Turbo Problems: The 3 Most Common Causes
Turbochargers rarely fail on their own. The root cause is often found elsewhere in the engine. The vast majority of turbo problems arise from one of three common causes: insufficient oil, oil contamination, or damage from a foreign object. In this article, we provide tips on how to resolve turbo problems.
Turbo Problems and Solutions
Turbochargers can be well-constructed, installed, and maintained, but damage can still occur. Experience shows that each type of damage requires a different solution. Below are some tips for resolving common turbo problems.
Decrease in Engine Power (Engine Hesitates)
| Cause |
Solution |
| Clogged air filter and/or air intake |
Replace or clean |
| EGR valve is dirty |
Replace or clean |
| Leakage in intake or exhaust manifold |
Check connections and seals |
| Turbo pressure sensor or mass airflow sensor defective |
Replace |
| Turbo is damaged |
Replace turbo, identify the cause of the damage |
| Compressor side of turbo is dirty |
Clean/recondition, replace oil and/or air filter |
| Exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, and/or catalytic converter clogged |
Clean or replace |
| Injectors dirty or defective |
Test, clean, or replace |
| Fuel pump and/or injectors improperly adjusted |
Check adjustments |
Black Exhaust Smoke
| Cause |
Solution |
| Clogged air filter and/or air intake |
Replace/clean |
| Leakage in intake/exhaust manifold |
Check/repair connections and seals |
| Turbo is damaged |
Replace turbo, identify the cause of the damage |
| Compressor side of turbo is dirty |
Clean/recondition, replace oil and air and/or oil filter |
| Exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, and/or catalytic converter clogged |
Clean and/or replace |
| Injectors dirty or defective |
Test, clean, or replace |
| Engine problems with valves, pistons, or piston rings |
Analyze and/or recondition |
| Fuel pump and/or injectors improperly adjusted |
Check adjustments |
Turbo Noise
| Cause |
Solution |
| Turbo is damaged |
Replace turbo, identify the cause of the damage |
| Compressor side of turbo is dirty |
Clean/recondition, replace oil and air and/or oil filter |
| Air intake system and/or exhaust manifold clogged |
Clean |
| Leakage in intake/exhaust side |
Check and/or repair connections and seals |
Oil Leakage at the Turbo
| Cause |
Solution |
| Turbo is damaged |
Replace turbo, identify the cause of the damage |
| Compressor side of turbo is dirty |
Clean/recondition, replace oil and air and/or oil filter |
| Air intake system and/or exhaust manifold clogged |
Clean |
| Leakage in intake/exhaust side |
Check and/or repair connections and seals |
Blue Exhaust Smoke (Excessive Oil Consumption)
| Cause |
Solution |
| Turbo is damaged |
Replace turbo, identify the cause of the damage |
| Compressor side of turbo is dirty |
Clean/recondition, replace oil and air and/or oil filter |
| Clogged oil drain line or crankcase ventilation |
Clean and/or replace |
| Turbo bearing housing clogged or carbonized |
Replace turbo, replace oil and air and/or oil filter |
| Air intake system and/or exhaust manifold clogged |
Clean or replace air filter |
| Air leakage between turbo and intake side of engine |
Check and/or repair connections and seals |
Incorrect Intake Manifold Pressure
| Cause |
Solution |
| Turbo pressure sensor or mass airflow sensor defective |
Replace |
| Overpressure valve stuck |
Free and adjust or replace |
| EGR valve or catalytic converter dirty |
Clean and/or replace |
Engine Enters Limp Mode or Boost Pressure Too High
| Cause |
Solution |
| Fuel pump and/or injectors improperly adjusted |
Check adjustments |
| Soot deposits on variable turbo geometry |
Replace turbo |
By understanding these common issues and their solutions, you can effectively diagnose and address turbo problems, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of your turbocharger and engine.
