Understanding Turbocharger Failures and How to Avoid Them

Understanding Turbocharger Failures and How to Avoid Them

 A turbocharger is the most powerful add-on your vehicle can have. It can massively improve your vehicle’s power and fuel economy, but it tends to fail when not properly maintained. In this article, we look at the most common reasons why there could be failure of Turbo repair  and how to make sure Turbo Charger does not fail.

Common Causes of Turbocharger Failures

 Lack of Lubrication: Running short on oil is one of the most common reasons for turbocharger failure. Turbochargers are very fast, and they need a steady supply of clean oil that reaches all parts of the speedy machine. If the turbo runs out of oil, the moving parts will seize up and cause the turbo to blow. 

 Quality of Oil: Once the turbocharger is getting sufficient oil it needs to be of good enough quality. If the oil is contaminated with dirt or other particles that will be brought into the turbo, the abrasive particles will create unnecessary wear and damage to bearings, seals, turbines and other parts of the turbocharger.

 Foreign Object Ingestion: This can occur when something gets sucked up while driving on a dirt road with a dirty air filter or when something like dirt, dust or even metal shavings gets in through the exhaust portion of the turbocharger. This can potentially damage the blades of the compressor or the turbine.

 Overboost: Overboosting happens when the turbo produces more boost than the engine can handle. If the wastegate has failed, the boost pressure will become too high. This stresses the turbo and can accelerate internal engine and turbo damage or wear.

 EGT too high: Turbochargers can get very hot – especially in a performance or heavy-duty application. The exhaust gases mustn’t get so hot that damage is done to turbine components, especially the turbine housing.

How to Avoid Turbocharger Failures

 Oil Changes: Regular oil changes are the single most important thing you can do to prevent turbo failure. High-quality fresh oil keeps the turbocharger well lubricated and free from contamination. Follow your automaker’s recommendations for oil changes.

 Use The Right Oil. If you use the right oil, your turbocharger shouldn’t be on trouble Right Oil isn’t just right oil: it’s the right oil for both your engine and your turbocharger. Some manufacturers suggest a higher-performance oil or even a synthetic such as Mobil 1, 2FA Sunday 2. Upgrade Your Brakes. If you want to protect your brakes – and have more to spend – go for slotted or cross-drilled rotors, which dissipate heat more effectively.

 Keep that air filter clean: Dirt and other debris can compromise the piece of equipment, so make it a habit to regularly inspect and replace your air filter to make sure that your engine gets oxygen free of contaminants.

 Boost Pressure (if equipped with boost gauge): Check the strength of the pressure (boost) that is created by the turbocharger to see if it’s within safe parameters. Have a mechanic look into your wastegate (and possibly other parts) if the boost reading is higher than normal.

 Let the Turbo Cool Down: After speeding or towing, don’t immediately shut off the engine. Let the engine idle for a minute or two below speed, allowing for gradual transfer of heat out of the turbo and preventing turbo-related damage. 

Preventive Maintenance Tips

 To ensure a long life for your turbo, avoid the usual causes of turbo failure, as well as performing routine maintenance:

 Check Hoses and Connections: Check the hoses and connections around the turbo for wear, cracking and leaks. Hoses that are old or loose can reduece boost pressure and affect turbo performance.

 Exhaust Leak: Exhaust leaks in the exhaust system ruin turbocharger efficiency by allowing exhaust gases to escape the exhaust before reaching the turbine. Look the exhaust system over and look for any type leaks in the system.

 Monitor your engine performance: Pay attention to your vehicle’s performance. Take note if you have a sudden lack of power, poor acceleration, or a decreased fuel economy and have it repaired by an auto repair shop.

Early Warning Signs of Turbo Failure

 Getting a head start on the early warning signs of turbo failure can put you ahead of the curve and prevent a major incident down the road. Pay attention to these signs:

 If accompanied by a squealing or whining sound on acceleration, this could indicate the turbo bearings are failing.

 Too Much Smoke: Grey or blue smoke in the exhaust can mean that the turbocharger or exhaust system has oil seeping into it. Black smoke can mean the turbo isn’t getting sufficient air.

 Loss of Power: If the turbocharger isn’t generating enough boost pressure, there might be a noticeable loss of power or sluggish acceleration.

 Increased Fuel Use: If your ride is using more gas than it should, it could be a sign the turbo is packing up. After a turbo is damaged, the power will have to suck from the engine to make up for the pressure loss; this is known as gas mileage.

Conclusion

 The failures we see in turbos are highly expensive, but many common causes can be avoided by good maintenance and attention to early warning clues. Routine oil changes, keeping air filters turning the right way, and monitoring boost pressure, for example, can dramatically mitigate the risk of a turbo failure. If you know your turbo is playing up, please take care of it early on, otherwise repairs will be much bigger and more expensive down the track.