A turbocharger is an air pump, which supplies air for the engine combustion process at higher pressure and density than ambient air. The turbocharger air contains a higher concentration of oxygen allowing greatly improved combustion, for more power, cleaner emissions, improved engine torque output and reduces the pumping losses within the engine offering all-round better performance.
As an integral part of the engine’s oil, fuel, air and cooling systems, any faults in these systems, can cause an incorrect turbo operation and potentially damage.
Less than 1% of turbos fail because of manufacturing defects. Most failures are caused by the three ‘turbo killers’ of oil starvation, oil contamination and foreign object damage.
More than 90% of turbocharger failures are caused oil related either by oil starvation or oil contamination. Blocked or leaking pipes or lack of priming on fitting usually causes oil starvation.
There are many types of contamination which may be carried by the engine oil into the turbo bearing system and cause damage.
The most common are fine particles; usually carbon from the combustion process and if the concentration of these particles becomes too high, it acts a very effective abrasive, gradually eroding and polishing the running surfaces of the bearing and shaft, increasing the clearances and closing the oil feed holes, until the oil is no longer able to control the shaft. This is usually accompanied by a sharp increase in noise level and oil leaking past the turbine end seal causing oil to be burned and in vehicles without a particulate filter, noticeable exhaust smoke.
Other reasons, such as poor driving habits, can result in turbo failure, so you should also consider these causes:
A reconditioned unit would have to use non-original parts without correct calibration, resulting in:
If you think your vehicle might have a turbo-related problem, stop before you replace because turbo damage can often be a symptom of an underlying problem rather than the cause itself. A lack of power, noisy performance or excessive smoke or oil consumption could result from a faulty fuel injection system, restricted or blocked air filters, a damaged exhaust system or a lubrication problem.
Because it’s essential to check all the systems before you replace the turbo, use the Turbocharger System Diagnostics Guide to ease your work.
Let's Connect
Sign up to receive exclusive communications about offerings, events and news, surveys, special offers, and related topics via telephone, email, and other forms of electronic communication (e.g., communications through social media platforms), collectively “marketing communications”.
If you would like to be unsubscribed from marketing e-communications*, from Garrett Motion Inc, click here.
*Marketing communications refers to communications about offerings, news and events, surveys, special offers, and related topics via telephone, email, and other forms of electronic communication (e.g., communications through social media platforms).
If you are a current customer, you will not be unsubscribed from transactional and other non-marketing communications, such as communications containing important information related to a product or service you have purchased.
If you would like to unsubscribe from all marketing communications from Garrett Motion Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries, click here.
You will be redirected to the new Installer Connect turbo catalog.
