Your vehicle’s turbo should typically last the life of the engine without giving you any cause for concern, nestled safely in place quietly going about its business. However, your turbo is unfortunately not indestructible and while it may not be a regular occurrence, it is possible for it to become damaged or begin to fail. A turbo that is failing will usually make itself known in some way.
Here are the main warning signs that you should keep an eye out for:
Engine Management Light (EML) – The engine warning light on your dashboard may come on if your automobile turbo is having problems. It can also be triggered by a number of different engine sensors, so this doesn’t always point to your turbo being the cause, but it definitely means you should get your car checked out by a trained professional.
Abnormal Exhaust Smoke – Can be caused by oil leaking into your exhaust system, an abnormal amount of smoke may indicate that your turbo may have been damaged or failed prematurely.
Loss of Power – Have you noticed that your vehicle has been accelerating much more slowly as of late? Maybe it’s struggling to reach speeds that had been easily achieved previously? A loss of engine power is a common sign that your turbo has an issue.
Excessive Turbo Noise – A failing or damaged automobile turbo will often cause an increase in turbo or induction noise from your engine as you accelerate, usually described akin to a siren. It may not be too noticeable at first, but as the problem worsens it may become louder and harder to ignore.
Specialist Automobile Turbo Repair Services
If your vehicle is experiencing one or more of these, it is definitely time to get it checked by a turbo specialist. There are a number of things that may cause a damaged turbo. Whether it's a lack of oil, component failure or simply wear and tear over many years of use, at Universal Turbos we can return your turbo to full functionality. From turbo repairs to complete turbo refurbishment or replacement, our range of expert services can deliver the perfect solution to any turbo issues your vehicle may be having.