Today’s internal combustion engines would not function without turbochargers, which significantly increase power and economy.
Its bearings, which enable the turbocharger’s shaft to spin at extraordinarily high speeds, are essential to the device’s operation.
Yet, turbocharger bearings inevitably wear out, just like any other mechanical component. You can avoid expensive repairs and extended downtime by identifying the warning indicators of bearing failure early on.
These six indicative signs point to the possible need to repair your turbocharger bearings.
1. Unusual Noises
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The most common signs often displayed by cars with faulty turbocharger bearings are unusual noises. These sounds can be described as pitch whining, whistling, or grinding sounds coming from the turbo section.
They are deafening when the engine is under stress, which means every time one accelerates, the engine will produce these sounds.
Moreover, these auditory cues arising from heightened shaft movement due to worn bearings can make the turbo’s blades come in contact with the housing or create an imbalance within the system.
If these noises are missed, they escalate, and since a turbocharger is a critical component that keeps an engine running, it must be fixed for the car to continue working as intended.
2. Excessive Smoke
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Turbocharger bearing failure may be indicated by excessive exhaust smoke, which is an undeniable sign. The bearings also develop a problem such that they allow oil to seep into the exhaust system, where it is burned, creating blue or grey smoke. This smoke is evident during acceleration or when heavily laden.
It is expected to experience smoke during the initial stage of the engine, but if the smoke persists or is severe, it is an indication that something is wrong. It also shows there are problems with the bearings, and failure to deal with them can cause more problems with the engine.
Checking on your exhaust and coping with ongoing smoke issues can be helpful to keep your auto running efficiently in the long term.
3. Reduced Engine Performance
Decreased power output is one of the main symptoms of defective turbocharger bearings. Turbochargers increase an engine’s power through a forced induction where more air is compressed into the cylinder.
Once bearings wear out, it limits the turbo’s capacity to rotate freely and effectively, decreasing air compression capabilities. This results in a significant reduction in acceleration, power, and, in general, the responsiveness of the engine.
If you feel your car is less powerful, then it would be relevant to look at the bearings of the turbocharger. By addressing this problem early, you will have an opportunity to get your engine to function correctly again without developing other mechanical issues.
4. Increased Oil Consumption
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Higher oil usage can also suggest worn-out turbocharger bearings. Some bearings become worn and allow oil to enter the turbocharger and burn during the operation of the engine.
This leads to frequent top-ups as the oil levels are seen to be depleted much faster than before. You may be topping up the oil more frequently than usual with no signs of leakage.
While many other problems may lead to higher oil consumption, if accompanied by other symptoms such as abnormal sounds or excessive smoke, this could be a definite indicator of the turbocharger bearing malfunction.
If you pay specific attention to your oil levels and consumption, you can diagnose this problem early enough and avoid situations that would cause more harm to the engine or hinder it from performing optimally.
5. Check Engine Light
The check engine light is beneficial when it comes to indicating that there is something wrong; maybe the turbocharger bearing failure is included. Contemporary cars are fitted with checker sensors that observe the performance of the engine.
In the case of faulty turbocharger bearings, these sensors can sense some problems with the turbocharger, such as lowered boost pressure or excessive vibrations. This causes the check engine light on the dashboard to appear.
Though the light can point to many problems, the presence of symptoms such as noise, heavy smoke, and reduced power pointed toward turbocharger issues. Effectively dealing with the situation can keep it from worsening and causing more trouble to the engine power.
6. Vibrations
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Loud rapping sounds may indicate that the turbocharger bearings are on the brink of failure. Worn bearings affect the rotor balance, where vibration is noticeable throughout the vehicle, mainly when using the throttle or at higher speeds.
These vibrations not only cause discomfort but also bring into question the smooth rotation of the turbo’s shaft. If ignored, this could worsen the condition of the turbocharger as well as the other connected parts and accessories.
If there are some uncommon vibrations together with different signs, such as low performance of the engine or some unusual sounds, it is crucial to have the turbocharger inspected to avoid more severe harm.
Bottomline
The functionality and lifespan of your turbocharger are greatly influenced by the bearings. You can save more damage by acting quickly and being aware of the warning symptoms of bearing failure, which include odd noises, excessive smoke, decreased performance, etc.
Your turbocharger will function effectively if you follow recommended maintenance procedures and quickly act when something goes wrong.
Remember that for precise diagnosis and resolution of any turbocharger-related problems, always seek the advice of an experienced service provider.