Introduction
And all road cars use turbos to boost performance and efficiency, but they can eventually go wrong. So when your turbo starts to fail, what do you do? Well, replacing it can be very expensive, so a lot of owners are now turning to turbo reconditioning instead – a process of refurbishing a worn turbo to the same condition as a brand-new unit. In this article, we explain how it’s done and why it’s a great way to keep your car performing at its best, without blowing your budget.
Understanding Turbo Recondition
Turbo reconditioning is known as turbo refurbishment, which means we restore a used turbocharger to its prime working condition by taking it apart, cleaning every part, inspecting every part, replacing worn or damaged parts, and putting it back together again to meet or exceed the original specifications. This assures the turbo will continue to give you the boost you need to make your engine perform better.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Turbo Recondition
Low Cost vs Replacement: One of the biggest Benefits of Turbo Recondition is the costs compared to replacement. A new turbo can be so expensive, especially on high performance vehicles or rare models. Reconditioning a turbo is a fraction of the cost, because it uses existing parts and remanufactures them.
Lengthened Turbo Lifespan: With reconditioning, the life span of your turbocharger is lengthened. By handling wear and tear issues and fixing damaged parts, you can keep your unit out of the shop for longer, and delay a pricey replacement.
Lower Labour Costs: Re-manufacturing your turbocharger usually requires much less labour than fitting a new one, the process is very often faster and the parts can usually be replaced at a lower labour cost, saving you downtime on your vehicle.
Avoiding Hidden Expenses: A new turbo might require additional parts or modifications to pair with your engine. These hidden expenses can add up very fast. Reconditioning your existing turbo avoids all of these hidden expenses, making the install a no-brainer.
The Reconditioning Process
Initial Inspection: The rebuild process basically starts with… Well, inspections! We inspect the turbocharger to find out what is obviously wrong with this turbo. We try to identify which parts needs to be refurbished or replaced.
The turbo is now stripped to its basic components. Each individual piece is cleaned to remove carbon deposits, oil residues and other unwanted dirt – ensuring that it is in the best condition for inspection.
Component Inspection and Replacement: Each component is inspected for wear and damage. Components that fail to comply with OEM standards are replaced with new quality replacement parts. Typical worn components are bearings, seals and turbine wheels.
Reassembly and Balancing: The turbocharger is reassembled with new or refurbished parts and then balanced for smooth operation so that it doesn’t vibrate, which would cause it to wear out prematurely.
Final Testing: The refurbished turbo is thoroughly tested to guarantee its performance and conformance with original specifications. This step ensures maximum reliability and efficiency in the refurbished unit.
Environmental Benefits
It is an ecological and affordable turbo recondition. Reconditioning helps reduce the demand for new parts by repurposing existing components, thereby reducing the environmental cost (such as carbon footprint, toxin release and energy use) of manufacturing new parts. This helps to make reconditioning an integral part of ecological car maintenance.
Improved Vehicle Performance
A refurbished turbocharger will deliver as much thrust as a new one A reworked turbo will have the same power as a newly manufactured one, so your car will feel as if it was just out of the showroom. A refurbished turbocharger will deliver as much thrust as a new one and this will power the engine, resulting in improved acceleration and fuel economy, which leads to a better driving experience and lower operational costs.
Reliability and Peace of Mind
So, you can expect most professional turbo reconditioners to give you a warranty on their work - which adds another layer of protection for you, reassuring you that you’re getting a top-notch reconditioned turbo that will reliably serve you for years to come. Should you encounter any problems after getting your turbo reconditioned, you can turn to the service provider for help in putting things right. So, you can rest assured that your turbo has been professionally reconditioned by an expert, which will give you the confidence to drive it knowing that your engine is in good shape.
Turbo Recondition vs. Other Solutions
With a failing turbocharger the customer can get it reconditioned, replaced or buy it remanufactured. The following presents a comparison between three alternatives. The first alternative is to recondition the turbo, the second is to replace it with a new one, and the third alternative is to buy it remanufactured. Here is the comparison between these three alternatives:
Turbo Recondition: As discussed before, reconditioning is the least expensive, environmental friendly and reliable method. It adds another year to your old turbo which helps you save a lot of money by restoring the service life of the turbo.
― Replace the Turbo: A brand-new turbocharger is the most expensive option but delivers the maximum reliability and performance. This is great for vehicles that see a lot of use or for high-performance models, but it’s a costly option.
Used/Remanufactured Turbo: A previously used turbo that has been rebuilt by the manufacturer to almost-new condition. Usually less expensive than an all-new turbo, but still expensive – and the quality varies by remanufacturer.
Making the Right Choice
When deciding whether to recondition your turbocharger, consider the following factors:
Budget: If budget is a concern, reconditioned turbochargers are an affordable option that still provides a high-performing and reliable unit.
Age and Value of the Vehicle: For older vehicles that may not be worth the cost of a new turbocharger, a reconditioned turbocharger for the original make and model is a cost-effective solution to keep the vehicle on the road and its value.
Environmental impact: Reconditioning is sustainable as it reduces waste and saves on raw goods.
Performance Needs: If your car needs to operate at the highest level, make sure that the reconditioned turbo meets or exceeds the original specifications. Reputable reconditioning shops will ensure this
Conclusion
Turbo recondition is the best option if you are looking for an ecofriendly and smart solution to breathe new life into your turbocharger. Reconditioning your turbo is a cost-effective option with huge savings over purchasing a brand-new turbocharger while extending the life of the current unit. The process involves inspecting, cleaning and replacing parts that are worn out.Turbo recondition is the best option if you are looking for an ecofriendly and smart solution to breathe new life into your turbocharger. Reconditioning your turbo is a cost-effective option with huge savings over purchasing a brand-new turbocharger while extending the life of the current unit. The process involves inspecting, cleaning and replacing parts that are worn out.