Limits of stock turbo lifespan
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From: Filthadelphia
Limits of stock turbo lifespan
How's it hanging guys/girls? New user here with an interesting post. First off IF YOUR TURBO IS SHOT GM WILL NOT COVER IT! 
I have one of the first 08 SS/TC in my area, I got it last august brand new, and I currently have 14,500 miles on the car. Last week while driving the car (in no abusive manner, there was thick traffic) my turbo started to make a noise similar to a vacuum cleaner. I felt vibration in the gas pedal that coincided with the boost gauge. The noise and the vibration grew moderately, not all at once. My boost gauge read 0 psi while on the gas, normal vacuum when off. NO check engine light, no sudden pops, bangs, after-fires nothing. I took my car to a dealer where it took a week to get diagnosed. They identified the problem as a turbo bearing malfunction. They of course asked me all kinds of ridiculous questions such as "Have you been driving the car without an air filter?" Then they noticed my tires where worn. BINGO! They told me, listen carefully, LAUNCH CONTROL DOES NOT VOID WARRANTY, BUT OVER USE WILL RESULT IN YOU ABUSING THE CAR, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY." Now, my car stock would boost at 14-20 psi, 20psi a lot. I know there are tunes out there that raise boost to 22-26 psi. And if my car blew the turbo with the stock psi I MUST advise you to take your tunes off and just baby it. I will admit, I DRIVE my car, but I know the difference in it performing as advertised and abuse. My clutch is perfectly fine. I know it wont happen to all Turbo Cobalts, but you wouldn't know until it's too late. just some price figures, $1,345 for a replacement, not including labor. And as of today GM ITSELF has no replacements in stock ANYWERE!!! They have to order from Borg-Warner, and lord knows how long that would take. Now I'm looking for a replacement, or I may just go with the Synapse kit. Lemme know what you think.
I have one of the first 08 SS/TC in my area, I got it last august brand new, and I currently have 14,500 miles on the car. Last week while driving the car (in no abusive manner, there was thick traffic) my turbo started to make a noise similar to a vacuum cleaner. I felt vibration in the gas pedal that coincided with the boost gauge. The noise and the vibration grew moderately, not all at once. My boost gauge read 0 psi while on the gas, normal vacuum when off. NO check engine light, no sudden pops, bangs, after-fires nothing. I took my car to a dealer where it took a week to get diagnosed. They identified the problem as a turbo bearing malfunction. They of course asked me all kinds of ridiculous questions such as "Have you been driving the car without an air filter?" Then they noticed my tires where worn. BINGO! They told me, listen carefully, LAUNCH CONTROL DOES NOT VOID WARRANTY, BUT OVER USE WILL RESULT IN YOU ABUSING THE CAR, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY." Now, my car stock would boost at 14-20 psi, 20psi a lot. I know there are tunes out there that raise boost to 22-26 psi. And if my car blew the turbo with the stock psi I MUST advise you to take your tunes off and just baby it. I will admit, I DRIVE my car, but I know the difference in it performing as advertised and abuse. My clutch is perfectly fine. I know it wont happen to all Turbo Cobalts, but you wouldn't know until it's too late. just some price figures, $1,345 for a replacement, not including labor. And as of today GM ITSELF has no replacements in stock ANYWERE!!! They have to order from Borg-Warner, and lord knows how long that would take. Now I'm looking for a replacement, or I may just go with the Synapse kit. Lemme know what you think.
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Joined: 05-29-07
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From: Oxon Hill, MD
How's it hanging guys/girls? New user here with an interesting post. First off IF YOUR TURBO IS SHOT GM WILL NOT COVER IT! I have one of the first 08 SS/TC in my area, I got it last august brand new, and I currently have 14,500 miles on the car. Last week while driving the car (in no abusive manner, there was thick traffic) my turbo started to make a noise similar to a vacuum cleaner. I felt vibration in the gas pedal that coincided with the boost gauge. The noise and the vibration grew moderately, not all at once. My boost gauge read 0 psi while on the gas, normal vacuum when off. NO check engine light, no sudden pops, bangs, after-fires nothing. I took my car to a dealer where it took a week to get diagnosed. They identified the problem as a turbo bearing malfunction. They of course asked me all kinds of ridiculous questions such as "Have you been driving the car without an air filter?" Then they noticed my tires where worn. BINGO! They told me, listen carefully, LAUNCH CONTROL DOES NOT VOID WARRANTY, BUT OVER USE WILL RESULT IN YOU ABUSING THE CAR, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY." Now, my car stock would boost at 14-20 psi, 20psi a lot. I know there are tunes out there that raise boost to 22-26 psi. And if my car blew the turbo with the stock psi I MUST advise you to take your tunes off and just baby it. I will admit, I DRIVE my car, but I know the difference in it performing as advertised and abuse. My clutch is perfectly fine. I know it wont happen to all Turbo Cobalts, but you wouldn't know until it's too late. just some price figures, $1,345 for a replacement, not including labor. And as of today GM ITSELF has no replacements in stock ANYWERE!!! They have to order from Borg-Warner, and lord knows how long that would take. Now I'm looking for a replacement, or I may just go with the Synapse kit. Lemme know what you think.
I have one of the first 08 SS/TC in my area, I got it last august brand new, and I currently have 14,500 miles on the car. Last week while driving the car (in no abusive manner, there was thick traffic) my turbo started to make a noise similar to a vacuum cleaner. I felt vibration in the gas pedal that coincided with the boost gauge. The noise and the vibration grew moderately, not all at once. My boost gauge read 0 psi while on the gas, normal vacuum when off. NO check engine light, no sudden pops, bangs, after-fires nothing. I took my car to a dealer where it took a week to get diagnosed. They identified the problem as a turbo bearing malfunction. They of course asked me all kinds of ridiculous questions such as "Have you been driving the car without an air filter?" Then they noticed my tires where worn. BINGO! They told me, listen carefully, LAUNCH CONTROL DOES NOT VOID WARRANTY, BUT OVER USE WILL RESULT IN YOU ABUSING THE CAR, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY." Now, my car stock would boost at 14-20 psi, 20psi a lot. I know there are tunes out there that raise boost to 22-26 psi. And if my car blew the turbo with the stock psi I MUST advise you to take your tunes off and just baby it. I will admit, I DRIVE my car, but I know the difference in it performing as advertised and abuse. My clutch is perfectly fine. I know it wont happen to all Turbo Cobalts, but you wouldn't know until it's too late. just some price figures, $1,345 for a replacement, not including labor. And as of today GM ITSELF has no replacements in stock ANYWERE!!! They have to order from Borg-Warner, and lord knows how long that would take. Now I'm looking for a replacement, or I may just go with the Synapse kit. Lemme know what you think.
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Joined: 07-25-08
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From: Florida
How's it hanging guys/girls? New user here with an interesting post. First off IF YOUR TURBO IS SHOT GM WILL NOT COVER IT! I have one of the first 08 SS/TC in my area, I got it last august brand new, and I currently have 14,500 miles on the car. Last week while driving the car (in no abusive manner, there was thick traffic) my turbo started to make a noise similar to a vacuum cleaner. I felt vibration in the gas pedal that coincided with the boost gauge. The noise and the vibration grew moderately, not all at once. My boost gauge read 0 psi while on the gas, normal vacuum when off. NO check engine light, no sudden pops, bangs, after-fires nothing. I took my car to a dealer where it took a week to get diagnosed. They identified the problem as a turbo bearing malfunction. They of course asked me all kinds of ridiculous questions such as "Have you been driving the car without an air filter?" Then they noticed my tires where worn. BINGO! They told me, listen carefully, LAUNCH CONTROL DOES NOT VOID WARRANTY, BUT OVER USE WILL RESULT IN YOU ABUSING THE CAR, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY." Now, my car stock would boost at 14-20 psi, 20psi a lot. I know there are tunes out there that raise boost to 22-26 psi. And if my car blew the turbo with the stock psi I MUST advise you to take your tunes off and just baby it. I will admit, I DRIVE my car, but I know the difference in it performing as advertised and abuse. My clutch is perfectly fine. I know it wont happen to all Turbo Cobalts, but you wouldn't know until it's too late. just some price figures, $1,345 for a replacement, not including labor. And as of today GM ITSELF has no replacements in stock ANYWERE!!! They have to order from Borg-Warner, and lord knows how long that would take. Now I'm looking for a replacement, or I may just go with the Synapse kit. Lemme know what you think.
I have one of the first 08 SS/TC in my area, I got it last august brand new, and I currently have 14,500 miles on the car. Last week while driving the car (in no abusive manner, there was thick traffic) my turbo started to make a noise similar to a vacuum cleaner. I felt vibration in the gas pedal that coincided with the boost gauge. The noise and the vibration grew moderately, not all at once. My boost gauge read 0 psi while on the gas, normal vacuum when off. NO check engine light, no sudden pops, bangs, after-fires nothing. I took my car to a dealer where it took a week to get diagnosed. They identified the problem as a turbo bearing malfunction. They of course asked me all kinds of ridiculous questions such as "Have you been driving the car without an air filter?" Then they noticed my tires where worn. BINGO! They told me, listen carefully, LAUNCH CONTROL DOES NOT VOID WARRANTY, BUT OVER USE WILL RESULT IN YOU ABUSING THE CAR, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY." Now, my car stock would boost at 14-20 psi, 20psi a lot. I know there are tunes out there that raise boost to 22-26 psi. And if my car blew the turbo with the stock psi I MUST advise you to take your tunes off and just baby it. I will admit, I DRIVE my car, but I know the difference in it performing as advertised and abuse. My clutch is perfectly fine. I know it wont happen to all Turbo Cobalts, but you wouldn't know until it's too late. just some price figures, $1,345 for a replacement, not including labor. And as of today GM ITSELF has no replacements in stock ANYWERE!!! They have to order from Borg-Warner, and lord knows how long that would take. Now I'm looking for a replacement, or I may just go with the Synapse kit. Lemme know what you think.
I too am in a simialr predicament, not a blown turbo but my lower charge pipe had the vacuum line snapped off, covered under warranty... However no where in the US of A is there a replacement lower charge pipe. Thanks Goverment Motor for screwing up my first car buying experience. lol.
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Joined: 02-09-09
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From: Tejas
I too am in a simialr predicament, not a blown turbo but my lower charge pipe had the vacuum line snapped off, covered under warranty... However no where in the US of A is there a replacement lower charge pipe. Thanks Goverment Motor for screwing up my first car buying experience. lol.
A stock turbo shouldn't make over 16-17 psi for a split second but I think you're getting the same BS about "driving" the car I got. Good luck but I don't think they'll cover it even though they installed it. My car is in the shop for "Service ESC" so I'm dying to see what they'll say caused this.
Last edited by Stamina; Jul 1, 2009 at 02:53 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
wow, what a good idea!!! 
anyone have stock lower charge pipe to sell? 
pics, and nothing outrageous. I'd get a after market one as my last resort cause I dont need those guys at the shop to give me crap about it if it doesnt fix my boost problem.
anyone have stock lower charge pipe to sell? pics, and nothing outrageous. I'd get a after market one as my last resort cause I dont need those guys at the shop to give me crap about it if it doesnt fix my boost problem.
well, he and I can do that all we want, but a very big problem is that there arent any in production or on the shelves in alllll lthe US of A. They dont have it in stock... so how can it get replaced? It wont, his car is gonna be garaged for like 5 months till the finally get around to building a replacement part surplus. Lucky my car runs completely fine in its condition, just not under WOT.
I wouldnt for a second allow them to void a warranty if your car is stock. Either call their higher up or ask for them, or take it to a different dealer. This makes ZERO sense as they get paid to fix it... and just because you have tire wear? **** that those are high performance summer only tires they are completely gone by 20k miles.
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Joined: 02-09-09
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From: Tejas
To the OP, try asking BaldTurboFreak to see if he'll rebuild yours if GM gives you grief. It may be cheaper and a whole lot quicker turnaround than a new one.
I know he's got cores and such in stock, since he was offering the K04+ upgraded compressor wheel for instance.
I know he's got cores and such in stock, since he was offering the K04+ upgraded compressor wheel for instance.
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Joined: 06-28-09
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From: Filthadelphia
Thanks STAMINA. I wrote them an e-mail. Hopefully they get back to me soon. No Boost<Getting shot.
Last edited by sstcECOTECsstc; Jul 1, 2009 at 03:49 PM. Reason: I wrote them an e-mail, not called, they dont have a number
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From: Illinois
My axle broke, and i was going through the same ordeal. BUT. I know mine would be abuse. Breaks of the game i play.
Good luck guys! I am comfortable with the fact of if anything else breaks, I am going to be replacing it with something aftermarket.
Good luck guys! I am comfortable with the fact of if anything else breaks, I am going to be replacing it with something aftermarket.
A stock turbo shouldn't make over 16-17 psi for a split second but I think you're getting the same BS about "driving" the car I got. Good luck but I don't think they'll cover it even though they installed it. My car is in the shop for "Service ESC" so I'm dying to see what they'll say caused this.
Same thing happened to me. YOU NLS from 1st - 2nd. Jarred the sensor loose, I think.
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