Turbo defects - Part 4: Problems with the engine

April 13, 2022

The final part of our turbocharger defect series deals with problems caused by parts in the engine block. In the fourth part we look again at the various symptoms, causes and consequences of these problems. Our specialists are again ready to help you find the best solution!

Symptoms

In this blog section the most common symptoms are loss of engine power and black/blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. In many cases the problem is not directly down to the turbo, but a component in the engine block has to be reinstalled or replaced. In some cases even the entire engine has to be overhauled.

Parts	Symptoms
Exhaust is defective or damaged or has defective gaskets	Loss of engine power Black smoke Suspicious noise
Petrol pump or diesel injectors are incorrectly adjusted	Loss of engine power Black smoke
Foreign object in engine-side exhaust system	Loss of engine power Black smoke Blue smoke High oil consumption Suspicious noise Loss of oil from the compressor
Valve tolerance is incorrect	Loss of engine power Black smoke
Worn piston rings or cylinder liner	Loss of engine power Black smoke Blue smoke High oil consumption Loss of oil from the compressor Loss of oil from the turbine
Deposits on valves and/or pistons	Loss of engine power Black smoke Blue smoke High oil consumption Loss of oil from the compressor Loss of oil from the turbine

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact one of our specialists for an accurate and specific diagnosis.

Causes and solutions

It is important to determine the cause of the turbo problem before further action is taken. If the problem originates from an engine component, the replacement or overhaul of the turbo will make no difference. In this section we will discuss the aforementioned defects per cause and how best to prevent them.

Defective or damaged engine (parts)

Damaged seals, a defective exhaust, worn piston rings or cylinder liners can all affect the performance of your turbo system. Parts must be replaced in good time to prevent further damage and avoid the cost of repairs.

Another cause is in the exhaust system. Foreign particles or objects originating from the engine block may end up here, for example in the form of parts broken off damaged components. Control is very important and these objects should be removed in time to avoid further trouble.

Soot deposits on valves and/or pistons can also cause, among other things, a loss of engine power and high oil consumption. Particles from the soot deposit may break off and damage other components or affect their working. To remedy this problem the engine block must be overhauled.

Incorrect installation or assembly

Doing things the right way in combination with high quality components can prevent many problems. If a component is not fitted or adjusted properly, it can have major consequences in the future.

An incorrectly adjusted injector in diesel engines or incorrect valve clearance can cause these problems. In these cases the solution is to replace or reset the part.

An incorrectly adjusted fuel injection system can also cause problems. In general, the ECU, or Electronic Control Unit, controls the injection of fuel. The ECU cannot be adjusted. This only happens, for example, in the case of chip tuning. This is an adjustment of the ECU, which is carried out by specialists with the help of a computer programme.

In modern diesel engines they control this injection in a similar electronic way. However, in the older type of diesels injection timing is controlled mechanically by the injection pump. This pump must then be set manually in good time. Wrong adjustment of the pump, for example after an overhaul, can cause problems.

Preventing defects or damage

In case of a turbo problem related to the engine components, it is advised to contact our specialists to discuss the correct diagnosis and the further steps to be taken. Prevention is always better for your engine and we would like to give you the following tips.

As already discussed in previous blog parts, maintenance is one of the most important precautions. If factory intervals are followed and lubrication is continued, this can prevent many problems.

The purchase of the right and high-quality parts is also important. Besides the turbo, other engine parts can also affect functioning. For engine parts, our fellow company Wilmink Engine Parts will be pleased to help you find quality parts for perfect operation.

Finally, installation can make a difference. Incorrect adjustment or mounting can affect the entire operation of the system. It is important to always have experienced professionals fit your parts. For a turbo overhaul please contact our product specialists.

The abovementioned defects, symptoms, causes and solutions are covered in our troubleshooting table. You can obviously also send an e-mail to our specialists for personal and specific advice.

In earlier parts of this series you read more about the symptoms, causes, consequences and required work for various turbo defects.