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What Is The Disadvantage of A Turbocharger?

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2024-12-20      Origin: Site

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Turbochargers are Widely used in modern automotive, marine and also other industrial engines, They are effective in increasing the power and torque output of engines. However, as with any technology, turbochargers also have some disadvantages and drawbacks. By studying these disadvantages we can explore directions for improvement of the turbo and make better use of turbochargers.


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1. How the turbocharger works

Before exploring the turbo shortcoming and disadvantages, it is necessary to briefly review how a turbocharger works. The turbocharger mainly consists of two parts: the turbine and the compressor. Exhaust gases from the engine drive the turbine's impeller to rotate, which in turn drives the coaxial compressor, which compresses the incoming air and sends it into the engine cylinder. This way can make more air into the cylinder, mixed with more fuel combustion, thus increasing the power of the engine.




2. What is the disadvantages of the turbo?




1).Turbo lag


Turbo lag is one of the most obvious drawbacks of turbochargers. When the driver suddenly depresses the accelerator pedal, as the turbo needs to be pushed by exhaust gases to start working, it takes some time for the energy of the exhaust gases to accumulate enough to make the turbo rotate . During this time, the engine's response will be sluggish and it will feel like there is a delay in power output. For example, when suddenly accelerating to overtake a vehicle at low revs, there may be a situation that the engine speed rises but the power does not keep up in time.


For high performance driving needs or scenarios that require fast power response, turbo lag may affect the driving experience. Especially in some racing scenarios, the power delay may affect racing results. And when emergency steering,the power delay may caused safety risk.




2).High-temperature issues


The turbocharger is subjected to extremely high temperatures during its operation. Because it is in direct contact with the hot exhaust gases from the engine, temperatures in the turbine section can reach 800 - 1000 Celsius degree or even higher.


High temperatures request strictly demand on the materials and construction of turbochargers. Special high-temperature alloy materials are required to manufacture turbines and related components, which increases manufacturing costs. Meanwhile, high temperatures are also prone to thermal deformation, fatigue and oxidation of turbocharger components, which can shorten the turbo service life.For example, turbine blades may crack under prolonged high-temperature working condition, this will affect the normal operation of the turbocharger.


To some extent. the temperature working condition should not blame on the turbo. It is external reason that makes the turbo material need to be high quality request. When choose a right supplier for turbo is very important. Alfredturbo all use K18 high strong alloy material for axle. Choose a right turbo can avoid many repair issues.




3) High maintenance costs


Due to the complex structure and high temperature working environment of turbochargers, their maintenance costs are relatively high. Once a turbocharger fails, the repair process is often complicated.


Replacing the turbocharger or its internal components requires specialized technicians and equipment. For example, once a key component such as the cartridge of a turbocharger is damaged, the entire turbocharger may need to be disassembled and reassembled, and precise balancing adjustments need to be made, which increases the workload and cost of repairs.But normally a turbo repair mostly need turbo repair kits or turbo cartridge.Find a right repair kit and turbo parts can save much cost .




4) Reliability issues


The reliability of turbochargers is challenged in complex operating environments. In addition to the effects of high temperatures, turbochargers are required to operate at high rotational speeds. Impeller speeds for turbines and compressors can reach tens of thousands of revolutions per minute or even higher.


 At such high rotational speeds, minor imbalances in the impeller or the entry of foreign objects can lead to serious failures. For example, once a tiny particle enters the interior of the turbocharger, it could break the impeller and cause the entire turbocharger to fail. Moreover, since the turbocharger is an important part of the engine's intake and exhaust system, once it fails, it may lead to a serious drop of engine performance.




5) High requirements on oil quality


Turbo parts and components such as the bearings of a turbocharger rely on engine oil for lubrication and cooling. Due to its special working environment, the quality and performance requirements for engine oil are higher than those for ordinary engines.


It is necessary to use oil with high-temperature oxidation resistance, clean dispersion and lubrication performance. If the oil does not meet the requirements, it will may increasing the wear of the turbocharger's bearings, which will affect the turbo service life. For example, the use of low-quality oil may form sludge and carbon deposits inside the turbocharger, blocking oil passages and affecting lubrication and cooling.



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3. Why we still use turbocharger even they have disadvantages.


Nothing is perfect without any disadvantages. Although turbochargers have disadvantages such as turbo lag, high temperature issues, high maintenance costs, reliability challenges and high oil requirements, many countermeasures are being refined as technology continues to evolve. For example, variable cross-section turbine technology has been adopted to mitigate turbo lag, and new heat-resisting materials have been developed to improve high-temperature resistance. As turbos also have many advantages such as improve engine performance and reduce exhaust emission. when applying turbocharger technology, it is still necessary to considers both advantages and drawbacks of a turbo to strike a balance between performance enhancement and reliability.





Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about the disadvantages of a turbocharger:


What causes turbo lag?


Turbo lag occurs because it takes time for the exhaust gases to build sufficient velocity and energy to spin the turbocharger's turbine rapidly enough to generate significant boost pressure. The engine needs to reach a certain RPM and exhaust flow rate before the turbocharger can effectively increase the air intake and power output.



How does turbocharger complexity affect reliability?


The additional components like the turbocharger unit, intercooler, and modified intake/exhaust systems in a turbocharged setup have more potential points of failure. For example, a faulty turbocharger bearing or a leak in the intercooler piping can lead to performance issues or even engine damage. The complexity also makes diagnosis and repair more difficult and costly as technicians need to be well-versed in the workings of the entire turbocharged system.



Why do turbocharged engines have higher maintenance costs?


Turbocharged engines require more frequent maintenance. The high temperatures and pressures in the turbocharger necessitate more regular oil and filter changes. High-quality synthetic oils are often needed to handle the extreme conditions and prevent coking. Also, components like the turbocharger itself may need replacement over time, which is a costly affair. For instance, a turbocharger replacement can cost several thousand dollars due to the precision engineering and labor involved in installation and calibration.



How do high operating temperatures in a turbocharger impact its lifespan?


The extremely high temperatures in a turbocharger can cause wear and tear on the turbine and compressor wheels as well as the bearings. Over time, the heat can degrade the materials and reduce the efficiency and performance of the turbocharger. If the cooling and lubrication systems are not properly maintained, the turbocharger's lifespan can be significantly shortened. For example, in a vehicle used for heavy towing or high-performance driving, the turbocharger is under more stress and may experience premature failure if not cared for.















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