I just received my February 2014 issue of Aviation Consumer and read with interest the article on turbochargers, since I’ve been flying my Mooney 231 converted to a 252 for the past 6500 hours and 27 years. I was surprised at the estimated turbo “surcharge” of $25 per hour, with “most of it being for a $2200 overhaul at 1200 hours.” If you were to put aside $25 per hour for 1200 hours (to cover a $2200 overhaul), that would be $30,000. Let’s say the engine made it to 1500 hours. The turbo allowance would have amounted to $37,500, which for me would more than cover both the engine and turbo overhaul.
Luckily for me, my experience has been much better. My Garrett turbo frequently lasts longer than an engine overhaul and my cost for a turbo overhaul at 1500 hours for a cost of $2200 only comes out to a turbo tax of $1.47 per hour. Even if you overhaul the controller and wastegate at TBO, that would be an extra $2000 at the extreme outside, resulting in a total turbo penalty of $4200 for 1500 hours, which is $2.80 per hour.