March 2020

38 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2020 TURBOS www.aftermarketonline.net “ Turbo chargers feature on the engines of more vehicles than ever before,” said Colin Cottrell, Marketing and Central Operations Director at Euro Car Parts, “in line with the drive towards engine efficiency and lower emissions.” He went onto explain how this is good news for independents: “Increasing numbers of turbo-charged vehicles are now out of warranty and entering the independent aftermarket, which presents an opportunity for garages with the right skillset to offer repairs and replacements. “Turbo replacements are relatively straightforward and can be completed according to vehicle manufacturers’ guidelines, freeing up more experienced team members for higher-value jobs. The use of remanufactured turbos is increasingly common in the independent aftermarket – mainly because they come at a more competitive price, without compromising on performance or reliability.“ Colin added: “Our TURBOJETZT range of 900-plus remanufactured turbos is tested to OE standards, and all units come with a standard two-year and optional lifetime warranty.” Opportunities The downside is that the engine itself becomes more complex, with more problems for the garage to solve when it goes wrong. There are other considerations too. Jon Roughley, Global Marketing Director at First Line observed: “Due to the abundance of turbocharged cars being produced in recent times, to meet emissions standards, there are big opportunities for a competitively priced product to service the market. This is because, currently, main dealers price their product very high.” Looking the importance of sourcing the right turbo components, Jon made a salient point about turbo hoses: “At first, a low-quality hose will function the same as a high-quality hose. However, these usually have synthetic filler material or poor fitting clips, which will eventually fail. A damaged or split hose will lead to a loss of turbocharger boost, causing a lack of performance, increased emissions and reduced fuel economy. In some vehicles, it will also cause the engine to go into ‘limp-home’ mode and/or the dashboard check engine light to come on. “These risks are a common occurrence when fitting a low-quality hose and as the part is such a vital component in an engine, it’s crucial that it’s premium standard to ensure safety, reliability and longevity.” On fitment, Jon said: “When replacing a turbo hose, it is recommended that the vehicle be checked for any fault codes, as hose failure can sometimes be caused by an overboost condition due to a faulty sensor. Also, technicians should ensure the turbo oil seals are in good order, as worn seals can lead to oil being present in the hoses, which will result in degradation of the rubber and ultimately, premature failure.” Jon added: “First Line is regularly expanding its turbocharger hose offering to respond to a demand in the aftermarket. The range today has more than 800 part numbers, which accommodates the most popular applications and gives technicians a wide array of choice for the component. Plus, we provide technical layout drawings within our WebCat to aid in the identification process and accurate look-up.” Prevention With turbos, as with most things, prevention is preferable to cure. With this in mind, Mike Schlup, Managing Director at Kalimex, the UK distributors for JLM Lubricants said: “Looking after the turbo is the best way to avoid premature failures. A regime of preventative maintenance using products developed specifically for the trade will help to keep the turbo in good condition, helping it to develop optimal boost and also to reduce emissions and running costs. “JLM Lubricants, pioneers of the original DPF Cleaner have expanded their product range to incorporate a Above: JLM Diesel Turbo Cleaner TURBO-CHARGED The increasing use of turbocharging on engines means you need to be able to deal with these components