Average life of TD04

I was wondeing what the average life of a TD04? I am guessing that stage 2 reduces life span a little? My car went stage 2 at around 100k, I'm hearing a little noise that I haven't heard before. I searched but really didn't see any comments on life span

 

I have 107,000 on the original turbo, it's been at stage 2 since about 20,000 I think. The turbo does seem loud to me, but it still boosts just fine and I'm not losing any oil.

What kind of noise are you hearing? On mine it whines kinda loud just before it starts to boost and partial boost sounds choppy, if that makes sense, although that might be my turbo heat shield rattling, I haven't really tracked it down. I have a replacement td04 sitting in the basement ready to go in at any time though.

 

I'm at about 110k now and I hear a slight "chatter" that I haven't noticed before. I have a replacement as well, but I would prefer to wait until I have all of the items I need for the next turbo (16g evo)

 

they normally say rebuild them every 100k. but that can be kinda excessive. and swapping them is literally a 30 min job for most people, very easy. i had 130k on my old one before i upgraded and didnt have a problem before that with it.

 

I'd like to see that... (on a 100k mile car that has never had the turbo removed)

 

If you've done a few, its not out of the question, its just not gonna happen every time.

 

If you're hearing a weird noise that you haven't heard before, CHANGE IT. Its not worth throwing shrapnel through your engine to save a few bucks. Pick up a TD04. Srsly.

(and I put almost 70k on a TD04 on a 2.5L that was boosting over 20psi since 2000 miles. :laugh

EDIT: Just re-read. You have one? CHANGE IT. Rebuild your old one to recoup the cash.

 

as long as everything goes smoothly then that can be realistic... but yeah there could be things that come in the way especially with something thats been in there for that long. but i still stand by that

 

just did mine this spring it had 145,000 miles on it.

 

I replaced the original turbo with a 14 K mile TD04 from a 06 WRX, looking at the old turbo I really couldn't see a obvious defect? I did take off the exhaust housing and the turbine seems to have a very fine "grind" to it, something like the drag created from dragging 200 grit across a brushed stainless steel. and the wheel seems to stop spinning just a little faster than the new turbo, so who knows, if I had the money I would have gone 16G.

 

im at 74,000 and no tdo4 problems for me... and kinda of topic but if u swap your turbo with the same turbo is it a good idea to get a re-tune... maybe only if you adjusted your wastegate im thinking??

 

yeah, it can be done...provided the car is cool and none of the studs and/or nuts decide to take a crap on ya. My fastest stock turbo swap is just over a 1/2 hour.


I say if you have a stock turbo laying around you swap it....