TurbochargersPlus Warranty Process.
How does the Warranty Process work?
More than 90% of initial after sales inquiries are not related to a Turbocharger defect.
Our Warranty Process is used to assess the issue.
The system is triggered after the customer submits a Warranty Form (fills in a short form – form link can be found in email sent at purchase).
The warranty case then holds all information related to the case at hand.
Turbocharger faults are complex and hard to diagnose.
We do our best to assess and filter warranty inquiries at minimum cost to both parties.
The process may identify installation or external factors contributing to the issue.
Or we may determine the fault is unable to be solved within the system, and require the Turbocharger sent back for internal inspection.
Where we have adequate information within a case to make an accurate decision, we sometimes do not require return of the Turbocharger.
This can save time and money, especially where the issue is rectified in-situ, and does not require un-installing or re-installing components.
We also have a factory that will not warranty turbos we send in, that don’t conform to the terms of our warranty stipulations.
A Turbocharger is only faulty by defect manufacture when we deem so, and only after we complete the warranty case, and sometimes only after internal examination and analysis of the item.
If the fault relates to an actual manufacture defect, it comes under our Limited Warranty (limited to parts supplied).
Turbocharger Quality Control
A vast majority of initial ‘defects’ reported are related to install and operation.
And the many of those failures occur soon after install.
Only around 2%-3% of Turbochargers fail in the first 2 or 3 operational years, due to a true manufacture defect.
Factory Quality Control (QC) standards need to be high and precise, as Turbocharges are precision machinery.
Turbo impellers / turbines spin up to working speeds of around 100,000 to 180,000 (depending on model).
Factory QC includes VSR (Vibration Sorting Rig) bench balancing, as an absolute requirement.
Balancing the compressor and turbine ends of the CHRA, ensure imbalances are eliminated to allow vibration-less, high-speed spin.
Likewise, bench flow-testing is done on Variable Nozzle Technology (VNT) Turbocharges to ensure correct operation of vanes.
The process calibrates variable-vane/nozzle Turbochargers to original flow parameters.
And is done for both pneumatically operated, and electronically actuated, VNT Turbochargers.
Additionally, the flow testing process allows for pressure testing of the oil / gas ‘seals’ in the CHRA.
The QC process also includes the torque and testing of every nut and bolt on the Turbocharger.
You may notice small paint marks on these parts of a Turbocharger, showing they have been through QC.
Turbocharger Warranty Checks
If we have a turbocharger returned for internal warranty inspection, we dis-assemble and create a report with photos on findings.
We often get assurances that correct installation or vehicle operation has been adhered to.
But unfortunately internal inspections often reveal issues such as:
‘blueing’ on the shaft (from excessive heat from lack of oil flow)
Usually accompanied by:
Scoring of the shaft and damage to the bearing system (oil flow / lubrication issue and/or ‘dirty’ oil).
And there are many other issues relating to Turbocharger Installation Faults and Turbocharger Vehicle Operational Faults.
But problems associated with oil, contribute to a vast majority of Turbocharger failure.
Here is more information on Turbocharger Oil Systems and why it’s so Important.
There are certain practices that must be followed without exception, when installing a new Turbocharger.
We have seen many turbo installation cases where prior to install, ultra-sonic cleaning or replacing oil feed line has not been completed.
Or no priming of the oil gallery and oil feed line before initial startup on a new install, or after draining oil at an oil / filter service.
This often creates immediate failure of the Turbo, or a significant decrease in operational life span.
The global standard for Turbocharger install, was created by Honeywell Garrett (the largest Turbocharger manufacturer).
The standard sets out a “Best Practice for Turbocharger Installation”, and we use that standard as a template for successful Turbocharger installation.
Additionally, before installing a new Turbocharger, the question needs to be asked:
Why did the original Turbocharger fail?
Occasionally it is just age-related wear.
But if not, it is VERY important to fix the underlying cause before installing a new Turbocharger, to ensure the issue is not being replicated.
We will honor warranty if install and operation conforms to warranty requirements & Terms and Conditions of Sale, as set out above, in the email you received at purchase, or found in or Warranty Documentation.
So rest assured, if it is a manufacture defect (warranty case), your case will be dealt with in a professional manner.
And it simply comes down to this:
If the problem has to do with Turbocharger Installation Faults, or Vehicle Operational Faults, then it is not a warranty.
If it is a manufacture defect, as proven by analysis of the issue, it is a warranty.
And if the diagnosis remains uncertain, we will warranty the product.
If you have queries on our TurbochargersPlus Warranty Process, or our Turbochargers and parts, please contact our sales support on: 0490 059 316.