Common Diesel Turbocharger Issues You Should Know About
Diesel turbochargers are a great way to get more power and torque out of your engine. While they are an essential component in most modern diesel vehicles, they can also be prone to issues that could affect your car's overall performance. This article highlights some common issues associated with turbochargers and how you can address them.
Overheating
Overheating is the most common issue associated with diesel turbochargers. Heat is a byproduct of increased air pressure, which can eventually cause damage to the engine's components. Remember that the turbocharger is connected to the engine so any issues will create a cascade of problems.
Make sure your engine has adequate cooling features, like an oil-to-air intercooler, to keep temperatures in check. A well-maintained engine system is also key to preventing issues, so be sure to keep up with regular oil changes and other maintenance checks.
Oil Leaks
Another common issue with diesel turbochargers is oil leaks. These leaks occur when the main bearing seals become cracked or worn down due to age or overuse. The turbochargers suck in oil for lubrication, and if it's leaking, then this could lead to a decrease in the engine's performance.
If left unchecked, this issue could cause an excessive amount of oil to leak from the bearing seals and contaminate other parts of the engine, leading to further damage and decreased reliability.
To address this issue, make sure that you check the seals regularly and replace them if necessary. Additionally, avoid running your engine too hard or pushing it beyond its limits, as this can cause more wear and tear to the seals.
Loss of Boost Pressure
Loss of boost pressure is another issue that affects many diesel engines equipped with a turbocharger system. This happens when there is a leak in the intake manifold gasket or when the exhaust side becomes clogged due to carbon buildup or a broken baffle plate inside the turbine housing.
Loss of boost pressure can lead to reduced power output and poor acceleration. As the issue persists, you'll feel your vehicle slowly become sluggish and unresponsive. So, it's important to address this issue promptly before it gets worse.
Vibrations
The last common issue with diesel turbochargers is vibration due to an imbalance in the turbine wheel assembly within the turbine housing. Over time, these vibrations can cause severe wear on both the turbine housing itself as well as other engine components (such as gaskets and seals) if left unchecked for too long.
To resolve this issue, you'll need to remove the turbocharger from your engine and have it inspected by a professional mechanic who specializes in dealing specifically with turbochargers on diesel engines so they can properly diagnose any underlying problems causing these vibrations. They'll perform technical fixes to restore proper balance within your system again.
Contact a local auto service to learn more about diesel turbochargers.
