Turbo preventative maintenance

Hi All, I think it would be really useful if there was a sticky thread listing all the preventative things we can do to avoid the headaches we all read over and over on this forum. Im not mechanic so definitely can't add to the list, but wondered if those of you who know could reply to this thread listing things that we can do to avoid seized nuts etc in the future. Im very able to remove bolts and add copper grease, just don't know which ones to focus on... TIA Todd.

To my mind, the biggest preventative job you can do on a 996 turbo is to have the coolant pipes welded, but it is an engine out job to do it. Bolts around the exhaust and turbo might well be rusty already, so you might as well wait until they need to come out. MC

Thanks MC, it might be a hopeless dream. I was wondering if we could put together a long checklist of things that we can work through every year or so. Difficult for me as I don't know any of them... but for example 1. check cat-to-turbo nuts. Renew nut, use copper grease 2. check Alan head securing bolts holding wheel arch liners. Renew screws where required (order XXX from YYY) 3. blah blah... Is this even possible? or just a waste of time? (happy to drop if so) Todd.

seems like you are looking for Porsche's delaership mechanics maintenance schedule? Most probably they have a list of items to check at certain mileage or age.

Hi Carpe, Not really - I was after real-world experience top-tips. A list of the things that you read on this forum that could be avoided if you checked it every year, or replaced a nut, undid/greased a screw, tighten something up, etc... For example, I've just replaced the screws that attach the wheel-ache liners. These screws were rusty and undo with a torq driver. If too rusty they will easily strip and need drilling out. Such an easy job to do now, and a pain in the butt if left too long. It might just be that there isn't anything specific and its a case of 'whatever is exposed to the elements'. Todd,

I ordered a full set of rear bumper screws/bolts etc last week from Design911. I've seen the same issue with some of those bolts becoming seized. I'd say one of the best things you can do is get under the car once a month and wipe down the oil and coolant pipes. Keep them as clean as you can so they are then unlikely to be mistakenly noted as advisories or worse on an MOT. My car had several advisories on the last MOT stating corroded brake pipes. An awkward hour lying on my drive with a small sponge and some water has revealed they aren't corroded - merely caked in crud! Even the joins into the calipers etc look nice once cleaned up. Keep your wastegate arms moving by using the car on WOT once every few weeks. I tend to do this on a quiet dual carriageway late of an evening. Drop the speed to 40 then nail it in 4th so the boost builds slowly up to 0.7bar at 70. Then repeat several times to ensure the wastegate arms are getting moved. EDIT - obviously when I am actually using the car as intended each week i dont bother with the wastegate-drives lol :drive:

This sounds great, thanks Andy. I did a sparks/coil/oil/filter home service the other week and noticed the bottom end of my intercoolers were corroded, so I stripped down and painted. At the same time I renewed most/all bolts and screws. Felt good I like the idea of cleaning up the brake lines - will do that soonish. I manually opened the waste gate the other day while doing the service - I assume this is ok also? Not that the car doesn't get used WOT often enough Thanks again

Remove your rear number plate light bulb holders and clean all the contacts. On mine i needed to order new light holders because mine were falling apart lol £60 for a pair. Quick fix (if a tad overpriced for what they are lol)

I believe the actuaters on the turbo spolier become problematic over time. Not sure what can be done in preventative maintenance on these though? The exhaust manifold bolts could be checked every 5 years for those who've had them replaced. Brakes - calipers , pads out, cleaned every year to keep them optimum condition. Deep clean of alloys, inside rim and inner spokes and protected annually.

exhaust mani bolts is a biggie

Had the rear bumper off mine the other day - all four reverse sensors were rusted to oblivion (which explains why the reverse park sensor stopped working about 6 months ago lol) Not sure yet if i will also need a new loom, but certainly 4x new sensors. If you have them, take the bumper off and disconnect and clean them :thumb:

Thanks everyone. So far we have :- turbo-cat bolts and turbo-manifold bolts - replace when bad. coolant pipes - reweld when engine out. spoiler actuator - unsure of maintenance. exhaust manifold bolts - replace if bad. wheel-arch liner screws - replace if rusty bumper securing bolts/screws - replace if rusty wipe down oil/coolant pipes - MOT fail move waste-gate arms - by hand or by foot... lower intercooler securing bolts - replace if rusty. rear number plate light-bulb holder - clean contacts calipers - clean once a year. brake pads - out and clean once a year. four reversing sensors - disconnect, remove, clean.

Just wanted to bring this thread to the top again. Really good real world set of preventatives that you can mainly do yourself. Exhaust tip bolts can be added. I clean mine regulary and take off but the first time I did were rusted solid so cut off and replaced. Does anyone take off the undertrays to review what is going on periodically?

Ah yes, I had to cut&smash my exhaust tip bolts as well. I'll add it So far we have :- turbo-cat bolts and turbo-manifold bolts - replace when bad. coolant pipes - reweld when engine out. spoiler actuator - unsure of maintenance. exhaust manifold bolts - replace if bad. wheel-arch liner screws - replace if rusty bumper securing bolts/screws - replace if rusty wipe down oil/coolant pipes - MOT fail move waste-gate arms - by hand or by foot... lower intercooler securing bolts - replace if rusty. rear number plate light-bulb holder - clean contacts calipers - clean once a year. brake pads - out and clean once a year. four reversing sensors - disconnect, remove, clean. exhaust tip bolts - clean. replace if rusty.

hi i can add something here its not entirely turbo relevant but 996. Grease the brake lines and check for corrosion regularly.