CriticalCommonEngine

Honda Zest: P07A Turbo Oil Feed Line Clogging and Turbocharger Failure

P07A Turbo Oil Feed Line Clogging and Turbocharger Failure is a common engine fault on the Honda Zest on the 2006–2012 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $1,200 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 6 documented faults on the Honda Zest.

Vehicle: Honda Zest
Engine: 0.66L
Years: 2006–2012
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Engine

This page covers the Honda Zest as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Zest faults6 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Turbocharger yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The P07A 0.66-litre turbocharged engine uses a narrow oil feed banjo bolt orifice to the turbocharger centre bearing. Sludge accumulation from extended oil change intervals or short-trip operation partially or fully blocks this orifice, starving the turbo of lubrication and causing catastrophic bearing and compressor wheel failure. The failure mode is progressive: early-stage restriction produces bearing noise at startup; full blockage destroys the turbo within minutes of cold start.

What you would notice

High-pitched whining or grinding noise from the turbocharger at startup or under load
Blue-grey oil smoke from the exhaust, particularly on cold start or following a trailing-throttle overrun
Loss of boost pressure and noticeable power reduction above 3,000 rpm
Oil contamination visible inside the intake pipe between intercooler and throttle body

How to check it

Where to look. Turbocharger mounted on the exhaust manifold, rear of the P07A engine block; oil feed banjo bolt at the top of the turbo centre housing

Check for blue-grey exhaust smoke at idle and under boost.
Check oil for metallic contamination.
Inspect the intercooler outlet and inlet hoses for oil pooling, which indicates shaft seal failure already in progress.
If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the turbo oil feed banjo bolt and inspect the orifice for sludge.

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

What it costs to put right

$1,200 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the turbo oil feed line or banjo bolt ever been cleaned or replaced?”
“What was the oil change interval followed on this car?”
“Has the car ever produced blue smoke or lost boost pressure?”
“Has the turbocharger been replaced or rebuilt at any point?”

Now check the Honda Zest you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Honda Zest buyer questions

Is p07a turbo oil feed line clogging and turbocharger failure serious on a Honda Zest?

We rate it critical and common on the Honda Zest. The P07A 0.66-litre turbocharged engine uses a narrow oil feed banjo bolt orifice to the turbocharger centre bearing. Sludge accumulation from extended oil change intervals or short-trip operation partially or fully blocks this orifice, starving the turbo of lubrication and causing catastrophic bearing and compressor wheel failure. The failure mode is progressive: early-stage restriction produces bearing noise at startup; full blockage destroys the turbo within minutes of cold start.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Zest?

$1,200 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Zest years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2006–2012 Honda Zest. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check for blue-grey exhaust smoke at idle and under boost. Check oil for metallic contamination. Inspect the intercooler outlet and inlet hoses for oil pooling, which indicates shaft seal failure already in progress. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the turbo oil feed banjo bolt and inspect the orifice for sludge. Look here: Turbocharger mounted on the exhaust manifold, rear of the P07A engine block; oil feed banjo bolt at the top of the turbo centre housing