The causes of turbocharger failures

No power / charging pressure too low
  • Obstructed exhaust system / impeller leak.
  • Foreign objects (e.g. a grain of sand, etc.) got into a turbocharger.
  • Fuel system damaged or incorrect mounting.
  • Charging pressure control valve does not shut.
  • Air filter polluted.
  • Turbocharger not lubricated (no oil).
  • Suction manifold leaky (cracked, gaskets)
  • Pressure conduits damaged (leaky, crumpled).
  • Turbine housing or control valve damaged.
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
  • Polluted compression wheel or intercooler (charge air cooler)
Black smoke
  • Obstructed exhaust system / impeller leak.
  • Foreign object (e.g. a grain of sand, etc.) got into a turbocharger.
  • Fuel system damaged or incorrect mounting.
  • Charging pressure control valve does not shut.
  • Air filter polluted.
  • Turbocharger not lubricated (no oil).
  • Suction manifold leaky (cracked, gaskets)
  • Pressure conduits damaged (leaky, crumpled).
  • Turbine housing or control valve damaged.
Turbocharger generates noise (whistling sound)
  • Obstructed exhaust system / impeller leak.
  • Exhaust system leaky.
  • Foreign objects (e.g. a grain of sand, etc.) got into a turbocharger.
  • Turbocharger not lubricated (no oil).
  • Suction manifold leaky (cracked, gaskets)
  • Pressure conduits damaged (leaky, crumpled).
  • Turbine housing or control valve damaged.
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
  • Polluted compression wheel or intercooler (charge air cooler)
Turbocharger impeller damaged
  • Foreign objects (e.g. a grain of sand, etc.) got into a turbocharger.
  • Turbocharger not lubricated (no oil).
  • Turbine housing or control valve damaged
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
Blue smoke
  • Cleft turbine sealing (sealing ring cracked)
  • Obstructed exhaust system / impeller leak.
  • Engine breather obstructed or damaged
  • Turbine housing polluted on the exhaust side.
  • Air filter polluted.
  • Turbocharger oil conduits: supply and discharge conduits clogged or damaged.
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
  • Polluted compression wheel or intercooler (charge air cooler)
Compression wheel oil leakage
  • Obstructed exhaust system, impeller leak.
  • Cleft turbine sealing (sealing ring cracked)
  • Engine breather obstructed or damaged
  • Turbine housing polluted on the exhaust side.
  • Air filter polluted.
  • Turbocharger oil conduits: supply and discharge conduits clogged or damaged.
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
  • Polluted compression wheel or intercooler (charge air cooler)
Impeller oil leakage
  • Cleft turbine sealing (sealing ring cracked)
  • Engine breather obstructed or damaged
  • Turbine housing polluted on the exhaust side.
  • Turbocharger oil conduits: supply and discharge conduits clogged or damaged.
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
Burned oil
  • Obstructed exhaust system, impeller leak.
  • Cleft turbine sealing (sealing ring cracked)
  • Engine breather obstructed or damaged
  • Turbine housing polluted on the exhaust side.
  • Air filter polluted.
  • Turbocharger oil conduits: feed and return pipes clogged or damaged.
  • Impeller bearing damaged.
  • Polluted compression wheel or intercooler (charge air cooler)
Charge pressure too high
  • Fuel system damaged or incorrect mounting
  • Charging pressure control valve does not shut.
  • Control wire or valve damaged.