Turbo protection/warranty

[Brichinelo]

Long story short currently in the mix with Kia corp for replacement of turbos. They have escalated the situation to a rep so was told to hear something back within two to three business days as of yesterday. So I was just about to get my Afe intakes installed last week when two knowledgeable stinger guys in my area noticed coolant in the engine bay. Pulled the stock air boxes out and the turbo fins were dull and no bueno. The guys in my area who noticed the turbos states it’s only a matter of time before you need to replace them. Took it to the Dealership and they are stating because it’s not a mechanical failure I’m liable to cover the cost. So you literally have to wait until turbos go bad before replacing them despite knowing the turbos are bad ? Techs looked at the car and confirmed they need to be replaced. Stated something got in there and that’s what caused the issue. From the looks and how everything is playing out my warranty should cover it and the talks with Kia corp have been good in my favor. My question is how do you protect the turbos from something like this happening? Is there a way ? Would bov help? Another brand of turbos ? Used replacement turbos ? Better turbos? I’m way over my head( not mechanically inclined/ car newbie ) as to why I’m reaching out for advice. Thanks for any help . Car still drives fine and is my only vehicle at this point so just have been taking it easy for the time being.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I dont get it. So you got both turbos damaged from something getting inside?

 

[StingertimeNC]

Kia dealer said the same thing about our Sorento eating oil. stop putting in oil in between changes, and eventually it will cause a problem, and they will replace the engine under warranty. but we have to kill it first, LOL. It burns about a quart every 1k miles, which Kia reports as normal for high mileage cars.

 

[Brichinelo]

I dont get it. So you got both turbos damaged from something getting inside?

Correct and because something got in both turbos and it’s not a mechanic failure they were denying warranty. Removed the catch can before going in. Snorkels still remained. Dealership would not honor warranty and it was a lot of back and forth before taking it to Kia corp. Its looking in my favor but my question is how do you prevent something like this happening?

 

[Brichinelo]

Kia dealer said the same thing about our Sorento eating oil. stop putting in oil in between changes, and eventually it will cause a problem, and they will replace the engine under warranty. but we have to kill it first, LOL. It burns about a quart every 1k miles, which Kia reports as normal for high mileage cars.

Makes no sense to me. So literally they know something is wrong but won’t replace it until it actually goes bad ? That’s the story I’m getting with my turbos

 

[oddball]

In theory, the only way this happens is if the air filters weren't maintained properly, or some of the intake piping came loose, or the good old fashioned "shit happens".

 

[Brichinelo]

In theory, the only way this happens is if the air filters weren't maintained properly, or some of the intake piping came loose, or the good old fashioned "shit happens".

I pray I have no more serious problems but it seems my car may have been tuned prior to me getting it due to the ecu not sitting correctly in the engine bay. Once I get through this whole ordeal I’m having the inspected again.

 

[D.J.]

What is wrong with both turbos?

Is it just that they are "dull" in appearance? (The turbine which is exposed to exhaust gasses)?

Is there a boost issue?
Lack of power?
Engine codes?

 

[Brichinelo]

What is wrong with both turbos?

Is it just that they are "dull" in appearance? (The turbine which is exposed to exhaust gasses)?

Is there a boost issue?
Lack of power?
Engine codes?

These were the pics some local guys took of my both turbos. The car still runs fine and I don’t hear any weird noises but it’s only a matter of time before they do go bad. Rather jump on this now rather than later. The blade of the turbos are dull not sharp.

 

[SRV]

Those pictures look like the car was run without air filters.

 

[D.J.]

Those pictures look like the car was run without air filters.

Just on one side.

 

[Brichinelo]

Those pictures look like the car was run without air filters.

Definitely had them in there when I purchased the car and then swapped to Aem dry panel filters which I’m currently running

 

[D.J.]

Definitely had them in there when I purchased the car and then swapped to Aem dry panel filters which I’m currently running

Makes me feel a kind of way about those AEM dry filters...

 

[Brichinelo]

Just on one side.

It was both turbos according to the dealership and my local guys

 

[D.J.]

It was both turbos according to the dealership and my local guys

Don't the pictures show 1 side?

 

[Brichinelo]

Makes me feel a kind of way about those AEM dry filters...

You think those caused it or could be a contributing factor ? Maybe switch back ti oem just for peace of mind and no guessing as to the cause

 

[Brichinelo]

Don't the pictures show 1 side?

They show both . One pic is just another angle of one turbo

 

[D.J.]

They show both . One pic is just another angle of one turbo

Only 1 seems to suffer from a serious lack of air filtration!

 

[Brichinelo]

Only 1 seems to suffer from a serious lack of air filtration!

View attachment 72242

Aren’t the blades supposed to be sharp on though ? What else could contribute to turbo failure that I should possibly consider ?

 

[D.J.]

Aren’t the blades supposed to be sharp on though ? What else could contribute to turbo failure that I should possibly consider ?

Did the one turbo with the premature wear from poor air filtration actually fail though? Or does it work fine still?