This section should be used to guide troubleshooting when the turbocharger is suspected as the cause of a problem.
OUTLINE OF TURBOCHARGER FAILURE
State of Turbocharger Failure Repair
It is well known that turbocharger malfunctions cause many symptoms as shown below. However, the mechanisms resulting in these symptoms that indicate turbocharger malfunctions are not well understood. As a result, many unnecessary turbocharger replacements and other repairs are being performed due to lack of knowledge about the turbocharger and turbocharger failure. Therefore, knowing the facts regarding turbocharger malfunctions is useful for making effective repairs and saving time.
Turbocharger Failure Classification
| Symptom | Symptom Description | See page | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | Whistling noise | Continuous high pitch noise proportional to engine speed |
|
| Whining noise | Relatively low pitch noise compared to whistling noise | ||
| Oil leak | External oil leak | Oil leak on surface of turbocharger visible from outside of turbocharger |
|
| Internal oil leak | Oil leak from inside of bearing housing to inside of either compressor housing or turbine housing through seal ring | ||
| White smoke | Oil smoke | Oil smoke is emitted from exhaust pipe |
|
| Unburned fuel smoke | Unburned fuel smoke is emitted from exhaust pipe | ||
| Black smoke | Black smoke is emitted from exhaust pipe |
|
|
| Lack of power or hesitation | Vehicle does not reach target speed |
|
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| Poor acceleration | |||
| Shock during acceleration | |||
| MIL turns on | P0234 | Overboost condition | Diagnostic Trouble Code Chart Click here |
| P1251 | Overboost condition (too high) | ||
| P0299 | Underboost | ||
| P0045 | E-VRV failure (not turbocharger failure) | Diagnostic Trouble Code Chart Click here |
|
Tech Tips
This table shows only typical problems related to the turbocharger.
NOISE
| Probable Cause | Probable Failed Component |
|---|---|
| Turbine shaft imbalance | Turbocharger |
| Leakage from intake line | Intake line |
| Gear noise (Mistaken for turbocharger noise) |
|
Tech Tips
It is easy to confirm whether the turbocharger is the cause of the noise or not, and confirming this before inspecting the turbocharger or removing it from the engine is an effective way to reduce troubleshooting time.
Confirm whether the turbocharger is the cause of the noise or not.
| *1 | Turbocharger Actuator |
| *a | Disconnect vacuum hose |
Disconnect the vacuum hose from the turbocharger actuator.
Check whether the noise is reduced or not compared with the noise under the original conditions.
Reconnect the vacuum hose to the turbocharger actuator.
| Result | Cause of Noise |
|---|---|
| The noise is reduced (or disappears) | Turbocharger |
| The noise does not change | Not turbocharger (other parts) |
Tech Tips
For details regarding the troubleshooting of noise Click here.
OIL LEAK AND WHITE SMOKE
| Oil Leak Type | Description | Main Trouble Area |
|---|---|---|
| Internal oil leak (White smoke) |
|
|
| External oil leak |
|
|
| *1 | Turbine Housing | *2 | Seal Ring |
| *3 | Turbine Wheel | *4 | Bearing Housing |
| *5 | Oil Inlet | *6 | Turbine Shaft |
| *7 | Oil Drain (Outlet) | *8 | FIPG Sealing Part |
| *9 | Compressor Impeller | *10 | Compressor Housing |
| *11 | Compressor Inlet | - | - |
| *a | Internal oil leak to turbine housing | *b | Internal oil leak to compressor housing |
Tech Tips
Above illustration is an example.
When there is an internal oil leak, white smoke is emitted from the exhaust pipe and oil is consumed excessively. However, the cause of white smoke or excessive oil consumption can vary. Therefore, do not assume that the turbocharger is the cause of the failure when there is white smoke emission or excessive oil consumption.
When there is an external oil leak, the sources of the oil leak are limited to the points mentioned in the table above. If oil leaks from a FIPG sealing part, replace the turbocharger. If oil leaks from an oil pipe flange or a hose connection, do not replace the turbocharger, but confirm and repair the flange or hose. For details regarding the troubleshooting of oil leaks and white smoke Click here.
BLACK SMOKE
Malfunctions are classified into 2 types as shown below.
| Malfunction | Main Fault |
|---|---|
| Intake air volume shortage | Insufficient mass air flow due to, for example, excessively low boost pressure, which results in fuel injection volume being relatively excessive with respect to mass air flow. |
| Excessive injection volume | Excessive injection volume or incorrect injection timing due to fuel system trouble. |
Main Components Related to Black Smoke
| Possible Faulty Component | Main Fault |
|---|---|
| Turbocharger | Abnormally low boost pressure |
| Intake system | Leakage between turbocharger and intake manifold |
| Fuel system |
|
| EGR valve | Stuck or does not close completely |
| Diesel throttle | Stuck or does not move smoothly |
Tech Tips
The components listed above are only the main ones. Not all the components potentially related to black smoke are listed. For details regarding the troubleshooting of black smoke Click here.
Relation between Turbocharger and Black Smoke
If the boost pressure is lower than normal due to a turbocharger failure, black smoke may occur due to a lack of mass air flow. However, abnormally low boost pressure can be caused by the failure of various components such as intake lines, the EGR valve, etc. Therefore, do not assume that the turbocharger is the cause of abnormally low boost pressure, but check all the components possibly related to abnormally low boost pressure. Components related to abnormal boost pressure are shown in a chart Click here. For simple and effective troubleshooting, refer to the chart before starting troubleshooting.
LACK OF POWER AND HESITATION
Malfunctions are classified into 2 types as shown below.
| Malfunction | Main Fault |
|---|---|
| Intake air volume shortage | Insufficient mass air flow due to, for example, excessively low boost pressure, which results in fuel injection volume being restricted. |
| Abnormal injection volume | Abnormal injection volume or timing due to fuel system trouble. |
Main Components Related to Lack of Power and Hesitation
| Possible Faulty Component | Main Fault |
|---|---|
| Turbocharger |
|
| Intake system |
|
| Fuel system |
|
| EGR valve | Stuck or does not close completely |
| Diesel throttle | Stuck or does not move smoothly |
| Exhaust system | Clogging of exhaust line |
Tech Tips
The components listed above are only the main ones. Not all the components potentially related to lack of power and hesitation are listed. For details regarding the troubleshooting of lack of power and hesitation Click here.
If obvious malfunction (lack of power) has not been reproduced, perform test driving another vehicle, which is the same model and has the same engine, and compare the engine conditions and performance. If a great difference does not present in engine performance, explain to the customer that lack of power the customer mentioned is not abnormal.
Relation between Turbocharger and Abnormal Boost Pressure
If the boost pressure is lower than normal due to a turbocharger failure, lack of power could occur due to an intake air volume shortage. However, abnormal boost pressure can be caused by the failure of various components such as intake lines, the EGR valve, etc. Therefore, do not assume that the turbocharger is the cause of abnormal boost pressure, but check all the components possibly related to abnormal boost pressure. Components related to abnormal boost pressure are shown in a chart Click here. For simple and effective troubleshooting, refer to the chart before starting troubleshooting.
MIL TURNS ON
If a DTC related to a turbocharger malfunction is stored, refer to the troubleshooting section for each DTC.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF TURBOCHARGER OPERATION AND CONSTRUCTION
A turbocharger is a component used to supply a larger air volume to the cylinders by recovering exhaust gas energy using a turbine coaxially connected to a compressor.
Principle of Turbocharging
Boost pressure is proportional to turbocharger speed, because the intake air is accelerated by centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the compressor and the increased kinetic energy, i.e. the velocity of the intake air, is converted to pressure energy by the diffuser located around the outlet of the compressor impeller. The compressor is driven by the turbine connected coaxially by the turbine shaft. The turbine is driven by exhaust gas energy. Therefore, when the turbocharger begins boosting the intake air, a larger air volume is supplied to the cylinders and more fuel can be injected. As a result, more exhaust energy will be available and the turbocharger boost increases.
| *1 | Compressor | *2 | Turbine |
| *3 | Air Cleaner | *4 | Exhaust Manifold |
| *5 | Intake Manifold | *6 | Intercooler |
| *7 | Diffuser | *8 | Compressor |
| *a | See HINT below | *b | Intake air flow |
Tech Tips
*a: If sufficient exhaust gas energy is not available, the turbocharger cannot generate the required boost pressure even when the turbocharger does not have a malfunction.
Considering the fact that the turbocharger is driven by exhaust gas energy, if sufficient exhaust gas is not available due to abnormal injection volume, etc., the required boost pressure will not be available even when the turbocharger does not have a malfunction. Therefore, when boost pressure is abnormally low, checking all the related components using the correct troubleshooting procedure is necessary for simple and effective repair.
Boost Pressure Control
The amount of energy the turbine can obtain from the exhaust gas is proportional to the expansion ratio, which is defined as the ratio of the turbine inlet exhaust gas pressure to the pressure at the turbine outlet. To control boost pressure, a Variable Nozzle (VN) is used just upstream of the turbine wheel inlet, and controls the expansion ratio. If the VN is closed, the gap between neighboring vanes is narrowed and the turbine inlet exhaust gas pressure, and correspondingly the expansion ratio, increases. Therefore, when the VN is closed, the turbine receives more energy, and the turbine speed and boost pressure increase. On the other hand, if the VN is opened, the turbine inlet exhaust gas pressure decreases, and the turbine speed and boost pressure decrease.
The VN is actuated by a pneumatic actuator. When vacuum pressure is applied to the pneumatic actuator, the actuation rod is moved to close the VN and boost pressure increases. When vacuum pressure is removed from the actuator, the VN opens and the boost pressure decreases.
| *1 | VN (Variable Nozzle) | *2 | Turbine Wheel |
| *3 | Narrow Gap | *4 | Wide Gap |
| *a | VN Closed | *b | VN Open |
| *c | Exhaust Gas Flow | - | - |
Tech Tips
If the VN becomes stuck open, the necessary boost pressure will not be available. If the VN becomes stuck closed, overboost will occur.
If the actuator hose is disconnected, the VN stays in the fully open position, the turbocharger speed does not increase, and sufficient boost pressure is not available. The method of distinguishing turbocharger noise from other types of noise uses this property of the turbocharger.
Mechanical Construction of Turbocharger
| *1 | VN Actuator (Pneumatic Actuator) | *2 | VN Actuating Rod |
| *3 | VN (Variable Nozzle) | *4 | Radial Bearing |
| *5 | Oil Inlet | *6 | Thrust Bearing |
| *7 | Compressor Side Seal Ring | *8 | Turbine Wheel |
| *9 | Turbine Housing | *10 | Compressor Impeller |
| *11 | Compressor Housing | *12 | Turbine Shaft |
| *13 | Oil Drain | *14 | Bearing Housing |
| *15 | Turbine Side Seal Ring | - | - |
| *a | See HINT below | *b | See HINT below |
| *c | See HINT below | - | - |
|
Exhaust Gas Flow | |
Intake Air Flow |
Tech Tips
Above illustration is an example.
*a: The clearances of the radial bearing and thrust bearing are on the order of 100 μm, and for the accurate measurement of these clearances, an accurate process and accurate tools are essential.
*b: A certain amount of oil mist from PCV gas is contained in the intake air. Therefore, a certain amount of oil at the inlet of the compressor is normal, and is not an oil leak.
*c: The seal rings are C-shaped rings just like piston rings, and have a gap. Therefore, complete sealing is impossible by the seal rings alone. The oil is sealed in with the aid of the boost pressure in the compressor housing, and the exhaust gas pressure in the turbine housing. These pressures prevent oil from exiting the bearing housing through the gap of the seal rings. Therefore, if the turbine shaft is inclined from the horizontal, oil may flow out through the gap of a seal ring. This should not be interpreted as an oil leak due to seal ring failure.