What to Do If the Turbocharger Burns Engine Oil?
2 Answers
If the turbocharger experiences engine oil burning, it will lead to increased engine oil consumption and may also cause insufficient lubrication in the turbocharger. In such cases, immediate repair is necessary. Below are more related details: Symptoms of turbocharger burning engine oil: 1. Carbon deposits form in the combustion chamber, causing the piston rings to stick and resulting in poor sealing. 2. Sludge forms in the lubrication system, clogging the oil return holes of the oil rings and reducing their scraping performance. 3. Wear occurs between the piston and cylinder wall. 4. Corrosion and aging of the valve seals lead to sealing failure. 5. In vehicles equipped with turbochargers, poor sealing of the turbocharger sealing rings may occur.
I've been driving for nearly 30 years and have seen quite a few cases of turbochargers burning oil. Usually, it's due to failed turbo seals allowing oil to leak into the exhaust system - you'll notice blue smoke from the tailpipe or unusually fast oil consumption. First step is to immediately check the dipstick to see if oil levels have dropped significantly. If this happens with a new car, it might be a quality issue and you should claim warranty at the dealership. For older vehicles, it's mostly caused by aged seals or oil passage blockages from contaminants, requiring disassembly for cleaning. Regular maintenance with frequent oil and filter changes prevents sludge buildup. Don't underestimate this - prolonged oil burning increases carbon deposits, affects engine performance, and may even cause fires. If you encounter this issue, avoid long-distance driving first. Find a professional repair shop to test turbocharger pressure with proper equipment - repair or replace as needed, safety comes first.