What are the symptoms of a damaged turbocharger?
3 Answers
Turbine damage symptoms include: the engine will experience a significant power loss, and carbon deposits in the engine will also increase. Turbocharged engines have a relatively low compression ratio, which is designed to prevent knocking in the engine. If the turbo fails and insufficient air enters the engine, the excessively low compression ratio can prevent the combustible mixture from burning completely, leading to a severe drop in engine power and an increase in carbon deposits. The turbo in a turbocharged engine relies on engine oil for lubrication and cooling. The turbocharger can reach speeds of over 100,000 rpm during operation, placing extremely high demands on the engine oil. It is recommended that owners of turbocharged engines use fully synthetic oil, as this type of oil can meet the lubrication needs of the turbo.
I usually drive to and from work, but recently I’ve noticed that the car’s acceleration has become very sluggish. When I press the gas pedal, it feels like driving an old ox cart—there’s no sense of that push-back force. Several times at city traffic lights, I couldn’t keep up with others when starting. There’s also a strange whistling sound, especially noticeable at high speeds, like the sound of an airplane taking off. Fuel consumption has also shot up—it used to take a week to go through a tank, but now I have to refuel every five days. During my last maintenance visit, the mechanic said the turbocharger might be leaking oil, and upon checking, blue smoke was coming from the exhaust, which was quite alarming. If the turbo fails and isn’t repaired in time, it could even damage the engine, so I immediately went for a full inspection. I recommend everyone develop the habit of checking the oil level every six months to avoid long-term carbon buildup that could lead to turbo damage.
As an experienced driver, I've encountered multiple turbocharger failures. Typical symptoms include sluggish acceleration, where the car moves slowly even with the throttle fully depressed during normal driving. Blue smoke often appears from the exhaust pipe, especially after a cold start. Noise issues are prominent, such as metal grinding sounds or high-pitched whistling when bearings are worn. Increased fuel consumption is also a sign, as engine efficiency drops after turbocharger failure. Regular oil changes are crucial since turbos rely on oil for lubrication and cooling. For prevention, avoiding high RPM sudden acceleration can extend its lifespan. If abnormalities are detected, prompt repairs are essential. I usually start by checking for oil stains and the ECU warning light.
