Turbo Repair and Replacement in Orem, UT
Whining, smoke, or a car that lost its boost? We find out why the turbo is failing, then replace it so the new one lasts.
4.7 on Google from 320+ reviews · AWD Dynojet on site · On Center Street since 1999
- Diagnostic
- $175
- Common cars
- Ford EcoBoost, VW and Audi TSI, Subaru WRX
- Replacement
- OEM or upgraded turbo
- Warranty
- 90 days or 1,500 miles on most repairs
How it works: tell us what it's doing, we find the cause and quote it, and nothing starts until you say yes.
Your car started to whine as it picks up speed. Or there's blue smoke behind you, and it feels slow getting onto I-15. Maybe the check engine light came on with a boost code. These are common signs of a turbo problem, and they tend to get worse, not better.
Turbo Lab does turbo repair and replacement in Orem for daily drivers and trucks, from Ford EcoBoost and VW and Audi TSI engines to the Subaru WRX. We find out why the turbo is failing before we replace anything. A new turbo on top of the old problem can fail the same way.
★★★★★
“These guys are awesome! My STi feels like a completely different car after they replaced the turbo and tuned it.”
On this page
Signs of a failing turbo
A turbo spins very fast on a thin film of oil. When it starts to wear, it usually tells you. Watch for:
- A whine or siren sound that gets louder with speed
- Blue or gray smoke from the tailpipe, most of all on startup or when you step on it
- Less power, or a car that feels flat when it used to pull
- A check engine light with a boost code, like underboost or overboost
- Oil in the intake pipes or around the intercooler
- The engine using more oil between changes
Why turbos fail
Most turbos don't just wear out. Something else wears them out. These are the causes we look for:
Oil supply. The turbo's bearings live on engine oil. Old oil, low oil, or a clogged feed line starves them. Late oil changes and short winter trips in Utah County, where the oil never fully warms up, are hard on a turbo.
Coolant. Many turbos are cooled by engine coolant too. A coolant leak or a blocked line lets the turbo run hot, and the heat cooks the oil inside it.
Leaks. A boost leak makes the turbo spin harder to make the same power. A leak before the turbo can let dirt in, and dirt chews up the blades.
Wear. Miles and heat add up. Hard driving and a tune that asks for more boost than the parts can take both shorten a turbo's life.
How we diagnose a turbo in Orem
Plenty of turbo symptoms come from something else. A split boost hose, a stuck wastegate, a bad sensor, or a leaking intercooler can all feel like a dead turbo. So we test before we replace.
We read the codes and watch live boost data on a road test. We smoke test the intake and charge pipes for leaks. Then we check the turbo itself for shaft play, blade damage, and oil where it shouldn't be. When a problem only shows up under load, we can put the car on our dyno and watch boost at full throttle, safely. If a boost code is what started it, it's the same process as our check engine light diagnostics.
The diagnostic is $175. If the turbo is fine, you find out before you pay for a new one.
Turbo replacement with OEM or upgraded units
If the turbo is done, we replace it. Most daily drivers get an OEM turbo, so the car drives the way it did before. If you plan to tune the car later, an upgraded turbo can make sense while it's apart. We tell you what each option means for your car, and what else it would need to run right.
We replace turbos. We don't rebuild them. The cost depends on the car, because some turbos sit right on top of the engine and others take hours of work to reach. We inspect the car, then give you the price before we start.
Want more power instead? See our turbo kit installation.
Recent turbo work
Turbo Subaru WRXs and STIs are the cars we see most, then GM, Ford, and Dodge. Recent turbo jobs include a Subaru STI that needed a new turbo and a tune, and a Chevy Cobalt SS that got a turbo, a clutch, and a new tune. A cracked downpipe or a leaking manifold can also cost boost, and our exhaust repair covers those.
While your car is here, we text you updates. After-hours drop-off and pickup make it easier on a workday.
Related services in Orem
Turbo repair questions
Can I drive with a bad turbo?
For a short time, maybe. If it's smoking, making a loud new noise, or the oil level is dropping fast, stop driving it. A failing turbo can send oil or metal into the engine, and that turns a turbo job into an engine job.
How much does turbo replacement cost?
It depends on the car, the turbo, and how hard it is to reach. We start with a $175 diagnostic to confirm it's the turbo. Then we give you the price before we start any work.
Is a bad turbo covered by warranty?
Check your factory or powertrain warranty first. Many cover the turbo for a set time or mileage, and the dealer handles those claims. Our own repair work carries our 90-day, 1,500-mile warranty on most repairs.
How long does turbo replacement take?
It depends on the car and when the part arrives. Some turbos are easy to reach. Others mean taking a lot apart first. We give you the time with the price.
Will a new turbo fix my check engine light?
Only if the turbo was the cause. Boost codes can also come from leaks, sensors, or the wastegate. That's why we test first.
Can you upgrade the turbo while it's out?
Yes. If you plan to tune the car, an upgraded turbo can make sense. We tell you what else it needs, like a tune, so it runs right.
Turbo whining, smoking, or down on boost?
Call and tell us what it's doing. We'll find out if it's the turbo and give you the price before we fix it.
1416 W Center St, Orem · Mon to Fri, 9 AM to 5:30 PM