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Turbochargers • Turbos • Superchargers • Fan Blades & Clutches

Use the Troubleshooting Chart below to help diagnose the problems you
may be having with your Turbocharger!
 

A Engine lacks power

Turbocharger Troubleshooting

Loss of power, excess smoke, high fuel consumption, overheating, high exhaust temperatures, and oil leakages from the turbocharger are all symptoms that could indicate turbocharger malfunctions.

These faults, however, are often wrongly attributed to the turbocharger, because defects in other components can produce the same symptoms.  Since the turbocharger must be adjusted or regulated, only mechanical damage or blockage due to dirt can impair its performance.

Before replacing a turbocharger, verify the problem and consult the chart below

B Black exhaust smoke
C Excessive engine oil consumption
D Blue exhaust smoke
E Turbocharger noisy
F Cyclic sound from turbocharger
G Oil leak from compressor seal
H Oil leak from turbine seal
A B C D E F G H

CAUSE

REMEDY

      Clogged air filter element Replace element according to engine manufacturers recommendations
    Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
          Obstructed air outlet duct from compressor to intake manifold Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
          Obstructed intake manifold Refer to engine manufactures manual & remove obstruction
              Air leak in duct from air cleaner to compressor Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
      Air leak in duct from compressor to inlet manifold Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
      Air leak at intake manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual & replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
    Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufactures manual & remove obstruction
          Obstruction in muffler or exhaust stack Remove obstruction or replace faulty components as required
        Gas leak in turbine inlet to exhaust manifold joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual & replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
        Gas leak in turbine inlet to exhaust manifold joint Replace gasket or tighten fasteners as required
              Gas leak in ducting after the turbine outlet Refer to engine manufactures manual & repair leak
        Obstructed turbocharger oil drain Remove obstruction or replace line as required
        Obstructed engine crankcase vent Refer to engine manufacturers manual, clear obstruction
        Turbocharger center housing sludged or coked Change engine oil & oil filter, overhaul turbocharger as required
            Fuel injection pump or fuel injectors incorrectly adjusted Refer to engine manufacturers manual - replace or adjust faulty component(s) as required
            Engine camshaft timing incorrect Refer to engine manufacturers manual & replace worn parts
    Worn engine piston rings or liners (blow by) Refer to engine manufacturers manual & repair engine as required
    Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual & repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner & Soft Brush. Find & correct source of unfiltered air & change engine oil &oil filter
  Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find & correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

COMMON CAUSES OF TURBO FAILURE
  1. HOT SHUT DOWN. THAT IS, TURNING ENGINE OFF PREMATURELY WITHOUT ALLOWING SUFFICIENT TIME FOR TURBO TO COOL.
  2. INFREQUENT OIL, OIL FILTER, AND AIR FILTER CHANGES.
  3. FOREIGN MATTER AND / OR OBSTRUCTIONS IN TURBOCHARGER AIR OR OIL SYSTEM.
  4. IMPROPER ENGINE MAINTENANCE. OPERATING ENGINE WHEN OUT OF TUNE OR IN NEED OF ADJUSTMENT OR MAINTENANCE.
  5. RELATED ENGINE PART OR ENGINE FAILURE. FOR EXAMPLE, A CRACKED HEAD, BROKEN OR WORN PISTON RINGS, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, CLOGGED RADIATOR, AND IMPACT DAMAGE DUE TO ACCIDENT.

TURBO INSTALLATION GUIDE

  1. CHECK THE OPERATION OF ENGINE TO ENSURE IT MEETS MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS.
  2. REPLACE OIL SUPPLY LINE IN ALL GASOLINE APPLICATIONS.
  3. DO NOT USE A THREAD SEALER (SILICONE) ON ANY OIL LINE.
  4. CHECK OIL DRAIN FOR RESTRICTIONS EFFECTING FLOW SUCH AS KINKED OR DETERIORATED RUBBER SECTIONS AND SHARP BENDS.
  5. CHECK FOR CONTAMINATION AND OBSTRUCTIONS SUCH AS KINKED, WORN, AND PLUGGED OIL LINES AND OIL PASSAGES. IF APPLICABLE, CHECK INTER OR AFTER COOLER FOR THE SAME. REMOVE AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN INTERCOOLER.
  6. REPLACE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. CHECK FOR FLOW RESTRICTIONS IN BOTH INTAKE, AND EXHAUST, INCLUDING CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
  7. INSPECT FOR AND REMOVE ALL FOREIGN OBJECTS FROM THE INTAKE AIR TRACT, AND SECURE ALL HOSES.
  8. REPLACE OIL AND OIL FILTER. REPLACE ANY CRANKCASE BREATHER ELEMENTS.
  9. VERIFY THAT THE ACTUATOR “C” CLIP IS SECURE.
  10. VERIFY OIL DRAIN DIRECTION IS VERTICAL.
  11. VERIFY TIGHTNESS OF ALL CLAMPS AND BOLTS, SECURE LOCK TABS IF APPLICABLE.
  12. AFTER INSTALLATION, ENSURE TO REMOVE ALL TOOLS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
  13. BEFORE STARTING ENGINE, DISABLE EITHER FUEL OR IGNITION SYSTEM TO ALLOW ENGINE TO BE CRANKED WITHOUT STARTING. ENGINE MUST BE CRANKED UNTIL NORMAL OIL PRESSURE IS ACHIEVED. ONCE OIL PRESSURE IS ACHIEVED, THEN YOU MAY START ENGINE. REPEAT AFTER ALL OIL CHANGES.

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Michigan Turbo - North America - Troubleshooting Turbochargers

Function of a Turbocharger trbooffset.jpg (14682 bytes)
Power output is determined by the amount of fuel that can be burned in a given time.  For proper combustion, the fuel needs an adequate supply of air. To increase power more air is required.

Since the volume of the engine cylinders is fixed, the air supply can only be increased by using some form of compressor. The turbocharger increases the air supply by means of a compressor driven by the waste exhaust gases.

Since the exhaust gas energy is used to improve the overall efficiency of the engine, the fuel consumption is reduced resulting in LOWER operating expenses.

YOUR TURBOCHARGER'S WORST ENEMIES

CONTAMINATED LUBRICANT....
Bad lubricant will cause scored shaft journals and bearings, block oil holes and plug seals, resulting in heavy oil leakage.

bad_oil.gif (1888 bytes)

FOREIGN OBJECT INGESTION....
Damages turbine and compressor wheel blades, causing wheel imbalance and rotational instability, with resulting damage to seal bores and bearings

fanturn.gif (4544 bytes)

ENGINE PIECES, SHOP TOWELS, SAND, DIRT OR METAL FILINGS....
These are all externally-introduced causes of turbocharger failure, and as such, can be lessened or eliminated through proper maintenance of engine air intake and oil filtering systems.

YOUR TURBOCHARGER'S BEST FRIEND!

CLEAN LUBRICANT....
Always be sure to keep your turbocharger well maintained with a good quality lubricant.  It will prolong its life and enhance its performance.

good_oil.gif (2472 bytes)

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