Effect of Turbo Failures

Haven't heard of much going wrong with turbos. There's not much to them really , and they do show signs of wear to let you know there on the way out, eg. oil use. Like anything thats bolted to your engine it will need replacement/rebuild in the end.

simple answer is that if they go bang---you stop.
long answer is that if you look after it,ie, cool down etc, they will last a long time. there are a number of warning sign's from slight whistling at acceleration, oil consumption etc. include a visual inspection of the turbo body on your service list and you will quicky see if anything is going on that requires further invertigation.
the most important thing you can do for a turbo is MAKE SURE THE AIR IT BREATHS IS CLEAN., there is no quicker way for one to die than to get a big mouthfull of dust, etc.
the advantages of a turbo as you described above far outweigh the disadvantages, as long as you are nice to your turbo.:)

rick

Hi Rob,
Yeh, turbos like anything else can fail. Not common but it does happen. Mine failed at 70k's, Don't know why, all I know is that one bearing seized solid on the shaft. Meant a total rebuild at $1600 approx. I could still drive it although it is not usually advisable. It depends on the failure. If a blade has dissintegrated, then there is a chance of metal being ingested by the motor leading to major internal damage. As mine was a total seizure, I drove very carefully to a major town that had someone who could rebuild turbos. Of course while driving, huge clouds of fuel smoke (deisel) billowed from the exhaust when the engine was under load (accellerating or going up hill) because without the extra air the engine was over fueled to buggery.
Yes I had a timer on the turbo, and yes I serviced the vehicle every 5k, and yes I did everything I should have but I had a failure. One of those things I suppose.
I should mention that the failure gave about 5 minutes notice, I noticed a lack of boost and as I was out in the boondocks had no choice but to keep driving (very carefully). The casing was not damaged, the blades were all intact, just one bearing seized solid. Oil was flowing so the cause is a mistery.
I would still put a turbo on a non-turbo deisel again. This was just 'one of those things'.

Rob, Having owned 2 80 series factory turbos, both wife and I are sold on turbos. It might be something extra to break down, but then you can break a timing belt at 100 clicks - the turbo would be least of your worries then!

There's thousands of trucks on the road every day with their turbo's whistling away, as they cover many thousands of clicks each week, you don't see too many trucks broken down, with shrapnel holes through the bonnet. A lot of break downs these days are computer dramas.

I'm planning to have a turbo on my walking frame in a few years time, might help with the arthritis. Hooroo...

Thanks for the good responses - interesting points about metal
entering the engine after a turbine coming apart; also about
the smoke that would appear after the mixture richens up from
sudden reduction of inlet pressure.
Thanks again....
Rob

WHERES COL!!!

He has a supercharger, and the advantage of them, is MORE power, if they die, you undo the belt and drive it home as normal,

down side they cost more, and its anotehr belt to worry about.



What others have said about the turbine self destructing and going thru the motor is true.. it has happened before..

BTW, getting back to Robs original question...
A good installation looked after properly should be very reliable!

My cousin in Mooloolaba is on his fourth Maverick/Patrol tray back TD42. He bought them all new, turboed them from new (latest is GU factory turbo) and drives them at only one speed (Flatout- usually with a big load on) He trades 'em in approachinh 400,000km and has literally never put a spanner to any of them apart from oil/filters and normal ROUTINE maintennance.
He sold one to a mate and it's now over 500,000km still no problems.
That is reliability!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!