Turbocharger – Failure Symptoms and Possible Causes

Black smoke

• Boost pressure control rotary valve/poppet valve does not close
• Lube air filter system
• Dirty compressor or charge air cooler
• Cracked/missing or loose gaskets in the engine air intake
• Excessive flow resistance in the exhaust system / leakage upstream of the turbine
• Foreign body damage to the compressor or turbine
• Fuel system/injection system defective or incorrectly adjusted
• Insufficient oil supply in the peat loader
• Suction and pressure pipe distorted or leaking
• Turbine housing/valve damaged
• Damage to turbo bearings
• Valve guide, piston rings, engine or cylinder liners worn/increased knock

Blue smoke

• Coke and deposits in the center of the turbocharger
• Crankcase ventilation blocked and distorted
• Lube air filter system
• Dirty compressor or charge air cooler
• Excessive flow resistance in the exhaust system / leakage upstream of the turbine
• Oil supply and drain pipes clogged, leaking or distorted
• Piston ring seal defective
• Damage to turbo bearings
• Valve guide, piston rings, engine or cylinder liners worn/increased knock

Turbocharger generates acoustic noise

• Dirty compressor or charge air cooler
• Cracked/missing or loose gaskets in the engine air intake
• Excessive flow resistance in the exhaust system / leakage upstream of the turbine
• Exhaust gas leakage between the turbine exhaust pipe and the exhaust pipe
• Foreign body damage to the compressor or turbine
• Insufficient oil supply in the peat loader
• Suction and pressure pipe distorted or leaking
• Turbine housing/valve damaged
• Damage to turbo bearings

Boost pressure is too high

• Boost pressure control rotary valve/poppet valve does not open
• Fuel system/injection system defective or incorrectly adjusted
• Pipe ass vest. rotary valve/poppet valve defective

Defective compressor/turbine wheel

• Foreign body damage to the compressor or turbine
• Insufficient oil supply in the peat loader
• Turbine housing/valve damaged
• Damage to turbo bearings

Oil leakage at turbine

• Coke and deposits in the center of the turbocharger
• Crankcase ventilation blocked and distorted
• Oil supply and drain pipes clogged, leaking or distorted
• Piston ring seal defective
• Damage to turbo bearings
• Valve guide, piston rings, engine or cylinder liners worn/increased knock

High oil consumption

• Coke and deposits in the center of the turbocharger
• Crankcase ventilation blocked and distorted
• Lube air filter system
• Dirty compressor or charge air cooler
• Excessive flow resistance in the exhaust system / leakage upstream of the turbine
• Oil supply and drain pipes clogged, leaking or distorted
• Piston ring seal defective
• Damage to turbo bearings
• Valve guide, piston rings, engine or cylinder liners worn/increased knock

Insufficient power/boost pressure too low

• Boost pressure control rotary valve/poppet valve does not close
• Lube air filter system
• Dirty compressor or charge air cooler
• Cracked/missing or loose gaskets in the engine air intake
• Excessive flow resistance in the exhaust system / leakage upstream of the turbine
• Foreign body damage to the compressor or turbine
• Fuel system/injection system defective or incorrectly adjusted
• Insufficient oil supply in the peat loader
• Pipe ass vest. rotary valve/poppet valve defective
• Suction and pressure pipe distorted or leaking
• Turbine housing/valve damaged
• Damage to turbo bearings
• Valve guide, piston rings, engine or cylinder liners worn/increased knock

Oil leakage at compressor

• Coke and deposits in the center of the turbocharger
• Crankcase ventilation blocked and distorted
• Lube air filter system
• Dirty compressor or charge air cooler
• Excessive flow resistance in the exhaust system / leakage upstream of the turbine
• Oil supply and drain pipes clogged, leaking or distorted
• Piston ring seal defective
• Damage to turbo bearings
• Valve guide, piston rings, engine or cylinder liners worn/increased knock