- Lack of Lubrication – Low/Intermittent Oil Pressure: When you have lack of lubrication, the direct metal-to metal contact with the bearings causes friction and high temperatures, resulting in bearing material transfer onto the shaft and thrust components. The thrust ring, flinger sleeve and shaft will start to show evidence of tempering colors from the excessive heat. This causes shaft seizure or breakage.
- Improper Weight, Quality or Fuel Dilution of Oil: Whether the oil is old, contaminated or the incorrect type, it can lead to turbo failure quickly. Poor oil quality can block oil feed passage, smear the thrust bearing pad, pr cause oil build-up or worn bearings that cut off oil supply
- Operator Abuse – Fast Cold Starts or Hot Shutdowns: In harsh weather conditions, operators should allow time for the oil to start flowing before loading the engine. After operating under a heavy load, let it idle 30-60 seconds before shutting down. Fast cold starts and shutdowns can eventually lead to turbo failure
- Poor Engine Maintenance – Dirty/Contaminated Oil: Poor engine maintenance results in contaminated oil, with hard particles that enter the turbo’s bearing system. This can cause scratches or grooves in the bearing surfaces, or result in wearing to the point that wheels rub the end housings
- ECU/Fuel Calibration Changes – Tempering (Excessive EGT): The exhaust gas temperature (EGT) is the temperature of the exhaust gases as they exit the combustion chamber entering into the turbo. When RGT exceeds the original design limit, it can cause cracking in the turbine housings, overheating and premature failure
- Foreign Object Damage: Loose hardware left in the exhaust manifold or air cleaner or other foreign material can lead to turbo damage.
- Compressor side: Objects such as shop towels, nuts and bolts can enter the inlet and cause damage to the compressor wheel blades.
- Turbine side: Valves, valve seats, piston rings or broken manifold pieces can damage the inlet edges of blades. The damage is not always recognized if the turbine wheel is still able to rotate. Often, the turbine housing must be removed to see the damage.
- Other Defective Engine Components: Turbo failure often is the result of the other detective engine components, including:
- Leaking inlet manifold
- Clogged air filters
- Obstructed oil supple lines
- Faulty oil pump