14 turbo rules
How to enjoy your turbocharger for a long time
These 14 rules for your turbocharger are an absolute must if you want to enjoy it for a long time. All of these rules are designed to take your tuning to the next level and come straight from the godfather of motorsports - Bartek!
Here you will learn among other things:
- which oil you need and which temperature it should have,
- important information about boost pressure, chip tuning, cooling and co,
- how to warm up and cool down the turbo,
- how to run in the turbo when you have rebuilt it,
- and much more!
- 1. Demand performance only once the right oil temperature has been reached
- 2. Stick to oil change intervals
- 3. Choose the right oil
- 4. Let the engine cool down after a super-fast drive
- 5. The boost system must be leak-tight
- 6. PCV system must work right
- 7. Optimum boost
- 8. The blow-off valve must work right
- 9. Professional chip tuning
- 10. Install a high-quality turbocharger
- 11. Proper lubrication
- 12. The cooling system must function perfectly
- 13. Improper oil lines
- 14. Putting the turbocharger into operation after renewal
- 15. Ask BAR-TEK!
1) Demand performance only once the right oil temperature has been reached
One of the worst things of all is to demand complete performance from the engine before the perfect oil temperature has been reached. If you don’t have an oil temperature gauge, this usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. The warm-up phase of the engine also depends on the type of oil and the ambient temperature, though. Our oil temperature gauge with a blue display is especially small so it can be installed nearly anywhere.
2) Stick to oil change intervals
For maximum lubrication, the oil must be regularly changed at certain intervals.
3) Choose the right oil
It is advisable to use fully synthetic oil. It is thinner and withstands extreme temperatures. The best thing you can do is to dispense with long-life oil and switch to our tried-and-tested Castrol oil. For TFSI or TSI engines you need our BAR-TEK® GTX Racing Oil. The right oil is especially important for turbo engines because the thermal loads are high and an increased boost demands more from the engine than a pure naturally aspirated engine.
4) Let the engine cool down after a super-fast drive
You should let your engine run for approx. 60 seconds after you have after a full-throttle drive. This way, oil and water can continue to circulate and cool down. If the oil temperature is too high after the engine has been turned off, oil coking might occur. The heat accumulation damages the engine and turbocharger and may result in a shortened service life and irreparable damage.
5) The boost system must be leak-tight
Leaks in the boost system cause excessive engine speed in the turbocharger and lead to failure. The causes can be checked via the error memory, a boost display or on the test stand.
6) PCV system must work right
The PCV system is connected with the manifold via a diaphragm. If it is damaged, the boost cannot be fully built up, and leaks emerge in the intake manifold. See Item 5.
7) Optimum boost
You should always keep your boost optimal so you get something out of your turbo for a long time. Excessive boost can result in severe damage since the turbocharger is overloaded. A high boost is achieved through high speeds of the turbocharger. Every turbocharger has a maximum speed that must not be exceeded – otherwise, there’s a risk of severe damage to the turbo and engine! This is why we recommend the installation of a boost display.
8) The blow-off valve must work right
If the blow-off valve does not work right, you get a pressure peak that exposes your turbo to an excessive load. You will get the right upgrade valves. from us.
9) Professional chip tuning
Chip tuning requires the expert knowledge of a programmer. It’s no use to put in a “no name” chip. If you try to save money here, you run the risk of severe engine damage. The ideal thing is performing the tuning on a dynamometer. Thus not only a performance curve across the entire speed range is extended but all important parameters are monitored as well. They can then be evaluated and supply information on the entire vehicle concept.
10) Install a high-quality turbocharger
The poor quality of the materials and installation tolerances are often the reason that turbochargers are short-lived. Again, you shouldn’t try to save money here. Those who buy cheap will buy twice, and you run the risk of damaging your whole engine. So make sure you install only high-quality turbochargers.
11) Proper lubrication
You have to make absolutely sure that the turbocharger is properly lubricated. The “veins” for the turbocharger are the water and oil lines. Carbon deposits can form in them over time, or they can get bent due to wrong installation. We recommend renewing all lines when you replace your turbo. With respect to series chargers, you should always fall back on the original lines from the manufacturer. For upgrade turbochargers such as Garrett, ERA and others, we offer a very high-quality line set for turbochargers.
12) The cooling system must function perfectly
The cooling system must function properly. Return-flow pumps cool the cooling water down to the right temperature after the engine has been turned off. Additional oil coolers not only increase the amount of oil in the system but also ensure a constant oil and engine temperature. The original cooling performance often reaches its limits as soon as an upgrade turbocharger comes into play.
13) Improper oil lines
Lines must be properly installed and be without any faults. Oil lines in particular always look good on the outside while they are bent or have carbon deposits inside. Carbon deposits are caused by the wrong oils or when the oil has not been changed often enough. It’s not enough to flush the lines or blow them out with compressed air! If in doubt, you should renew them. See Item 11.
Ask BAR-TEK!
We are always glad to help you with questions. Just contact us by phone or e-mail!
