Identifying a turbo fault

IDENTIFYING A TURBO FAULT

Noise, loss of power, smoke, fuel consumption d'oil or mode' dFaulty? Find out the main possible causes before replacing your turbocharger.

Before replacing your turbocharger

A turbo failure is not always caused by the turbocharger itself. A lubrication problem, d'admission' d'air, dProblems with the exhaust system, engine ventilation, variable geometry or control systems can cause the same symptoms.

1. Turbocharger inspection

After dWhen removing the pipe connecting the air filter to the turbocharger, carefully check the rotor play.

If the radial play is sufficiently large for allowing the wheels to touch the casing; the turbocharger is wearing out excessively.

If the compressor wheel or turbine wheel comes into contact with its housing, the turbocharger must be checked or replaced.

2. Turbo unusual noise or whistling sound

Possible causes:

  • Air filter or intake d'stuffy air'.
  • Conduit d'blocked inlet'.
  • Contaminated or damaged compressor wheel.
  • Leak d'air between the air filter and the turbo'.
  • Leak between the turbo and the manifold d'admission'.
  • Leak at the manifold d'admission'.
  • Gas leak d'exhaust before or after the turbo'.
To be checked

Check the hoses, clamps and pipes d'intake, air filter, manifolds and fittings' d'exhaust' before concluding that a dTurbo failure.

3. Consumption d'excessive oil'

Possible causes:

  • Admission d'stuffy air'.
  • Return pipe d'clogged oil'.
  • Turbo bearing housing clogged or carbonised.
  • Contaminated compressor wheel.
  • Leak on the circuit d'admission'.
  • Poor ventilation of the engine sump.
  • Worn piston rings or cylinder liners.
  • General engine wear and tear.

Poor oil drainage from the turbocharger can cause pressure to build up in the central housing and result in the passage of d'oil on the compressor side or the turbine side'.

4. Loss of engine power

The main points to check:

  • Air filter and ducts d'admission'.
  • Hoses between the turbo, intercooler and manifold d'admission'.
  • Intercooler blocked, punctured or dDefective.
  • Leak in the turbocharger circuit.
  • Leak on the manifold d'exhaust'.
  • Catalyst or line d'blocked exhaust'.
  • Pipes for dDamaged turbocharger intake pipes.
  • Wastegate or valve dDischarge dIneffective.
  • Variable geometry system seized up or clogged.
  • Boost pressure sensor dDefective.
  • DFlow meter d'air' dDefective.
  • Clogged EGR valve.
  • Problem d'fuel injection or engine wear'.
Important

A loss of power does not, therefore, automatically mean that the turbocharger is out of action.

5. Leak d'oil on the compressor side'

Possible causes:

  • Admission d'obstructed or severely restricted airflow'.
  • Back d'oil from the blocked turbo'.
  • Central housing clogged or carbonised.
  • Major leak in the circuit d'admission'.
  • Poor ventilation of the engine sump.
  • Excessive pressure in the engine sump.
  • Engine wear and tear.

The presence d'Oil in the intake system does not therefore necessarily mean that the turbocharger seals are dDefective.

6. Leak d'turbine-side oil'

In particular, check the following:

  • The return pipe d'oil'.
  • The condition of the bearing housing.
  • Engine sump ventilation.
  • Internal engine pressure.
  • The condition of the segments and cylinders.

A leak d'Oil on the turbine side may cause the oil to burn on contact with the gases' dThe exhaust system and cause blue smoke to appear.

7. Blue smoke from the exhaust

Blue smoke usually indicates the presence of d'oil burnt by the engine or in the system' d'exhaust'.

Possible causes:

  • Admission d'stuffy air'.
  • Back d'oil from the blocked turbo'.
  • Charred bearing housing.
  • Leak d'air in the turbocharger circuit'.
  • Poor ventilation of the engine sump.
  • Wear on the piston rings or cylinders.
  • Engine wear and tear.
WARNING

A significant amount d'Oil in the intake system can pose a serious risk' for the engine. Have the vehicle checked before continuing your journey.

8. Black smoke from the exhaust

Black smoke may appear when the amount d'There is insufficient air available relative to the amount of fuel injected'.

Possible causes:

  • Clogged air filter or air intake.
  • A punctured boost hose or dDislocated.
  • Intercooler dDefective.
  • Manifold d'clogged intake'.
  • Gas leak d'the exhaust pipe before the turbo'.
  • Catalytic converter or blocked exhaust.
  • Contaminated or damaged compressor wheel.
  • Problem d'injection'.
  • Engine wear and tear.

9. Motor in mode dDemoted

A switch to dPower loss may be caused by boost pressure that is too low or too high.

To be checked:

  • Clogged or seized variable geometry.
  • Variable-geometry control ring.
  • Boost pressure sensor.
  • Pneumatic or electronic turbo control.
  • Injectors or system d'injection'.

If the dIf the fault disappears after switching the engine off and then restarting it, but then reoccurs, the problem must be diagnosed: restarting the engine does not eliminate the cause of the fault.

10. Loss of power at high revs

  • Pressure sensor dDefective.
  • DFlow meter d'contaminated air or' dDefective.
  • Clogged EGR valve.
  • Catalytic converter or blocked exhaust.
  • Problem d'injection'.

11. Power loss when the engine is hot

  • Conduct of dDamaged turbocharger housing.
  • Catalytic converter blocked.
  • Fuel pump or system d'injection' dDefective.

12. Excessive turbo pressure

Main causes:

  • Variable geometry blocked by soot.
  • Seized variable-geometry control ring.
  • Wastegate or valve dOutlet stuck in the closed position.
  • DFault in the turbocharger control system.

Excessive pressure may cause the engine to switch to dDeteriorate and, if left unchecked, damage the turbocharger or d'other engine components'.

Do not replace a turbocharger without first investigating the cause of the fault

When a turbocharger is damaged, it is essential d'to identify and rectify the cause before fitting the new turbo'. Otherwise, the new turbocharger may quickly suffer the same damage.

NEED D'HELP' For HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR TURBO ?

Please have your turbo part number or your vehicle details to hand. The ALFI TURBO team can help you identify the right product code.

CONTACT ALFI TURBO

Turbo: specialists in turbochargers since 2012

ALFI TURBO specialises in the sale of turbochargers for for cars, commercial vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, construction machinery, agricultural machinery and boats: new turbochargers, remanufactured units, hybrid turbochargers, Cartridge and turbocharger spare parts. Over 20,000 items are available.

Find the right turbocharger for your engine

The turbocharger plays a vital role in the operation and performance d of a turbocharged engine. When a turbocharger needs replacing, it is important d to identify the exact part number before ordering.

ALFI TURBO supplies turbochargers for for a wide range of makes and engine types: cars, commercial vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, construction machinery, tractors and agricultural machinery, as well as various marine applications.

You can search for your turbo based on the vehicle or application, engine type, engine code, or directly using d an OEM or manufacturer part number found on your old turbocharger.

Turbo new, remanufactured, hybrid and Cartridge

Turbo new

Browse our range of new turbochargers for for diesel and petrol engines. ALFI TURBO has over 5,500 new turbochargers in stock for covering a wide range of makes, engine types and turbocharger part numbers.

View new turbochargers →

Turbo as remanufactured units

A standard exchange turbo allows you to replace a turbocharger whilst returning the old part where a deposit is required. Our catalogue includes numerous part numbers for from various makes and engine types.

View standard exchange turbochargers →

Hybrid Turbo

Hybrid turbos are designed for set-ups requiring greater air flow d and higher performance potential than a standard set-up. Specifications depend on the turbo, its tuning and the engine configuration.

View hybrid turbos →

Cartridge turbo

The turbo Cartridge, also known as the central turbo cartridge, comprises the main rotating components of the turbocharger. ALFI TURBO has over 6,000 Cartridge for turbo part numbers.

View turbo Cartridge →

for turbochargers for a wide range of applications

Our catalogue covers a wide range of d applications fitted with d a turbocharged engine.

  • diesel and petrolcars;
  • commercial vehicles;
  • heavy goods vehicles and lorries;
  • construction and civil engineeringmachinery;
  • tractors and agricultural machinery;
  • boats and marine applications.

How do you identify the correct turbo part number?

A single engine type may have been fitted with several different turbochargers depending on theYear, power output, engine version or technical evolution.. The application alone is therefore not always sufficient for to accurately identify the correct turbo.

Before ordering, note down the part numbers shown on the identification plate d of your old turbocharger. This may be d an OEM part number or d a part number from the turbo manufacturer.

Compare these part numbers with those listed on our product pages.. If in doubt, our team can help you verify the part number you are looking for before you place your order.

Turbo failure: identify the cause before replacement

A loss of power, an unusual whistling noise, oil consumption d, abnormal smoke or poor engine performance may be linked to a turbocharger fault.

However, a fault that appears to be turbo-related may also stem d from a lubrication issue, d from contaminated oil, d from a foreign object, from the intake or exhaust systems, or d from another engine peripheral component.

It is therefore important to investigate the cause of the fault before fitting a new turbo or a new Cartridge.

→ Identifying the symptoms d of a turbo failure

→ Understand the main causes of turbo failure d

ALFI TURBO, specialists in turbochargers since 2012

Since 2012, ALFI TURBO has been assisting private individuals and professionals in identifying and replacing turbochargers.

  • over 20,000 items in the catalogue;
  • over 5,500 new turbochargers in stock;
  • over 6,000 ‘ Cartridge ’ available;
  • new turbochargers, remanufactured units, hybrid units and Cartridge;
  • diesel and petrol engines;
  • a wide range of applications for road, agricultural, industrial and marine use;
  • fast delivery in France and across Europe;
  • warranty of up to 2 years depending on the product and applicable conditions.

BEFORE REPLACING A TURBO

A turbocharger failure may be the result d of another engine problem. Before fitting d a new turbo or Cartridge, identify and rectify the cause of the original fault to d avoid d damaging the new part.

Need d'help for finding your turbo?

Do you have a turbocharger part number but can’t find the matching part? Are you unsure which part number to choose? Send us the details from your old turbo so that our team can help you identify the part you’re looking for.

CONTACT ALFI TURBO