What are the symptoms of a faulty car turbocharger?

2 Answers
VonDylan
07/28/25 9:09pm
Symptoms of a faulty car turbocharger: When a car's turbocharger is damaged, the exhaust pipe may emit blue or white smoke during driving, the car's power will noticeably decrease, fuel consumption will increase, and engine oil consumption will also rise. The engine may shake when idling, and the turbocharging effect during driving will be significantly reduced. A turbocharger is a technology that uses exhaust gases generated by internal combustion engines to drive an air compressor (Aircompressor). Commonly used in car engines, turbochargers enhance the horsepower output of internal combustion engines by utilizing the heat and flow of exhaust gases.
Was this review help?
1
5
Share
BrynleeRose
08/12/25 1:51am
I've been driving for many years, and it was really frustrating when the turbocharger broke down recently. The most obvious symptoms were a sharp drop in power, and when accelerating, even with the pedal to the metal, the car would crawl sluggishly, as if the engine had lost all its strength. Additionally, I heard a high-pitched whistling sound on the highway, like a leak, which was especially noisy at night. The engine warning light on the dashboard came on, and black smoke occasionally came out of the exhaust pipe, with a nasty burnt smell. Fuel consumption also skyrocketed, burning an extra liter per 100 kilometers, costing more money and polluting more. I rushed to get it checked, and the mechanic said the turbo blades were worn or the oil line was clogged, and not fixing it in time could lead to engine failure. Since then, I've developed a habit: regularly changing the oil and air filter, checking the turbo seals every six months to avoid small issues turning into big disasters. Safety first—paying attention to these signals while driving allows for early intervention.
Was this review help?
4
4
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What Causes the Gurgling Sound in the Coolant Reservoir?

Insufficient coolant can lead to overheating, resulting in a boiling phenomenon. Simply adding coolant will resolve the issue. Below are the functions of coolant: 1. Winter antifreeze; To prevent the coolant from freezing and causing the radiator or engine block to crack when the car is parked in winter, the freezing point of the coolant should be about 10°C lower than the lowest temperature in the region, preparing for sudden weather changes. 2. Anti-corrosion; The coolant should protect metal components from corrosion and prevent rubber parts from aging. 3. Anti-scaling; The coolant should minimize scale formation during circulation to avoid clogging the pipes and impairing the cooling efficiency.
12
1
Share

What Causes Oil Spray from the Exhaust Pipe?

Oil spray from the exhaust pipe indicates a malfunction in the vehicle. The specific reasons for oil spray from the exhaust pipe are analyzed as follows: 1. Aging of the crankcase ventilation valve: Failure of the piston, cylinder liner, piston pin, or piston ring results in the loss of their original sealing effect, leading to oil spray. 2. Severe wear between the valve stem and valve guide: Excessive wear between the valve stem and valve guide creates too large a gap, causing oil to leak downward. The damaged parts need to be identified and replaced. 3. Design defects in the vehicle model: The vehicle model may have inherent design flaws that cause oil spray from the exhaust pipe.
19
3
Share

What is a China-spec Vehicle?

China-spec vehicles are cars produced by automakers in foreign factories according to Chinese regulatory requirements. Below is more information about China-spec vehicles: 1. US-spec Vehicles: US-spec vehicles are manufactured by automakers to comply with North American regulations and can be driven on North American roads. 2. China-spec vs US-spec Vehicles: US-spec vehicles are produced according to overseas regional requirements, while China-spec vehicles are sold to the Chinese market. US-spec vehicles must be equipped with tire pressure monitoring and ABS anti-lock braking systems. Compared to US-spec vehicles, China-spec vehicles display kilometers instead of miles on the dashboard, and all dashboard displays are in Chinese rather than English.
4
0
Share

What causes the transmission failure in the Buick LaCrosse 2.4?

Buick LaCrosse 2.4 transmission warning light may illuminate due to faults in wiring or engine components. Here are detailed explanations of potential causes: 1. Starting system failure: Engine fails to crank or cranks too slowly, caused by insufficient battery charge, loose or severely oxidized battery terminals; faulty ignition switch, starter motor failure, open circuit in starting wiring or poor connector contact. 2. Ignition system failure: Malfunctioning ignition coil resulting in weak or no high-voltage spark, faulty igniter. 3. Fuel injection system failure: Empty fuel tank, inoperative fuel pump or low pumping pressure, leaking or deformed fuel lines, open circuit relay, malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator, excessively dirty fuel filter.
1
4
Share

Can Brake Caliper Covers Be Installed on Cars?

They can be installed, but it's best to avoid doing so. Below is more information about installing brake caliper covers on vehicles: 1. Reasons: Brake caliper covers may affect heat dissipation from the brake discs, impacting normal braking distances and raising safety concerns. 2. Overview: Brake calipers are clamping devices designed to decelerate, stop, or maintain the stopped state of moving wheels, typically used only in disc brake systems. 3. Working Principle: A car's disc brake system consists of a brake fluid pump, a brake disc connected to the wheel, and the caliper on the disc. During braking, high-pressure brake fluid pushes the pistons inside the caliper, pressing the brake pads against the disc to generate braking force.
2
3
Share

Where is the windshield washer fluid located in the Malibu?

In the lower right corner of the engine hood, there is a black cap which is the windshield washer fluid reservoir cap. Related information: 1. Powertrain: Equipped with a 1.5T L turbocharged engine, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 10.2 seconds with a top speed of 205 km/h. 2. Space: The vehicle measures 4.85 meters in length, 1.85 meters in width, and 1.47 meters in height, featuring a well-organized overall space layout. 3. Handling: The electric power steering wheel provides light steering and excellent handling performance, capable of adapting to various road conditions. The inclusion of cruise control function reduces driving fatigue during highway journeys.
5
1
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.