Diagnosing and Rebuilding a Failed Turbocharger: The “How To” guide from your friends at TurboKits.com
Turbochargers bring serious power and efficiency gains to ICE vehicles—but like any mechanical system under high stress, they’re not invincible. When failure occurs, knowing how to diagnose and rebuild a turbo can save time, money, and minimize delays.
Symptoms of Turbocharger Failure
Before you tear into your setup, it’s crucial to spot the signs. Typical symptoms include:
- Excessive Smoke: Blue (oil burning), black (excess fuel), or white (coolant) smoke could point to seal or bearing failures.
- Whining or Screeching Noises: May indicate bearing wear or compressor wheel contact.
- Loss of Boost Pressure: Turbo may spool slowly or not build boost at all.
- Oil Leaks: Oil in the intake, intercooler, or exhaust suggests internal seal failure.
- Check Engine Light or ECU Faults: Codes related to low boost or MAF/MAP sensor discrepancies.
Diagnostic Steps
To help pinpoint your lack of boost