Turbocharger Balancing

An absolutely critical aspect of turbo service.
By Mike Mavrigian

Crankshaft balancing is vital to obtain smooth engine performance and the elimination of detrimental harmonics that can not only reduce performance output but can cause premature wear to engine bearings, including the potential for crankshaft failure during high RPM/high load conditions. While a state of slight unbalance (depending on the severity) might allow an engine to operate for a duration of time with less than ideal performance or longevity, an out of balance turbo can quickly result in catastrophic failure. This article provides an insight regarding turbo balance, and is an excerpt from AERA’s engine balancing manual.