Let’s break down how turbos get so hot. Turbochargers use hot exhaust gas to power (rotate) a turbine wheel on the “hot side” of a turbocharger. This rotating energy is used to drive the compressor wheel on the “cold side” of the turbo in order to create a positive pressure (aka boost). The compressed air helps increase power and efficiency of an engine.
While the turbocharger thrives on hot exhaust, excessive heat can cause problems that shorten the turbocharger’s lifespan, and can even lead to failure. Effective heat management is essential for maintaining turbo efficiency, protecting internal components, and ensuring long-term reliability.
Why Turbo Heat Management Matters
Heat buildup primarily occurs in the turbine housing—also known as the “hot side.” While extreme exhaust temperatures drive the turbine wheel, if not properly managed, heat can transfer to the bearing housing and compressor side, leading to:
❌ Bearing damage – Heat stress dramatically impacts the longevity of any bearing system.
❌ Compressor inefficiency – Heat creeping into the compressor side reduces air density, lowering overall efficiency and increasing manifold air temp (MAT). ❌ Oil deposits can form on the bearing surfaces – Extreme temperatures can also degrade oil quality, hindering its ability to adequately lubricate the bearings
To combat these issues, it’s important to implement proper heat management strategies.
Best Practices to Keep Your Turbo Cool
1. Using Properly Formulated, High-Quality Synthetic Oil
Motor oil plays a major role in cooling and lubricating the turbocharger bearing system. A properly formulated, full synthetic oil such as HPL Superior Lubricants can help dramatically increase the turbo service life. The oil’s ability to effectively transfer heat away from the bearing, adequately lubricate the bearing and minimize deposits on the bearing directly affects the turbolifespan lifespan.
2. Ensure Proper Airflow
Turbo placement is key to heat management. Ideally, turbos should be mounted in areas with ample airflow to help carry heat away. The exterior sides of the engine bay is a good strategy to help keep the turbo away from additional heat sources.
Mounting a turbo in areas with limited air flow or even worse; stagnant air is a common mistake. This not only affects the turbochargers ability to dissipate heat, it can also promote heat related damage to other parts.
3. Avoid Turbo Blankets
Turbo blankets sound like a great idea until you think about how they actually work and the negative effect they have on the turbocharger. Turbo blankets act as an insulator, trapping heat. We want to “keep it cool” and transmit heat away from the turbo as fast as possible in order to improve turbocharger reliability and performance.
4. Protect Surrounding Components
It’s a fact that turbos get hot and that heat can damage surrounding parts. Therefore instead of trapping heat inside the turbo (with a blanket), focus on shielding the nearby components from the heat. A few good options include:
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Use heat-resistant sleeves to insulate wires and hoses.
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Apply reflective tape or heat shields to help deflect heat away from critical parts.
By following these best practices, you can maintain optimal turbo performance while preventing excessive heat buildup.
HPT Turbos are Engineered for Maximum Turbo Cooling
At HPT Turbochargers, we take heat control seriously and have engineered our turbos to withstand extreme temperatures without sacrificing performance. Read the Keep it Cool: Part 2 article to learn more about how we accomplished that.
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