How to Choose and Change a Cabin Air Filter

Is It Possible to Recycle a Turbocharger?

18 December 2018

Gabriella Barnett

As you may know, an increasing number of production cars on the road today are fitted with a turbocharger. Some manufacturers fit this type of performance booster to each model in their range, and you may have enjoyed driving such a vehicle for many a long year. However, your car may have racked up too many kilometres and is now on its last legs, so you are thinking about recycling as much of it as possible. Is it possible for you to recycle the turbocharger, and if so, what is involved?

Steps to Recycle the Turbocharger

The good news is that most manufacturers will recycle or repurpose a turbo, so long as it is still in relatively good condition.

Initial Assessment

To begin with, the facility will decide whether the unit can be recycled or not and will look for major damage such as a broken shaft. Assuming that they don't find anything untoward, however, they will also need to check that the data plate is still intact so they can clearly identify the unit and its composition.

Disassembly

Next, the turbocharger will be dismantled completely, and all of the "disposable" parts will be removed and thrown away. These include gaskets, piston rings and bearings.

If the turbocharger is going to be remanufactured, then original and new parts will be introduced from a production line.

Cleaning Process

Then, the main components, including the turbine, compressor and housing, will be dismantled and cleaned very carefully. This will help to get rid of any carbonised oil which may have accumulated over the years, and in some cases, the main components will be cleaned using a thermal process.

Full Testing

Once this part of the work is complete, then each component will be rigourously tested to determine whether they can be reused as is or not. If they fail the test, then a new component will be brought in instead.

Reassembly

Finally, all components are reassembled and balanced before being spooled up to reach maximum revolution. If all is well, the turbocharger is ready to be sent back into the market and will find its way onto a new, host car.

Don't Stop There

Remember, the turbocharger is only one of many components that you can send to the recycling plant. Make sure you take advantage of as many of these opportunities as you can when you finally part company with your trusty ride. To learn more, talk to a company that recycles car parts, such as a Subaru recycler.

Share  

Search