Saw a guy use brake cleaner on a cold turbo inlet. Almost lost it.

Was helping a buddy at his shop outside Phoenix last Friday. New guy shows up, sprays brake cleaner directly into the turbo inlet while the engine is cold. Said he was 'cleaning carbon deposits.' That stuff leaves a residue that turns into varnish when it hits hot metal. I had to stop him before he wrecked the VGT vanes. Seen three turbos come in this year with sticky vanes from that exact mistake. Why are people still using brake parts cleaner on induction systems? Has anyone else dealt with a noob doing this and had to argue with them about it?

2 comments

2 Comments

emerychen1mo ago

Did your buddy show him the hard way or just make him watch a YouTube video?

jenny5801mo ago

Did @emerychen's buddy actually go hands-on, or was it more of a lecture with a screen?