TROUBLESHOOTING

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.  

WHAT CAUSES A TURBO FAILURE:  

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.

The causes for turbo damages usually fall into the following four categories:

FOREIGN OBJECTS

Turbo wheel damage, caused by small objects entering the turbine or compressor housing at high speed, leading to imbalance. 

LACK OF LUBRICATION

Turbo fatigue cracking and material transfer created by metal friction and high temperatures as a result of oil inlet supply restrictions, incorrect gasket placement and use of liquid gaskets or poor quality lubricants. 

OIL CONTAMINATION

Turbo bearing system damage caused by a high concentration of carbon suspended in oil, created by extended oil change intervals or poor maintenance. Bearing damage caused by a steel shot suspended in oil following a major engine overhaul. 

OVERSPEED AND EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE

Turbo damage caused by working beyond its designed parameters or outside the vehicle manufacturer’s specification. Maintenance problems, engine malfunction or unauthorized performance upgrades can push turbo rotating speeds beyond its operating limits, causing fatigue failure of compressor and turbine wheels. 

THINGS YOU CAN LOOK FOR:

  

CHECK LIST FOR TROUBLESHOOTING

Lack of Power

 

1  Check that filter, hoses and pipes are clean and in good condition.

2  Check that the fuel injection system is in good condition and correctly adjusted.

3  Check that the exhaust system, including catalyst and DPF, is not blocked or damaged.

 

Noisy Performance

 

1  Check that the pipework and support brackets are not loose or damaged and that the connections are good.

2  Check for any leakages or cracks in the intercooler.

 

Excessive smoke or oil consumption

 

1  Check that air filters are not restricted or blocked

2  Check that engine oil specifications strictly correspond to car manufacturer's recommendations

3  Check that the oil drain pipe is clean and not restricted

4  Check for excessive pressure in engine crankcase and correct function of engine breather system

5  Check that hoses and joints are in good condition

6  Check for lubrication problems in engine block if oil or carbon deposits are found on exhaust manifolds or in the turbine

 

NOTE: THESE ARE GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEMS THAT MY ARISE AND HOW TO IDENTIFY WHAT MAY BE WRONG. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT STRESS OR PROLONG THE USE OF A TURBO THAT SHOWS ANY OF THESE SIGNS OF FAULT. IF PROBLEM CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED IMMEDIATELY BY REVIEWING THESE BASIC POINT, THE ENGINE AND TURBO MUST BE SEEN BY A SPECIALIST.   

Please do not hesitate to contact our technical staff whom can guide you through a problem investigation and explain to you the best course of action.

 

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Turbo Hellas Trading Ltd. welcomes you as an official distributor for Greece of the brands Garrett Advancing Motion, BorgWarner, Holset, Mitsubishi, IHI Turbos, Tial Sports and SFS Performance.

Turbo Hellas Trading Ltd. deals mainly with turbo as a distributor and repairer for each vehicle type

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