What's the Life Expectancy of a TurboCharger (WRX)?

[pcmodem]

Howdy,
Am considering the purchase of a new Subaru Impreza WRX sedan in the next few months, but have a question regarding the turbo and thus engine longevity and reliability:

What's the life expectancy of a turbo for a car like the Subaru Impreza WRX?

Note that the Impreza's turbo apparently draws air from the hood scoop and is intercooled, from what I've read. Does this mean it's not pulling air from the exhaust?

Thanks,
PCM

 

[fastz28]

Do not up the boost and it'll last a while. But the temptation to up the boost is great, so I'll give you 15k miles.

BTW:

l
l
l
l
l
v

 

[saltedeggman]

The WRX is in its first year of production here in the US, so i don't know reliability about the WRX...however over the world, the WRX has been in production since the 90's and is popular among young enthusiasts.

there is a hood scoop for the purpose of cold air drawn in and to cool the intercooler in the engine department. That doesn't mean the turbo isn't driven by the exhaust gas

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

YMMV

 

[b0mbrman]

How does its endurance compare with a car that doesn't have a turbo?

 

[Rent]

<< How does its endurance compare with a car that doesn't have a turbo? >>



Because it was turbocharged out of the factory, certain internal upgrades have been done to the engine to make sure failure does not occur. It should run as long as any normal car - ~150k if you're nice to it. If you beat on it, expect some costly repairs.

 

[Viper GTS]

<< Howdy,
Am considering the purchase of a new Subaru Impreza WRX sedan in the next few months, but have a question regarding the turbo and thus engine longevity and reliability:

What's the life expectancy of a turbo for a car like the Subaru Impreza WRX?

Note that the Impreza's turbo apparently draws air from the hood scoop and is intercooled, from what I've read. Does this mean it's not pulling air from the exhaust?

Thanks,
PCM >>



Turbos are exhaust powered, but they pull fresh air.

Viper GTS

 

[GoSharks]

my dad's mercedes 300sd (far from a performance car, but still turbo) has i think about 200k miles on it, and the engine is still great

 

[KokomoGST]

<< YMMV >>

Definitely, your actual turbo can last for the lifetime of your car... other times you'll need a new one after about half the life of the car... it really does depend on maintenance and the quality/design of the actual turbocharger (bearings, housing, etc).

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

<<

<< YMMV >>

Definitely, your actual turbo can last for the lifetime of your car... other times you'll need a new one after about half the life of the car... it really does depend on maintenance and the quality/design of the actual turbocharger (bearings, housing, etc). >>


Hit the nail on the head. I've seen turbo'd cars last as long (or longer) than n/a cars. A quality turbo setup properly installed should last as long as you need it. Now for the actual engine, drivetrain, etc, that's a different beast altogether.

I stand by my original comment: YMMV!

 

[WA261]

main thing is to watch your seals....make sure you catch any leak....if you dont, you will burn it up quick....besides that, turbos have really been perfected....they dont just "go out"(unless you have not been taking proper care of your car)

 

[mastertech01]

Back in the days when Turbo Chargers were primarily oil cooled their life expectancy was shortened substantially by lack of regular (every 3000 miles or less) oil changes. Now that they are primarily water cooled they last much longer on average. As with all things in life you have some that dont last long due to design flaws, and some that outlive the average due to very lucky design and manufacturing perfection. I would say more Turbo powered cars end up in the salvage yard by having the car which they are installed wrapped around a telephone pole, tree, light pole, semi truck, etc by the fools who drive like idiots because they have a Turbo than any other method of failure... IMHO

 

[WheelsCSM]

I know I don't have anything to back this up, but my family has driven 3 different Subarus over the past 11 yrs (1978 Brat, 1982 wagon, 1985 wagon, all with lots of miles). They are incredible cars in terms of reliabilty and durability. None of the ones we have are turbos, but if the WRX is engineered anywhere similar to the ones we have, I think it would last a LONG time.

 

[freebee]

These are OEM turbos, engineered to last the life of the car. And the WRX is a robust and stable platform, both in its current iteration and prior configurations.....and its nice to see so many people joining the Subaru family.

<---proud Subaru owner since 3/2000.

 

[WA261]

agree....i use to have a saab 900 T (well i still do but its new) anyway...this older one i beat the sh*t out of...took care of it, had no problems, but i did wreck it...punching the turbo to turn left at a light.. i slid into the curb...bent both r side tires under the car =(....my buddy use to have a ford probe gt turbo, these car a fast as hell (i was shocked).....he wrecked it on a windy road....hit the dirt (side of the road) and punched it...flipped him like 3 times.....that little boost you can get from a turbo can do wonders at the wrong time =)

 

[yakko]

If you don't abuse it then it should last a long time. If you don't let me borrow it on weekends it will last a week.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Subarus Rock!

My aunt had an 87 Justy. She bought it used in 96 or something like that....the thing had a its oil changed three times at the most. Was beat up all to hell (I did turn 16 in 97 ) and still runs! Does it run great? Um...no...but it will get you from point A to point B!

 

[Turkey]

The manual says replace it at 80k miles, but you don't have to. It gives you a nice excuse to upgrade to a bigger turbo though

The rest of the car will last until you wreck it or sell it. It's a Subaru, after all .

 

[NutBucket]

If you take care of it right; Letting it spool up before driving, spool down after driving, etc., then it will last a long time. My friend bought an '85 Volvo turbo about a year ago. It had an oil-cooled turbo that lasted 160K+ due to good practices and regular oil changes.

 

[Howard]

Does the WRX turbo really use ball/roller bearings?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

About 1/2 the life of a German one (waiting for the flames)

Lovely night to be out for a troll dont you think? LOL

 

[Alienwho]

Here is a pic of my 92 Suby SVX with 140k miles on it, right after I got back from some rally action.

 

[b0mbrman]

<<

<< How does its endurance compare with a car that doesn't have a turbo? >>


Because it was turbocharged out of the factory, certain internal upgrades have been done to the engine to make sure failure does not occur. It should run as long as any normal car - ~150k if you're nice to it. If you beat on it, expect some costly repairs. >>


Ahhh...I see...

Turbocharged cars don't last as long because their owners are more likely to push them...not because of any fault of the car?

<==--Very much a car newbie...

 

[Jerboy]

Does the old rule of letting the car idle to cool the turbo for a minute or two after shutting off still apply?

 

[Turkey]

Not for the WRX... there is a unique cooling system that cools the turbo when the engine is off. Subaru explains it in their manual. So supposedly in the WRX you don't have to let the turbo cool down/idle (you don't have to use a turbo timer and it doesn't come with one). It's not a bad idea, especially after some "spirited" driving , but it's not necessary. Probably just slowing down a few blocks before your house would do the trick if you wanted to feel better about not idling.