Compressor Cover damage – Corrosion
In the image, you can see corrosion damage to the seal area and inlet of the compressor cover. This type of damage is extremely common with Porsche units as, with the turbos sited so low down on the vehicle, they catch all the road debris that gets flung up from the back wheels. Over time, this causes the surfaces of the compressor cover to corrode.
The seal area is where the seal plate or bearing housing locates into the compressor cover, and when this becomes corroded, it ceases to be airtight and will leak.
Other forms of compressor cover corrosion damage to the profile can occur when the vehicle is sat idle for long periods of time. It is also very common on marine applications and on plant machinery that is open to the elements. Corrosion to the profile increases the gap between the compressor cover and the compressor wheel, which results in a loss of efficiency.