A Closer Look: Turbocharger Operation and Installation

A Closer Look: Turbocharger Operation and Installation

Sponsored by Standard®

Turbocharger Overview

With an effort to increase fuel efficiency, maintain performance and reduce emissions, vehicle manufacturers are adding turbocharged engines to their lineups at a significant rate. Over the next five years, the turbo service market will continue to experience substantial growth.

At a basic level, a turbocharger consists of just three major internal components: the turbine, the compressor, and the bearing system that supports the turbine shaft. The compressor wheel, turbine wheel and shaft make up the Center Housing Rotating Assembly (CHRA) which is mounted inside of the turbocharger housing.

The turbocharger system converts exhaust gases into centrifugal force by flowing the exhaust through the turbine housing forcing the turbine wheel into motion. As the turbine wheel spins, the compressor wheel on the opposite end of the common shaft draws fresh air into the turbocharger, where it is compressed and forced into the intake system. As the intake air is compressed, it builds heat that must be cooled so the air flows through the intercooler before entering the combustion chamber. The result is significantly more air entering the combustion chamber, so more fuel can be added, resulting in better efficiency and more power.

What Causes a Turbocharger to Malfunction?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning turbocharger include loss of power, excess smoke, high fuel consumption, overheating, increased exhaust temperature, and oil leaks from the turbo. It’s important to note that defects in other components can produce the same symptoms. Before mistakenly attributing any of these issues to the turbocharger, remember that turbo performance can be impaired by mechanical damage or blockage caused by debris, or a leak in the turbo ductwork.

If whistling noises (other than normal turbo spooling) are heard coming from under the hood, it’s likely due to boost leaks. The first step is to check all of the joints in the turbo ductwork. Additional attention should be paid to the seams of the intercooler. If the noise persists, check the turbocharger clearances and wheels for housing contact.

If the turbocharger rotor assembly has seized up or is difficult to rotate, the problem is likely tied to the degradation of the oil. When the oil degrades, it can lead to carbon buildup in the bearing housing interior and can cause the rotor to seize. A turbocharger has specific axial and radial rotor clearances and sometimes, the clearances can be misdiagnosed as worn bearings. Clearances that are out of specification may be associated with a lubricating oil issue. When the turbo is replaced, the technician should always check for insufficient oil, dirt ingress, and oil contamination with coolant.

To determine if the turbo has been damaged by foreign material, inspect the turbine wheel or impeller. If so, there will be clear evidence of foreign material that has entered through the turbine or compressor housings. If the blades are damaged, the turbo needs to be replaced. The technician should inspect for metal that has come off the turbo in the intake tubes. Metal particles in this area may indicate a damaged engine.

Common Trouble Codes

Two typical diagnostic trouble codes for turbos include P0299 (underboost) and P0234 (overboost). If you’re receiving an underboost code, the issue could be a wastegate that’s stuck in the open position or a leak between the compressor and throttle. Causes of overboost, on the other hand, include a wastegate that’s stuck in the closed position, a wastegate vent solenoid that’s stuck in the vent position, or leaking or disconnected control hoses.

Choose the Right Replacement Turbo

If the determination has been made that the turbo is faulty, there are a few things to keep in mind when installing a replacement turbo. First, ensure that the air ductwork is sealed and perfectly clean. Next, confirm there is proper lubrication and cooling at the turbo. The new turbo should have fresh engine oil bled through it before starting the engine. Finally, make certain that a new, quality air filter is installed on the vehicle, along with an oil change and replacement of any applicable breathers.

When selecting a replacement turbocharger, remember that quality matters. Standard® offers a complete line of 100% ALL-NEW (not remanufactured) premium turbochargers. This New, No-Core line provides coverage for gas and diesel, domestic and import applications.

Premium Replacements for a Growing Category

Standard® turbochargers are engineered to ensure each performs with precision for the application it is replacing. All Standard® turbos undergo a full spectrum of quality testing including burst test validation, on-vehicle performance and 100% end-of-line testing through the full RPM range.

As a quality-plus offering, Standard® new turbo units include factory gasket kits, a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and carry no core charge – that means no core collection, no core inspection, and no core returns. The Standard® line also includes an array of related components – turbo actuators, turbo oil drain tubes, wastegate solenoids, turbo boost, turbo speed sensors and more.

For more information on diagnosing and replacing these components, search “Turbo” on the StandardBrand YouTube channel and to learn about the Standard® Turbo Drop Ship program visit StandardTurbos.com.

You May Also Like

Advanced Filtration Is Key to Vehicle Longevity

Let’s face it, we love our cars – and we drive a lot. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans drive more than 13,000 miles per year on average. Although the miles continue to rack up on our cars and trucks, their overall shelf life keeps increasing. Once upon a time, vehicles

Let’s face it, we love our cars – and we drive a lot. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans drive more than 13,000 miles per year on average.

Although the miles continue to rack up on our cars and trucks, their overall shelf life keeps increasing.

What Causes Fuel Pumps to Fail?

Like most vehicle components, natural wear and tear is the unavoidable cause for parts replacement. Fuel pumps are often out of sight and out of mind for most shop visitors. That’s because they are an as-needed repair and not typically a part of ongoing maintenance. Nevertheless, if you diagnose fuel pump failure, customers will want

Protecting Your Vehicle in the Winter

Depending on where you live, autumn is an idyllic time of year with bright colors and mild temperatures. If there is one downside though, it means that winter is on its way, which means frigid temperatures, snow, ice and difficult road conditions. The lifespans of cars and trucks are increasing all the time, so protecting

A Closer Look: Standard® Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)

Gasoline direct injection (GDI) is used on most new vehicles and requires a different approach to diagnosis and service. GDI technology has been an integral part of helping to improve fuel economy while reducing emissions, and can be found on more than half of the U.S. fleet. In fact, the use of GDI engines has

Overcoming Supply Chain Issues in Today’s World

Many legislative and environmental mandates have affected the collision repair industry over the last decade. To comply with such mandates, vehicle manufacturers continue to design vehicles with increasingly advanced electronics, ranging from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that increase safety, helping people with everything from parking to driving, to the recent push for electric vehicles. They’ve

Other Posts

Aftermarket Upgrades for More Horsepower

Your customers have options when they want to add more giddy-up to their vehicles.

Turbochargers and GDI: A Winning Combination

Automakers have turned to turbochargers and GDI to boost fuel economy and horsepower – with less displacement.

CRP Automotive Offers Rein Turbo Kits for Popular BMW Models

The kits include all the hoses, gaskets and hardware needed to complete the job.

High Oil Consumption?

A common question an OEM oil supplier like ENEOS sees is how to tell when oil consumption becomes excessive? Since a few factors could be involved, here are some of the potential implications. How much is too much?First, because of wear, vehicles are more likely to consume engine oil as they age. Common culprits that