How durable are the turbos?
 

Just wondering if anyone has any specific knowledge and or statistical data on how durable/reliable these turbocharged engines are. I have seen a lot of posts re: turbo problems and am wondering if it is as big a problem as it seems. Do the Solstice/Sky guys/gals have the same issues?

The turbo is reliable it has been some of the related electronics and tubing that has been the issue.

I know a couple of guys have had turbo issues but it is no more than probkems with any other normal parts. In every group you will have a couple bad but in this case no wide spread issues.

the bottom line is while this is a new engine with little data on this the issuesy seen are not engine or turbo related but more bolt on and electronic componet related.

I would also like to state that as you are on a forum, you are dealing with people that tend to be more informed, fanatics or tenacious in regards to striving to squeeze all the performance out of a vehicle. Not to say any of us are great, but most everyday drivers might think that another 5 psi isn't worth the hassle, as the car is fast enough for the posted speed limits. Heck my surging might never even be observed by some drivers.....you know....those driving with an almost flat tire, burnt out tail lights, donut on one side for the past 10,000 miles and brakes that barely stop the car when doing 5mph.

We just like to approach that posted speed at record times. :thumb:

Nearly 19K miles and no turbo-related issues yet.

24,008 miles, and i think my psi hit higher than ever today. in 2nd gear it hit 18-19 usally it's maxed at about 15-16 , It was like 94 outside here today.

24,008 miles "S"till "S"miling :smile: :eek: :smile:

14,000 miles....not one problem with engine or turbo. Psi, is and has been, the same since day one. Just made a 6 hour road trip with no issues and great performance. Passing was a breeze, and I still got 30 mpg avg with the cruise set at 80 mph. Flat land Nebraska :)

if it's typical, the turbo won't fail unless you run it out of oil or run it to long with dirty oil.

I've seen cars with 200K and an original turbo that was still strong. I've also (from my mechanic days) seen someone go (In a Saab) 30K miles with the "Original 1K mile break in filter" and wonder why the turbo was dead after I drained a half quart of oil from the pan :eek::confused::roll:. Oh, his NYS Inspection was also WAY over due....... :roll:

Abuse it an lose it is my motto.

Prior to buying our SS, we turned our 1986 4cyl Turbocoupe T-Bird, 5sp, with 246000 miles over to my grandson's dad to get it in shape (paint and trim) to become my grandson's car when he turns 16 in a few months. Routine maintenance was all the motor and transmission ever had and it still ran strong. Wonder how long our 22 years of TLC will hold up?

Hoping for that kind of service or something close to it from the HHR.

Keep in mind turbos today are not the turbos of the Buicks in the early 80's.

They are oiled better, cooled by water, better bearings, more efficent designs and just do not see the issues the old turbos died from in the past.

Before 1985 most Buicks died at 35,000 miles. The oil line would carbon up and the bearings would die. The oils today also deal with temps and do not carbon up.

There is little need to sit and let the engine run in park before shutting down anymore unless you are tuned to the hilt and running very super hard.

love your turbo with redline 10-30 oil its polyoester base takes the most heat and lives, currently 180,000 on my 01 turbo 1.8 jetta and only use a quart between 10,000 mile change intervals and 20 lb vaccum and boost to 25 lb proly when i blow some oil thru, i hope to get an ss panel if gm still makes them next year, never seen one on the lot