Why has the turbo failed on my Vauxhall Corsa?
I have a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3CDTi that has done less than 50,000 miles. I have been experiencing loss of power at speed and have been told that the turbo needs replacing. Am I alone in assuming that the turbo should last as long as the engine? I would be interested in your comments and whether you have come across this problem before.
Turbos normally fail because of bearing wear, and the reason for that is usually either a problem with the oil supply to the bearing or drivers switching the engine off when the turbo is red hot. When they do that, the turbo has to spool down from around 150,000rpm and has to do so in oil that instantly carbonises, promoting significant wear. So always idle the engine for 30 - 120 seconds after a long ascent, after towing and when pulling in for fuel on the motorway. There's usually no need at journeys end because that normally takes you through a built-up area where the engine will be running at nominal revs.
Answered by Honest John on
