.

Why does my turbo lag?

This issue, usually called the turbo lag, is when the turbo spools air and fuel to send into the cylinder. If this process is slower than usual, you are experiencing a boost leak. The concept is simple; due to a leak, it takes more time for a turbo to fill up the boost pipes.

Why is it important to fix a boost leak?

It is important to fix a boost leak as fast as possible because it can damage the turbocharger. Here are the most common signs to look for.

How much does a Porsche brake job cost?

Current Porsche braking systems use compound materials and depending on your specific model, a complete brake job front and rear will typically cost between $900 and $1800. It is important to use the proper grade brake pads and brake rotors for your specific Porsche. Remember NOT ALL BRAKES ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

How much synthetic oil does a Porsche use?

Today’s higher performance synthetic oils used in all late model Porsche engines can cost between $8 and $10 per liter and depending on your engine, your Porsche will use between 7 and 10 liters. Please see our technical tips section for more information regarding engine oils.

How much to fix a Porsche?

Common repairs related to vacuum leaks, oil leaks and coolant leaks can vary widely from $200 vacuum leak to a $600 oil separator or $900 water pump. Please contact the experts and German Auto Center and we will be happy to give you a detailed estimate. As always, German Auto Center will save you significantly over comparable repairs at the Porsche dealer or from a general repair shop that does not specialize in Porsche vehicles.

How much does it cost to service a Porsche?

In general, you should expect to service your Porsche every 10,000 miles or once per year . Experience has shown that a minor service including oil, filters, and inspection will cost between $200 and $400, while a major service including transmission services will cost between $400 and $600.

Can you use ceramic brake pads on a Porsche?

You should stay away from cheap aftermarket brakes that will not stop your Porsche as it is designed. Ceramic brake pads are a good aftermarket alternative and have the advantage of lower dust. Expect to pay a comparable amount to a Porsche OEM pad, but with increased stopping grip and less dust. Please stop by German Auto Center ...

Do Porsches need synthetic oil?

Remember all newer engines as well as all turbo charged engines must use a full synthetic oil such as Mobil 1. Older Porsches used mineral based oils and should not be replaced with synthetic oils.

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