What are the symptoms of a broken supercharger?
2 Answers
Signs of a broken supercharger include: blue or white smoke from the car's exhaust pipe, reduced power, increased fuel consumption, increased engine oil, and unstable turbo pressure. Here are the details: Blue or white smoke from the exhaust pipe at idle: This is caused by poor sealing of the turbocharger impeller shaft. Due to turbocharger failure, the car's power will noticeably decrease, and fuel consumption will rise. If the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is blocked, blue smoke will appear when accelerating, and engine oil consumption will increase. The car can still operate normally: If the turbocharger is damaged, the car can still function because the engine can still work, but acceleration will be affected, and there may be an increase in engine oil. Normal wear and tear of the turbocharger cannot be heard, but it can be judged by observing the car's exhaust. If the car lacks power during acceleration or shows no significant power increase, the turbocharger should be checked for issues. Driving tips: After starting the engine, do not drive immediately. Let the engine idle for 2-3 minutes to allow the turbocharger to be fully lubricated before driving. During long-distance driving, if the engine runs at high speed for an extended period, do not shut it off immediately. Sudden shutdown can cause the residual oil in the turbocharger to overheat and damage the bearings. Special attention is required.
When the turbocharger in my turbocharged car failed, it felt like driving an old clunker – sluggish acceleration, and climbing hills was a nightmare with no response even when flooring the gas pedal. The engine bay kept making hissing noises, like air was leaking, which was incredibly annoying. Fuel consumption also skyrocketed, burning nearly half more than usual. On the highway, attempting to overtake was hopeless due to the lack of power, making the maneuver take longer and riskier. After a garage inspection, they diagnosed a seized turbo shaft causing the power loss, and replacing it fixed the issue. So, if you notice decreased power, strange noises, and abnormal fuel consumption, it’s likely a turbocharger problem—don’t wait until it becomes a major issue to get it fixed.
