2. Oil Contamination

Many people wrongly assume if they run their engine on old, contaminated oil, the oil filter will remove any foreign matter before the dirty lubricant reaches the turbocharger. Just like having a low level of oil is seriously bad news for your car’s internal organs, running with contaminated oil is also a sure fire way to kill off your Porsche's turbocharger. This is because any particles of debris (ash, soot, the unburned heavy ends of fuel and water, not to mention tiny metal particles produced by the general wear and tear of an engine) will eventually pass the filter and find their way to the turbo, causing damage to the previously smooth surfaces of the bearings and shaft. It’s not just particles getting past the oil filter that can cause damage, though. Engine problems allowing water or fuel to mix with the oil, even in small quantities, will prevent oil from working as it should, a condition which reduces its supportive, cooling and lubricating functions. And when this happens, the turbo usually fails first.

How to prevent it

Similar to before, a good quality oil and filter (changed well before the prescribed intervals) is essential, although adding an inline turbocharger pre-filter could also help catch any errant particles hell-bent on waging war on your turbo. Again, contact Opie Oils for expert advice.