What are the consequences of slight turbocharger pipe leakage?
2 Answers
Consequences of turbocharger leakage: During driving, blue smoke may emit from the exhaust pipe, the car's power may decrease, fuel consumption may increase, and it can also affect the engine's fuel consumption, causing unstable engine idle speed, engine noise, and unclear turbocharging effect. Causes of turbocharger leakage: 1. Aging of oil seal gasket: After years of driving, some parts will inevitably age. If the oil seal gasket ages, it will lead to oil leakage, and the gasket needs to be replaced. 2. Poor lubrication: If the lubrication inside the turbocharger is poor, it can cause friction between parts, leading to wear and oil leakage. In this case, add new oil or replace the worn parts. 3. Turbocharger damage: If the car is involved in a collision that damages the turbocharger, oil leakage will occur, and the turbocharger needs to be replaced directly.
A slight air leak in the turbocharger pipe is something I've personally experienced with my own car. When driving, it felt sluggish during acceleration and lacked power. Because compressed air was escaping through small gaps in the pipe, the engine wasn't getting enough oxygen, leading to incomplete combustion and noticeably reduced performance—especially when overtaking. Fuel consumption also increased; what used to last a week now requires frequent refueling. Additionally, there was a faint hissing sound, particularly annoying on quiet nights with the windows down. Ignoring it for too long could accelerate turbo wear, doubling repair costs. I recommend getting it checked by a professional as soon as you notice these issues to prevent worsening and affecting daily driving.
