Hi folks,

I'm new to the forum, wish I found this place a year ago!

I have a '97 Twin Turbo Carrera (15,000 miles) and it started smoking out the back. Dealer, who I do not trust, states that it is the left side turbo, and that the entire turbo needs replacing. This is the tune of $4200. They state that the seal is bad in the turbo and it can not be repaired.

Anyone have any advice or a less expensive route? Seems like the dealer is gouging on this or is lying that it cant be repaired.

Thanks!

-Ben

 

the problem with most turbos on porsches is that it cost just as much to rebuild them as it cost to buy a new one, but you also have to figure on how much of the cost of the repair is labor. It seems strange that a turbo would go bad with that low of miles, they ussually wait untill later in the cars life, main cause of turbo death is lack of lubrication, let your turbos spool down after youve been driving.

 

The smoke is definitely a typical symptom of a bad turbo. It's because the engine is running rich due to the lack of air in the intake charge. I don't know for sure the difference in cost between rebuilding and replacing the turbo but I would take doudtown's word for it. Like he said a turbo usually fails due to lack of lubrication so there may be considerable scoring to the internal parts. Given that, most people choose to replace even if rebuilding is an option.