What are the symptoms of a bad turbocharger?
3 Answers
Turbocharger damage mainly manifests with the following symptoms: 1. Blue or white smoke from the exhaust pipe. 2. Decreased power. 3. Increased fuel consumption. 4. Higher engine oil consumption. 5. Unstable turbo pressure. 6. Harsh noise during rapid acceleration. Methods to determine turbocharger damage: 1. Rapid acceleration - hearing the exhaust valve's screech above 1750 RPM is normal. 2. Check the car's odometer - abnormal sounds inside indicate turbo damage. 3. If the turbocharger is damaged, the engine warning light will illuminate. 4. Remove the exhaust pipe connected to the compressor end to check for blue smoke. 5. Turbo damage causes incomplete engine combustion, resulting in strong exhaust odors.
I remember last time my car's turbocharger failed, it felt extremely sluggish to drive. Acceleration was as slow as a crawling turtle when stepping on the gas, completely losing that exhilarating push-back feeling. The noise also became strange - with sharp whistling or buzzing sounds, especially noticeable at high speeds. The engine warning light on the dashboard lit up, as if protesting. Fuel consumption skyrocketed; where normally the fuel gauge would drop after 10 kilometers, now it consumed 20% more for the same distance. The exhaust pipe emitted blue or black smoke due to burning leaked oil. If the turbo remains broken for long, it could damage the engine, leading to even higher repair costs. That's why you must stop driving and get it checked at a professional shop immediately when noticing these symptoms - never try to save small money only to lose big money later.
When driving a turbocharged car, you may experience issues like sluggish acceleration, unresponsive throttle when overtaking, and the car feeling like it's dragging its feet. I once encountered this and could even hear strange noises, similar to air leaks or metal grinding, especially harsh when climbing hills. The check engine light coming on is a warning sign, and an unexplained surge in fuel consumption puts a strain on your wallet. Even scarier is when the exhaust emits smoke—not the normal white smoke but blue-black smoke. If left unchecked, the car could be at risk of spontaneous combustion. Promptly investigating the cause, such as oil blockage or damaged turbine blades, can prevent the embarrassment of breaking down on the roadside.
