Failing turbochargers are a problem for many diesel vehicle owners.
What Are Turbochargers?
A turbocharger supplies compressed air to the engine to allow combustion at a higher pressure and density than the surrounding air. The turbo air has a higher oxygen concentration, enhancing combustion for better engine torque output, cleaner emissions and more power. Offering overall better performance and fuel economy.
A turbocharger is a vital part of the engine’s system— any system failures can cause poor turbo operations and potential damage.
How Does a Turbo Work?
A turbo consists of two primary sections: the turbine and the compressor. The turbine has four parts
- Turbine wheel
- Turbine housing
- Exhaust gas
- Exhaust outlet area
The turbine housing steers the exhaust gases into the turbine wheel. The energy from the exhaust gases turns the wheel and leaves the turbine housing via the exhaust outlet area. The compressor consists of two parts
- Compressor wheel
- Compressor housing
The compressor works opposite the turbine. A forged steel shaft connects the turbine to the compressor wheel. As the turbine turns the compressor wheel, the high-speed spinning takes in air and compresses it. A turbo takes the air at atmospheric pressure, compresses it to high pressures and passes the compressed air to the engine. Through diffusion, the compressor housing changes the high-speed, low-pressure air into a high-pressure and low-speed air stream. The compressed air has a higher oxygen concentration when it flows to the combustion chamber to burn fuel, giving the engine more power.
Why Do Turbochargers Fail?
Most turbocharger failures are oil-related, starting when your oil is contaminated or your engine stops getting enough oil. Many oil starvation issues come from blocked piping, leaking pipes or lack of fitting priming.
Causes of Oil Starvation
Oil starvation can stem from:
- Low oil levels in the pump.
- Restricted flow due to bent oil feed pipe.
- A damaged oil filter.
- A damaged oil pump.
- Carbon accumulation in the oil feeding pipe.
- Silicone in the inlet gasket causing blockages.
Preventing Failure Caused by Oil Starvation
You can prevent your turbocharger from failing due to oil starvation in many ways:
- Stop using silicone on oil gaskets, as it can separate and block the oil feed holes.
- Clean oil inlet pipes to eliminate carbon buildup.
- Check the oil supply and pressure of the turbocharger regularly.
- Use new oil and oil filters when fitting a new turbo.
Causes of Oil Contamination
Your oil may be contaminated due to:
- A high carbon accumulation in the engine.
- Wear and tear of the engine, leaving particles in the oil.
- A non-functioning oil filter bypass valve.
- Accidental contamination during service.
- A blocked or broken oil filter.
- Adulterated oil from extended service intervals or high temperatures.
Preventing Failure Caused by Oil Contamination
You can prevent turbo engine problems caused by oil contamination in your turbo by:
- Using a new oil filter and new oil.
- Ensuring you use the right oil for the engine.
- Cleaning the oil inlet pipes to remove carbon accumulations.
Causes of Foreign Object Damage
The other major cause of problems with turbocharged engines is foreign objects. When foreign particles enter the engine system, they cause damage, leading to failing turbochargers. The foreign objects get into the engine, mainly from the combustion process. When the particles increase, they create an abrasive, slowly eroding and polishing the surface of the shaft and bearings and closing the oil-feeding hole until the oil no longer controls the shaft. Some causes of impact damage include:
- Items getting into the air intake due to low quality or broken air filters.
- Small particles in the intake due to broken hoses.
- Gasket material getting into the intake.
- Accidentally leaving items such as nuts and bolts in the intake during servicing.
- Damaged engine components such as valves, injector nozzles or parts of a damaged piston.
- Particles from a past turbo failure.
Preventing Failure Caused by Foreign Object Damage
To prevent problems with turbocharged engines caused by foreign objects and impact damage, you can:
- Ensure all airways are in optimal conditions and clear of any blockages.
- Replace old gaskets to guarantee a perfect seal.
- Replace old air filters.
- Check for old engine particles before fitting a new turbo.
Other Causes of Failing Turbochargers
Some other causes of turbo engine problems include:
- Wear and tear: Turbos are supposed to last the vehicle’s lifetime. However, they wear out over time depending on the use of the vehicle and the turbo quality.
- Oil leaks: An oil leak in the compressor or the turbine can cause a turbo to fail. Ensure there are no leaks in the exhaust or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.
- Stiction and Varnish: As engine oil breaks down it, leaves behind varnish and stick friction know as stiction. This buildup will slow the turbo shaft speed and lower performance.
- Overspeeding: Revving the engine can cause the turbocharger to overspeed, causing oil starvation.
- Engine idling: Extensive engine idling can create a vacuum within the turbine.
- Hard acceleration: Hard acceleration from cold denies oil the time it needs to circulate, causing oil starvation.
- Hot engine shutdown: When you shut the engine down while it is hot, excess wear can occur, contributing to bearing failure.
Signs of a Bad Turbocharger
A failing turbocharger is a serious issue for a diesel engine, and addressing problems as soon as they come up is vital. If you notice any of the following signs, your turbocharger is failing, and you must have it checked immediately to prevent further damage.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light is the first warning that something isn’t right with your engine. It can indicate many engine problems, including a bad turbocharger. When the check engine lights come on, it’s time to check your engine to diagnose the issues and prevent further damage.
Poor Performance
Sluggish performance is a key sign you have a failing turbocharger. If your vehicle’s performance reduces, your turbocharger has a problem. For instance, if your truck takes longer to accelerate, doesn’t accelerate quite as fast as it used to or doesn’t reach its top speeds, you have a bad turbocharger. If the turbo no longer kicks in to increase your engine’s power, it is faulty.
Whining Noises
Another sign that your turbo is failing is a loud whining noise like a siren when you start the engine. The noise gets louder as the turbo problems intensify, so you can assume you have issues with your turbocharger if you hear hissing, whistling or rattling from under your hood.
Excessive Smoke and Emissions
The exhaust smoke from your vehicle is another key to your vehicle’s condition. When you start the vehicle, white smoke indicates unburned fuel. If your vehicle emits blue smoke, it shows the presence of engine oils in the exhaust. Black smoke signals improperly burned fuel due to issues like dirty air filters, faulty injectors, blockages or a bad turbocharger.
Reduced Fuel Economy
A bad turbo affects your fuel consumption. If you notice that you’ve been fueling your vehicle more frequently or your vehicle is consuming more fuel, you may have a bad turbocharger.
Can You Drive With a Bad Turbocharger?
While you can drive with a failing turbocharger, you should limit doing so as much as possible because engine failure will follow. Stay on the road as long as you must, but get to a mechanic as soon as possible to change the turbocharger.
Hot Shot’s Secret Products to Reduce Turbocharger Failures
At Hot Shot’s Secret, we offer high-quality diesel and fuel oil additives to help our clients get the best performance from their diesel engines. As a leading additive and oil manufacturer, we formulate our products specifically to boost your engine performance. Our Stiction Eliminator cleans the burnt oil from turbo shafts and bearings, while Everyday Diesel Treatment and Diesel Extreme have scientifically proven formulas to reduce carbon buildup and improve engine combustion, helping your turbocharger last your vehicle’s lifetime.
Browse our catalog today to get the best fit for your vehicle. Contact us to get more information about our products.