MINI COOPER TURBO PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES
for JMTC Turbocharger Upgrades and Replacements.
WARNING, PLEASE READ THESE IMPORTANT NOTES!
Failure to heed these warnings can void your JMTC TurboCharger Warranty.
See also:
Turbocharger installation and Warranty information,
Turbocharger Upgrade Technology.
Turbo Installation after a failure.
• Before installing a new turbocharger resolve the issues that caused your original turbocharger to fail! If not these same problems will cause your new turbocharger to fail sooner than the original one.
• Mini Cooper oil lines can get fully coked with oil in 40k miles, always replace the oil line with the turbo. On some occasions we have seen instantaneous turbocharger failure due to oil line being clogged.
• After the engine is turned off the catalytic converter radiates a lot of heat that will eventually kill the turbocharger. We have seen the heat from a catalytic converter on Mini coopers cause problems that will cause the turbo to leak oil in as early as 12k miles on new cars. If oil leaks or has leaked into the catalytic converter it can cause excessive back pressure and the new turbo can fail in as early as 5 months!
• After all turbocharger failures oil leaks into the catalytic converters and can cause back pressure. Back pressure in the exhaust system will kill a turbo in as early as 5 months after installing a brand new turbo. Always replace a catalytic converter after a turbocharger failure or your risk replacing the turbo again.
• Inter-cooler and post turbocharger leaks can cause your turbocharger to fail due to it over spinning to reach boost pressure. The leak will not allow the turbochargers to reach boost pressure and it can cause the compressor to grenade throwing aluminum chunks into your engine. Always fix any intake leaks immediately.
• A clogged air filter can cause your turbocharger to fail due to it over spinning to reach boost pressure. The clogged air filter will not allow the turbochargers to reach boost pressure and it can cause the compressor to grenade throwing aluminum chunks into your engine. Always replace your air cleaner as recommended by the OEM manufacture.
• If the turbocharger compressor wheel nut is missing FIND IT OR IT CAN END UP IN YOUR TURBO OR ENGINE!
Upgraded Turbochargers
• Mini Cooper oil lines can get fully coked with oil in 40k miles, always replace the oil line with the turbo. On some occasions we have seen instantaneous turbocharger failure due to oil line being clogged.
• Upgraded turbochargers provide 15% to 40% more air flow, this means that the exhaust side will have 30% to 60% more flow. The OEM catfold and exhaust will be undersized for the additional flow. A 10% increase in back pressure over time will cause turbocharger failure. We recommend upgrading your exhaust to a minimum of 3” or larger to handle additional flow.
• Turning off your car when the turbo is hot, can cause compressor side shaft droop. This is more common on the K03 (quick spool) because the smaller exhaust builds more heat. Always idle your car for a minimum of 5 minutes. Cars without a catalytic converter or cars that have had the cat relocated 2 feet away from the turbocharger will take 5 minutes to cool the exhaust from 1300°F to below 500°F. For cars with a catfold (6 inches from the turbocharger) we recommend idling the car for 30 minutes to cool the exhaust temps from 1300°F to 900°F. (this may seem excessive however your turbo will only last about 40k to 60k miles if you do not relocate your cat)
Turbocharger Care
• Use only ACEA (European speck oil) oil and change your oil every 4k miles. Changing oil every 15k miles can cause turbos to fail in as early as 40k miles.
• Oil burns at 200°F, and that burnt oil will kill your turbocharger in as early as 20k. always idle your car for a minimum of 5 minutes. Cars without a catalytic converter or cars that have had the cat relocated 2 feet away from the turbocharger will take 5 minutes to cool the exhaust from 1300f to below 500f. For cars with a catfold (6 inches from the turbocharger) we recommend idling the car for 30 minutes to cool the exhaust temps from 1300°F to 900°F. (this may seem excessive however your turbo will only last about 40k to 60k miles if you do not relocate your cat)
Please feel free to contact us any time if you have any questions on troubleshooting turbocharger issues, installation questions, or troubleshooting help. Ph 480-559-5401 email [email protected]