I bought my Clubman off the lot July 31st. It looks like it was built in Febuary of '09.

I am wondering if it is appropriate for one of the parts of the turbo to be rusty already? It is the only on the metal to the right of what I believe is the bearing cooler. Not the outer part connected to the inlet house, but the flat face inside it facing left. I know a picture is worth a lot at this point, but I just can't get a good resolution shot with what I have at the moment.

-John
Clubbie S in PW/B

 

My turbo rusted very quickly - probably because of the high heat.

 

Both of my '07 MCS turbo housings quickly developed a light coating of rust. This part gets really hot, so paint or plating is not an option. 'Tis normal ...

 

Agreed - no paint can survive the temperatures on the exhaust side of the turbo - so light surface rust is fully normal and causes no problem what so ever.

 

Thank you guys. That helps.

I know that there isn't paint. It's just odd how there is rust on one specific part. Like you said, the exhaust will rust.

oldMGguy -> my old MG is yellow. ('79 Midget)

 

It is the extremely high temps when we are into the boost that causes increased rusting of the turbo housing. Oxidation (rust) increases at high temperatures.

The aluminum blower housing connected to the turbo with the rubber hoses is aluminum (and does not get that hot) so it stays nice and shiny.

I used to fly in a twin engine aircraft with 350 HP turbocharged engines on each wing. At night you could actually see through the louvers of the cowling and could see the turbo housings glowing a dull cherry red in flight.

Our MINI turbos - scary as it sounds - will also glow a dull red when we are heavy into the boost!! Remember how cast iron exhaust manifolds were always rusted? The turbo housing has to be a pretty heavy casting to withstand this heat and the alloy used will have surface rusting.