Boost, Without the Guesswork
A failing turbo gives plenty of warning. A whistle that wasn't there before, blue smoke on start-up, oil disappearing between services or a noticeable loss of pull up hills all point the same way. At Advanced Automotive Services, we inspect, repair and replace turbochargers, and we look for the reason the unit failed rather than simply fitting a new one. Most turbo repairs come back to oil supply, so we check feed and drain lines, oil condition and service history before signing off on a replacement. We also handle performance work on diesel utes and 4WDs where owners want more usable torque for towing. On a diesel we'll usually service and inspect together. Call (07) 4033 6418 from anywhere in Cairns.
Common Turbo Symptoms
Turbochargers spin at enormous speeds on a thin film of oil, so problems tend to develop in a recognisable order.
- A rising whistle or siren noise. A change in the sound usually means shaft play or a boost leak. It's worth investigating early, before the compressor wheel contacts the housing.
- Blue smoke. Oil getting past the turbo seals burns in the exhaust and shows as blue smoke, often worst on start-up. Oil consumption between services tends to rise at the same time.
- Loss of power. A turbo not making full boost can be the unit itself, a leaking intercooler pipe or a sticking wastegate. Testing boost pressure separates them.
- Oil supply problems. Blocked or coked feed lines starve the bearings and destroy a turbo quickly. Fitting a replacement without clearing the cause repeats the failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oil supply problems account for most failures, whether that's contamination, a restricted feed line or extended service intervals. Debris entering the compressor is the other common cause.
It depends what's failed. Actuators, hoses and wastegates can often be dealt with individually, while shaft or bearing wear generally means the unit needs replacing or reconditioning.
It can, if the rest of the driveline isn't considered. Increases in boost and fuel need matching cooling, clutch and transmission capacity, otherwise the weak point simply moves somewhere else.
