Six common symptoms of a bad turbo

The most common symptoms of a bad turbo

A failing turbocharger can significantly impact your vehicle’s performance, efficiency, and emissions. Recognizing the symptoms of a bad turbo early can help prevent further damage to the engine and avoid costly repairs. Here are the most common signs that your turbocharger may be failing:

For more information on how turbos work, see this post

#1: Lock of power, acceleration, and MPG are symptoms of a bad turbo

If the turbo isn’t compressing air, you lose losing power and acceleration. Remember, car makers install turbos to add more air and fuel to the combustion chamber so they can use a smaller engine. If you lose the added air, you also lose that extra power.

#2: Noise Coming from the Turbo is a common symptom

A failing turbo bearing produces a whining or whistling noise. If you hear any unusual noises, such as high-pitched whining or whistling, check it out early because it can be a symptom of a bad turbo. These sounds often accompany power loss or smoke.

#3: Excessive Exhaust Smoke is a symptom of a bad turbo

The turbo is lubricated by engine oil and cooled by engine coolant. If either the oil or coolant seals fail, the turbo will suck coolant or oil into the exhaust, producing billowing smoke exhaust. The smoke might appear gray or blue from oil or milky white from the coolant. Also, pay attention to any unusual smells accompanying the smoke. Remember that other engine issues can also cause smoke, so proper diagnosis is essential.

#4: Low Oil or Coolant Levels

If you notice that you have to regularly top off your oil or coolant, and there are no visible leaks, a bad turbo could be the cause.

#5 Engine runs hot

A malfunctioning turbocharger can cause the engine to run hotter than usual. This can happen if the turbo is not efficiently compressing air or if the exhaust gases are not being properly expelled. Overheating can lead to more severe engine damage if not addressed promptly.

#6 Boost Pressure Loss

A failing turbocharger may not generate the necessary boost pressure. You can often feel this as a lack of acceleration or sluggish performance, especially at higher RPMs. In some cases, a boost gauge can help diagnose this issue by showing lower-than-normal boost levels.

Can you drive with a bad turbo?

It’s not a good idea, especially if the turbine blades are damaged. You can introduce metal particles into the engine and cause further damage. Trust me, call a tow truck. It’s cheaper than a new engine.

For information on what causes a turbo failure, see this post

What to do if you notice any of these bad turbo symptoms

If you do spot any troubling turbo symptoms, have it diagnosed by a certified technician as soon as possible. While replacing a failed turbo is an expensive job, addressing issues promptly when symptoms first arise can prevent having to buy a whole new turbo and pay for associated engine damage repairs down the road.

How to avoid turbo damage

Driving too long between oil changes is the #1 cause of turbo failure. Turbos run at extremely high speeds and high temperatures. They need high-quality oil that’s changed on schedule to prevent bearing wear. Once bearings wear, the turbo will fail.

Additionally, avoid driving aggressively and constantly running your turbo at high boost levels and extreme speeds. This level of repeated stress wears out turbo components quickly. Give your turbo a minute to idle after heavy operation before shutting off, too.

©, 2018 Rick Muscoplat