Common turbo failure symptoms
Tuesday 31st December 2024
Do you have a turbocharged vehicle? What are the most common turbo faults to look out for? Recognising the early signs of turbo failure can prevent you from spending hundreds and thousands on turbo maintenance and replacements.
Discover everything you need to know about turbo failure symptoms and faults with our guide.
Common turbo faults
The most common turbo faults to look out for include:
Lack of oil and lubrication
A turbo needs a constant flow of clean oil to work effectively. Poor quality oil or a lack of oil can lead to a build-up of contaminants and carbon deposits in your engine, causing damage to the turbo. Regularly changing the engine oil and oil filter ensures your turbo remains in good condition.
Wear and tear on the turbo
Like most parts of your car, the turbo is susceptible to wear and tear, causing it to develop faults over time. A turbocharger can last between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. However, this depends on your driving habits. Watching your mileage and adapting your driving style can help you prolong your turbo.
Dust, stones and leaves get caught in the turbo
Foreign elements can occasionally get caught in the turbocharger. Small stones, leaves, dirt and dust particles can enter the turbo. This can cause impact damage and abrasion to the compressor wheels and turbine blades. Regularly servicing your air filter can prevent any turbo damage from happening.
Leaks or cracks with the compressor and engine
Any leaks or cracks between the engine and compressor mean that the turbo will have to work harder to increase the air pressure in the engine. This can compromise the effectiveness and functionality of a turbo, leading to wear and tear or general ageing of the turbo. We advise having your turbo serviced regularly, or if it’s an old turbo, you should replace it with a new one.
What are the first signs of turbo failure?
Now we know the faults, what are the early signs of turbo failure, and how can you spot them?
Loss of power
Is your turbocharged vehicle not exerting as much power as usual? If it’s showing slower acceleration or does not reach the expected speeds, it could signal a problem with your car’s turbo.
A smoky exhaust
If the turbo housing has cracked, oil will leak from your exhaust system. While driving, you will see blue/grey smoke from the exhaust, particularly when the engine revs while the car is stationary.
An inactive boost gauge
Most high-performance vehicles have a boost gauge, displaying the amount of boost your turbo produces. A sign of turbo failure would be the boost gauge not going up as much as it used to.
Unusual noises
A loud whining noise may be heard from your engine, particularly if your turbo develops a fault. It may sound like a dentist’s drill or a police siren. If you hear this noise, you should get it checked by a qualified vehicle technician.
The engine warning light comes on
Modern cars are designed to notice problems, such as turbo failure. Always check your warning lights on the dashboard as it can suggest your engine (or turbo) needs looking at.
Do you suspect a problem with your turbo or need some more advice? Visit your local branch today and our vehicle technician can inspect the issue for you.
