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Identifying signs of a malfunctioning turbocharger

Identifying signs of a malfunctioning turbocharger

When a turbocharger is not functioning properly, there are various indicators to look out for.

Power Loss

A decrease in engine power or acceleration performance may be indicative of a faulty turbocharger. The vehicle may not be able to reach the same speeds as before or may experience slower acceleration.

Blue Smoke from the Exhaust

If the vehicle is emitting blue-grey smoke from the exhaust, it is likely that oil is leaking from the turbocharger. This can occur due to cracked turbine housing or blown internal seals on the turbocharger.

Turbo Whistle / Scream

While all turbochargers produce some noise when deployed at high RPM, a loud, high-pitched noise from the engine could indicate a damaged turbocharger compressor wheel, possibly due to impact damage. This can lead to more serious engine problems.