The Best Garage in Birmingham to Handle Your Acura’s Turbocharger Boost Lag

Speed and efficiency are features of a great engine in any car. While Acura is a great brand, your model may need an extra engine boost for better speed and efficiency. The turbocharger can be your path to mower power. However, this does not mean that turbochargers do not have their challenges.

A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to boost a performance device to pump more air into your engine for increased power. This is different from using the engine’s crankshaft to do this, as with a supercharger. The turbo can give you more power without taxing your engine, but there can be a catch. A turbocharger boost lag is a common complaint in many performance enhancement engines, so let’s take a closer look at why this occurs.

What is a Turbocharger Boost Lag and the Common Causes?

If you are a car enthusiast, you may have heard about turbo boost lag on various occasions and wondered what it means. The turbo boost lag is the delay you feel when you press your Acura’s accelerator and the moment the power boost kicks into the engine. This usually happens in most turbos because it takes some time for the exhaust gases, which are necessary for the turbo’s actions, to reel the turbines for the needed speed.

While a turbo boost lag only lasts for about a second, it could get worse if certain factors are not in place. Some common causes of an increased turbo boost lag in a car are below:

• Exhaust Leaks: A leak in your Acura’s exhaust system can increase the risk of a turbo boost lag. The turbocharger depends on gasses from the exhaust system to provide sufficient pressure for an engine boost. However, a leak could cause these gasses to escape, making them unavailable for the Turbo’s actions; this, leading to an increased lag.
• Faulty Wastegate: The wastegate is an essential component of a turbocharger. Its role is to the pressure that drives the Turbocharger’s functions. If the wastegate fails to close when there is a low-boost, it could lead to an increased turbo lag.
• Air-Fuel Mixture Imbalance: An imbalance in your engine’s air-fuel mixture could also result in an increased turbo boost lag. This imbalance could be caused by a fault in the fuel system (such as faulty fuel injectors or pumps). When the air-fuel mixture is lean, the likelihood of a turbo lag happening increases.

3 Major Effects of Turbocharger Boost Lag in a Car

If your car frequently experiences a turbocharger boot lag, here are some of the effects you may see in your car:

1. Poor Acceleration: This is the most common effect of a turbocharger boost lag in any vehicle. In fact, it is the first sign many car owners detect before concluding that their car has a turbo lag. Because it takes time before the exhaust gas pressure turns the turbine for the needed engine boost, your car’s acceleration could be delayed.
2. Increased Wear & Damage: Overtime, a turbocharger boost lag can cause wear and damage to some essential car parts. The throttle pad and other turbo components are the common victims. This usually happens because most drivers have to accelerate heavily to overcome the lag and this extra force on the car components can cause them to wear out.
3. Poor Fuel efficiency: Because you may need to apply more force to get your car to overcome a turbo lag, the engine consumes more fuel for simple movements. This then results in increased fuel consumption and lower fuel efficiency.

Where to Go to Fix Turbocharger Boost Lag in your Acura

If you search online, you may find several ideas and tips to try out to reduce or eliminate turbo boost lag in your car. While some of these tips may be helpful, not all of them have favorable effects on your Acura’s engine. This is why it’s advisable to always consult an Acura specialist when looking to fix turbocharger lag issues.

Franklin Automotive is your leading garage in Birmingham with ASE-certified technicians with years of experience in handling various import car issues. For over 150 years, we have been offering exceptional maintenance and repair services to car owners all over Alabama. If you are in or around Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Pelham, or Trussville, AL, you can trust us to give your car the best treatment that it deserves to improve its efficiency and keep it in top condition for your enjoyment.