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From: bobk@labjss.UUCP (bobk)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: The longevity of turbos (again)
Message-ID: <4700007@labjss.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Aug-85 17:25:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: labjss.4700007
Posted: Tue Aug 27 17:25:00 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Aug-85 10:27:03 EDT
Lines: 34
Nf-ID: #N:labjss:4700007:000:1185
Nf-From: labjss!bobk    Aug 27 14:25:00 1985


I recently read a technical correspondance letter in Road and Track which
discussed the longevity of turbos (I DO mean the ones on engines :-) ).

The essence of the story was that a Volvo owner (turbo sedan) noticed
blue smoke from the exhaust at 40,000 miles, went to the dealer, who 
slapped him with a $750 bill for a new turbo.

Road and Track asked a Volvo rep what the deal was here and the answer is...
Turbos should be EXPECTED to wear out at about 40-60,000 miles.  The 
bearing is under tremendous stress, hundreds of thousands of RPMs and
over 1000 degrees and will wear out.

The questions are:

1. Have owners of turbo cars on the net logged enough miles to have
   their turbos replaced? when did it happen?

2. Anybody gone past 50,000 miles yet?

The Volvo rep goes on to say that the carmakers should, but have not,
made this (almost certain) repair known to potential buyers.

3. Were you made aware that the turbo would fail (even under 2,000 mile
   oil changes) ?


I ask these questions because it's new car buying time in the Kunz 
houshold and turbos are a potential candidate.

I await your responses...

Bob Kunz
{hplabs!hp-pcd, uw-beaver!fluke}!hplsla!bobk