1.4 turbo reliability and lifespan

[yam2seca]

I love this car -- it may be my next vehicle. I just don't know about the reliability of the turbo 1.4 vs the regular 1.8.. I know that they have made giant strides in the turbo engine world , but will the modern turbo (such as these in small 4 cylinder engines) last as long (and be as reliable) as their
naturally aspirated counterparts?

 

[Preloader]

Yes, even though it is a sleeve bearing turbo and not the more reliable ball bearing kind, the oil and water-cooling design allow it to operate at 90k rpm very safely.

We've had owners beat on them pretty hard for more than 40k miles so far with zero issues. Today's modern turbos' tight clearances and minimal shaft play have made them extremely reliable, not to mention the engine has hardened internals and a timing chain to stand up against the extra performance.

 

[Sonic]

You've been a member here long enough to have seen if any issues of reliability were popping up. These cars with the 1.4 have proven to be reliable, even when modded and or beat on. End of story.

 

[Stew]

Modern engines and turbos along with todays oils and engine management make for turbo engines that can last as long as any naturally aspirated engine. Big rig trucks have their turbo engines (which operate at much greater pressures) rebuilt at what, a million miles? I know, whole different animal but the point is, turbo charged engines are fine. It's life span has more to do with how you drive it and maintain it.

 

[yam2seca]

You've been a member here long enough to have seen if any issues of reliability were popping up. These cars with the 1.4 have proven to be reliable, even when modded and or beat on. End of story.

Let me be more to the point. I don't think anyone has racked up over 100,000 miles on either version yet... The powertrain warranty is over at 5 years or 100,000 miles. I'd like to know about turbo reliability in the long term .. not in the first 30-50,000 miles.

 

[Eric Smit]

then you'll be waiting for a while.

 

[yam2seca]

Good point about the big trucks ; I used to drive them years ago. But.. I remember that auto turbos had a host of problems back in the 80's and 90's.

 

[Eric Smit]

it's 2013...

 

[yam2seca]

it's 2013...

So very true...

 

[Preloader]

Let me be more to the point. I don't think anyone has racked up over 100,000 miles on either version yet... The powertrain warranty is over at 5 years or 100,000 miles. I'd like to know about turbo reliability in the long term .. not in the first 30-50,000 miles.

How can any one answer that.

I've seen plenty of normally aspirated engines take a dive before 100k, so using the 100k mark isn't confirming anything.

Once you get passed 100k all bets are off.

If you want someone to tell you that there is a production car that will never need service, go to 4chan, the trolls will ftfy.

 

[yam2seca]

How can any one answer that.

I've seen plenty of normally aspirated engines take a dive before 100k, so using the 100k mark isn't confirming anything.

Once you get passed 100k all bets are off.

If you want someone to tell you that there is a production car that will never need service, go to 4chan, the trolls will ftfy.

Well ... I have a 2003 Hyundai Elantra (non-turbo 4 cylinder) with 130,000 miles on it -- the engine runs like a top. Of course , I have always changed the oil (according to manuf. specs) , filters , plugs , etc. These days , 100,000 miles is nothing on the newer cars. I would say that 200,000 is the new normal , though not many actually keep their cars that long.

 

[sx sonic]

Good point about the big trucks ; I used to drive them years ago. But.. I remember that auto turbos had a host of problems back in the 80's and 90's.

They did. Among the causes were inadequate oils, turbos that were only oil cooled, less precise operating software, and poor maintenance.

Many of the problems that were more common on earlier turbos are non existent now.

As Eric mentioned if you really want to know which is more reliable you're going to have to wait awhile. Maybe check out the cruze forum as the engines have been in use longer on that platform.

Then you'll need to use some reasoning to get an accurate picture because the 1.8 is far more common and will have a higher number of failures (even if the % of failures for each engine is identical).. then factor in that the 1.4t is the platform that is more likely to be modded and the added power and driving habits will eat into the normal reliability. Meaning some of the failures are a wash for your stats.


Such thinking is intrinsic to me and I'll tell you I'm not worried about my tuned 1.4t dieing before the average 1.8

 

[yam2seca]

Good info -- thanks!

 

[laborsmith]

Both engine have gone 100,000 miles. GM, like several other car makers, has a program where several examples of each iteration of each vehicle are actually driven that amount of miles. These companies hire people to the driving. Of course the cars powertrains are not modified and recommended maintenance is done at the correct intervals, but they do achieve 100,000 miles.

Suffice it to say they would not do a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty unless they new in real life as well on paper the vehicle could do 100,000 miles.

Laborsmith

 

[yam2seca]

I guess that I am more concerned with + 100,000 reliability. Most cars can easily go 100,000 miles today , if they are maintained.

 

[laborsmith]

Well then, that is a different concern.

Have you considered a V8 engined car? Twice as many cylinders halves the amount of stress.

Laborsmith

 

[yam2seca]

Nope! I enjoy the better mpg!

 

[Eric Smit]

Well then, that is a different concern.

Have you considered a V8 engined car? Twice as many cylinders halves the amount of stress.

Laborsmith

my 2000 Cadillac DTS coasted to 193k before I had any issues and got rid of it when I went to basic. Sold it to the guy across the street. He replaced the injectors and now it has almost 350k.

 

[ChrisJ]

V8 = twice as many parts to fail.


I could swear I remember people saying the 1.4 turbo had a ball bearing turbo and not sleeve?

 

[SonicBoy24]

You've been a member here long enough to have seen if any issues of reliability were popping up. These cars with the 1.4 have proven to be reliable, even when modded and or beat on. End of story.

I will enjoy my timeout!