How to Determine if a Car's Turbocharger is Faulty?
3 Answers
Methods to determine if a car's turbocharger is faulty include: 1. During rapid acceleration, hearing the exhaust valve's screech above 1750 RPM is normal; 2. If the car's turbocharger is faulty, the engine warning light will illuminate; 3. Remove the exhaust pipe connected to the compressor side to check for oil presence and observe if the exhaust emits significant blue smoke; 4. The throttle response may feel weaker than before, accompanied by incomplete engine combustion and strong exhaust odors. Turbocharging is categorized into four types: mechanical supercharging, pressure wave supercharging, exhaust gas turbocharging, and compound supercharging. Essentially, a turbocharger is an air compressor that increases engine power and torque by compressing air to enhance intake volume, thereby making the vehicle more powerful.
Last time I was on the highway, I suddenly felt like the car was being held back, and even with the accelerator floored, it felt sluggish and wouldn't pick up speed. I deliberately rolled down the window to listen, and there was a sharp whistling sound coming from the engine bay, somewhat like the high-pitched scream of a boiling kettle from childhood. After stopping to check, I found oil stains on the intercooler connecting pipe, and it felt wet to the touch. The worst part was the sudden spike in fuel consumption—normally a full tank could get me 500 km, but that time it barely made it past 300. Later, at the repair shop, the mechanic used a borescope and found that a corner of the turbo blade had chipped off. So, when you experience a combination of weakened power, abnormal whistling sounds, and oil leaks, there's an 80% chance it's a turbocharger issue. Don't push through it—get it checked immediately.
After a decade of hands-on experience in the repair shop, I've noticed two details car owners often overlook. First, blue smoke from the exhaust pipe, especially noticeable when lifting off the throttle – this indicates turbocharger shaft seal oil leakage burning in the exhaust. Second, monitor oil consumption; losing half a liter every 2,000 kilometers is a warning sign. Once, a customer complained about acceleration hesitation. I squeezed the turbo's intake and outlet pipes – they should feel rock-hard like a fully inflated bicycle tire, but they were limp. Upon disassembly, we found the wastegate stuck, which had consequently damaged the turbo. I recommend regular inspection of intake piping, as cracked or aged rubber can also cause pressure leaks.
