Does a turbocharger and intercooler lose power and efficiency as they get older?
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All mechanical parts wear down eventually. Typically with turbos they start to lose boost, then one day you get a catastrophic failure.
@mountainmanjoe for merging with other post from same member:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/rb25det-not-spooling-up-on-1st-gear-anymore/#post-122207
Typically when a turbo wears out it's a catastrophic failure of seals or bearings - you'll definitely know when that happens. I have a 26 year old turbocharged car here with its original turbocharger and intercooler that works just fine (performance and boost gauge), still drives practically like new.
The engine in a turbocharged vehicle of course may wear and lose power, especially if it's not properly designed to take the boost of the turbocharger.
My Rb25det isnt spooling up on first gear as hard as it did in the early days
Maybe an issue with the boost control valve or wastegate? (On old Saabs that's typically what causes lack of boost if the turbocharger is otherwise OK.)
It has a boost controller thats discontinued, opens up from 5 to 7 psi over 4500 rpm. One last replacement part# might possibly work.
I have a stock manual transmission R33 skyline coupe I purchased at 105k km.
My rb25det series 1 engine isn't working as it used to. It isn't spooling up as high as its supposed to when redlining.
I have new 300zx injectors and a new stock mass air flow sensor so far.