How to Determine if the Turbocharger is Faulty?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if the turbocharger is faulty: 1. A faulty turbocharger will produce loud noises; it is recommended to check the turbocharger's valve or the engine. 2. There is no noticeable lack of power when pressing the accelerator. 3. The engine experiences incomplete combustion, resulting in strong exhaust odors. 4. Abnormal exhaust emissions from the vehicle. A turbocharger utilizes the inertial force of the exhaust gases expelled by the engine to drive the turbine in the turbine chamber. The turbine, in turn, drives the coaxial impeller, which compresses and delivers air from the air filter pipe, pressurizing it before it enters the cylinder. The primary function of a turbocharger is to increase the engine's air intake, thereby enhancing the engine's power and torque, making the vehicle more powerful. When a turbocharger is installed on an engine, its power can increase by up to forty percent compared to when it is not equipped with one.
Last time I drove my old buddy Passat, I encountered this exact situation. I could clearly feel the throttle response was sluggish, and climbing hills required much more effort than usual. If you listen carefully, you could even hear a faint whistling sound near the turbo, and blue smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. It scared me so much that I immediately checked the dipstick—sure enough, the oil level had dropped significantly. If the turbo impeller grinds against the housing or seizes up, it can cause oil leaks like this and affect engine power. Also, during cold starts when the turbo isn’t engaged, it’ll feel like driving a naturally aspirated engine. If you suspect the turbocharger is failing, don’t delay—check the boost pressure gauge right away. If the readings are abnormal, take it to a professional mechanic immediately. Delaying repairs could end up damaging the entire engine.
