7 reasons why oil leaks from the turbine (all cases). their consequences and how to solve

Turbocharger device

If we talk about complex things in simple words, then the compressor has a very primitive design. The turbine is a casing in the form of a snail. Inside the housing there is a shaft with two blade gears. One such gear is spun by exhaust gases. The other also rotates, as it is seated on one shaft. The shaft rotation speed can be prohibitive - up to 250 thousand revolutions per minute. Therefore, the shaft must operate on high-quality bearings. Usually there are two such bearings.

Practice shows that at turbine operating speeds, not a single existing dry bearing can withstand the load under such conditions. The bearing jams, and the turbine is sent for repair. Engineers thought for a long time about how to remove excess temperature and improve glide. Oil copes well with all this - lubrication channels for each bearing are connected to the turbine shaft from the engine crankcase. Thus, the mechanism can operate at high speeds, increasing its performance and reliability.

Even a fully functional turbine will consume a certain amount of oil. The more the driver presses on the gas, the greater the consumption. Normal consumption is up to 2.5 liters per 10 thousand kilometers. Can a turbine drive large volumes of oil? It depends on the condition of the internal combustion engine.

There are two parts to a turbocharger - hot and cold. Oil channels are connected to the compressor bearings from above. One is needed for the hot part, the other for the cold part. Next, the oil, having lubricated the bearings, returns to the crankcase. But are the bearings sealed?

The bearing should not come into contact with the blades in any way and under no circumstances, otherwise in this case the turbine will drive oil on one side into the manifold or intercooler, and on the other side into the muffler. Locking rings are installed between the bearing and the impeller. The pressure supports these rings and the oil does not escape in large volumes.

Oil leakage from the turbocharger: causes and solutions

Most often, owners of turbocharged cars turn to us and our colleagues with the words “the turbine is leaking oil, how much will it cost to repair it, is there such a normal used one?” Next, select an option based on the text or add a placeholder. But in fact, the cause of oil leakage in most cases is not the turbocharger, but its incorrect installation or improper maintenance and operation of the engine. To understand why the turbine “drove oil”, consider the following points:

1. Oil inside the turbocharger
2. Seals
3. Compressor inlet/outlet oil
4. Compressor outlet oil
5. Turbine outlet oil

Oil inside TCR

Oil under pressure is supplied through the pressure line to the turbocharger bearing housing. Passing through the bearings at high speed, the oil mixes with air (crankcase gases). At the exit from the bearings, the oil mixed with air is already a kind of foam, which, under the influence of gravity, first flows down the turbocharger bearing housing, and then along the drain line into the engine oil pan. If there is any obstacle in its path, it will begin to gather in the body. When the level of oil foam exceeds the level of the seals, oil will begin to flow into the housings of the turbine and compressor wheels (hot and cold scrolls) through the gap in the o-ring.

Seals

The most common mistake in understanding a turbocharger is the idea of ​​the purpose of the seals on the sides of the turbine and compressor wheels. The main purpose of these seals is to prevent high pressure gases from entering the turbocharger housing and further into the engine crankcase. The fact that these seals prevent oil from entering the turbine and compressor wheel housings is secondary. Some models of turbochargers are even produced without a seal on the turbine wheel side. In almost all cases, oil leakage from a turbocharger is not a result of seal failure, although there are exceptions to this rule.

Compressor inlet/outlet oil

Some leaks are caused by the air filter. In an air filter (wet type) with already contaminated oil or insufficient capacity, the air passing through it at high speed can pick up oil droplets and carry them into the compressor housing. Such a “leak” can only be observed at the outlet of the compressor, and to eliminate it it is necessary to replace either the oil in the filter or replace the filter with another one.

Compressor outlet oil

After prolonged operation, a dry-type air filter becomes clogged with dust particles, its resistance increases and, consequently, the pressure drop across it increases. A small vacuum appears at the compressor inlet. This vacuum has no effect on oil leakage if the engine is running at medium or high loads, because there is excess pressure behind the compressor wheel. When the engine is running at idle speed or at low loads, a vacuum is formed not only at the inlet to the compressor, but at the outlet from it. If this condition continues for some time, the oil will begin to be sucked out of the turbocharger bearing housing and enter the engine intake manifold. The solution to this problem is quite simple. You can either install a sensor between the air filter and the turbocharger, which will indicate when the filter needs to be replaced, or replace the filter in accordance with the requirements of the car manufacturer.

Turbine outlet oil

Typically, an oil leak at the turbine outlet indicates problems in the drainage system. Something is causing the oil foam to rise above the seal level. Make sure that the drain line is in a vertical position (maximum of 35 degrees from vertical) and that it does not have any kinks that could collect oil. It is also necessary to make sure that the drain hydraulic line is connected to the engine in a place that does not create additional resistance to oil flow and is located above the oil level in the crankcase.

Turbocharger operating rules

The turbocharger operates under difficult conditions: high exhaust gas temperature (up to 1050C) and high shaft speed (up to 280,000 rpm). The oil supplied to the turbocharger for lubrication and cooling is taken from the engine oil system and must always be clean and meet the engine manufacturer's specifications. After starting, let the engine idle for about 1 minute. This is necessary so that the oil pressure in the lubrication system rises to operating level and the oil gets into the turbocharger bearings. Before turning off the engine, you should also let it run for several minutes (1-3) at idle speed in order to allow the turbocharger parts to cool down.

Factors affecting the service life of a turbocharger (turbine).

Analysis of damage to turbochargers shows that about 40% of damage is the result of foreign objects getting on the blades of the compressor or turbine wheels. Another 40% of damage is caused by a faulty lubrication system. The remaining 20% ​​of damage is caused by other causes.

Foreign objects that often fall on turbine wheel blades include: broken parts of valves and combustion chambers; incorrectly installed gasket (parts of the gasket may come off and get into the exhaust manifold); bolts, nuts and washers that fall into the exhaust manifold when replacing the turbocharger; broken parts of internal combustion engine pistons. All these objects, even if they are small in size, lead to serious damage to the turbine wheel.

Damage to the compressor wheel from foreign objects occurs less frequently than to the turbine wheel. Foreign objects falling on the compressor wheel include: air filter elements; pieces of rubber or reinforcing wire torn from the inlet pipes; bolts, nuts and washers that got into the intake manifold when replacing the turbocharger.

There may be several malfunctions in the lubrication system that cause damage to the turbocharger. The most common deposits are in the pipelines through which oil is supplied and discharged to the turbocharger. These deposits significantly reduce the flow area of ​​the pipeline, and sometimes completely clog the pipelines. For normal operation of the turbocharger, it is very important that, under severe operating conditions, the amount of oil specified by the manufacturer is supplied to the turbocharger bearings. The oil must pass through a filter before being supplied to the bearings. With a constant supply of clean oil in the required quantities, turbocharger bearings can operate for thousands of hours without noticeable wear.

Damage to the turbocharger can also be caused by increased exhaust gas temperatures when the machine is operated at high altitudes above sea level. Any engine that operates near sea level temperatures will exceed those temperatures at 1500m above sea level. Also, operating at such altitudes above sea level may result in the maximum speed of the turbocharger shaft being exceeded. Therefore, it is necessary to change the fuel supply system in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. In addition, the increase in exhaust gas temperature is significantly influenced by: late ignition, lean mixture and late injection timing.

Increased intake resistance, which can be caused by an air filter, damaged connections or insufficient diameter pipes, leads to a decrease in the amount of air entering the cylinders and an increase in exhaust gas temperature. Increased intake resistance and operation at high altitudes can lead to turbine wheel housing failure and even failure of the turbine wheel itself when exposed to high temperatures.

If you do not change the air filter in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements, then there is a high probability of dirt deposits in the compressor wheel housing, which will lead to a decrease in air flow into the cylinders and further to overheating. Also, loose gaskets in the intake and exhaust manifolds lead to a decrease in air supply.

Sometimes the turbocharger's connections to the intake and exhaust manifolds are designed such that the expansion of the exhaust manifold and other parts connected to the turbocharger causes large loads to be placed on the turbocharger components. These loads can lead to changes in the dimensions of the turbine and compressor wheel housings so that the wheels begin to rub against the housings. Insufficiently rigid mounting of the turbocharger to the engine, which cannot prevent excessive vibration of the turbocharger, can also cause distortion of the shape of the turbocharger elements and lead to breakdowns.

Breakdown of a turbocharger can be practically eliminated if foreign objects are not allowed to get on the blades of the turbine and compressor wheels, the permissible operating temperatures of the turbocharger are exceeded, and if you ensure the supply of high-quality oil to the turbocharger in the required quantity.

Other causes of oil leaks

Oil leakage through the compressor is a common problem. Almost every owner has encountered this. The following reasons for this phenomenon can be identified:

• So, trouble occurs due to an increased oil level in the system, due to a clogged crankcase ventilation system. Owners of engines with severe wear on the piston group may encounter a problem - there is high pressure inside the engine. If the catalyst is clogged, the turbine drives oil, and this is normal. If the turbine oil drain channel is clogged, the symptoms will be the same.
• Many reasons are related to a problem with the oil drain system. It is supplied to the housing under pressure. The oil passes through the supply line, where it then mixes with air and combustion products. As a result, foam is created, which then flows down the snail body. And only then does it enter the oil drain line and then into the crankcase. If the drain channel is not wide enough or there is more oil in the engine, it will remain in the turbine housing and flow through the sealing elements.

Why sometimes all this turns out to be in vain?

First of all, you need to come to terms with this seditious thought: the shaft seals are not “one hundred percent” sealed. Under normal operating conditions, both exhaust gases and crankcase gases with oil mist still overcome them, but, we emphasize: in tiny, permissible quantities. Therefore, any working turbine consumes some amount of oil. In any turbo engine, the pressure pipes (after the compressor) will be oily. For different motors - to varying degrees, depending on their design features and technical condition. The permissible oil consumption is stipulated by the engine manufacturer, and is controlled only by the decrease in the oil level in the crankcase.

The permeability of labyrinth seals is not constant - it increases with increasing pressure difference between "inside" and "outside". Thus, the removal of oil vapor through the compressor side increases in idle mode, when there is no boost pressure and the vacuum under the compressor wheel is greatest. That is why turbocharger manufacturers advise avoiding prolonged (more than 20-30 minutes) idling of the turbo engine. During this time, a significant amount of oil in the form of oil mist enters the intake system and further into the combustion chamber. It rattled at idle, revved up, and blue smoke came out of the exhaust pipe! A severely clogged air filter makes the situation worse. With this, even at nominal engine speeds, a noticeable vacuum can be created behind the compressor wheel, provoking an increased removal of oil mist.

These phenomena, which can hardly be characterized as a turbine leak, occur during normal oil circulation in the bearing housing. The norm is when the oil, pressed through the gaps in the friction pairs, and then whipped and sprayed by a wildly rotating shaft, flows “by gravity” along the inner walls of the housing and unhinderedly returns to the crankcase through the drain tube. Now, if the oil circulation is disrupted (usually due to a decrease in drainage capacity), the cavity of the bearing housing is filled with oil and no seals will help - the turbine will “leak” in the literal sense of the word.

Draining the oil can be difficult for two reasons: the cross-section of the drain line is reduced or the back pressure of the crankcase gases is high. The tube may be pinched or clogged from the inside, the gasket may be displaced, placed on a sealant that has squeezed inward and partially blocked the hole, etc. Increased pressure of crankcase gases may be a consequence of wear of the CPG and increased breakthrough of combustion products or a malfunction of the crankcase ventilation system (clogged filter, oil separator, valve failure). Sometimes the back pressure is so great that the drainage of oil stops completely and it is squeezed out “from all the cracks”. In general, it is not without reason that the warranty documents for the turbine stipulate such requirements for the engine as the permissible resistance of the air filter and the crankcase gas pressure at idle.

All possible turbine malfunctions and their possible causes can be found in the section - Mandatory vehicle diagnostics .

From what has been said, the following axiom follows: a turbine with seals that are not worn to a critical level (especially a new turbine) will not leak on its own. If the turbine still leaks, there is an external reason that must be identified and eliminated.

The main disadvantage of the turbine

Existing experience in operating turbine engines shows that these power units have a number of problems. The main problem is related to oil leaks from the compressor. And if a turbine drives oil on some engine, then replacing it does not always help to completely solve this problem.

Oil flows from the compressor only in case of high pressure. In order for the turbine to push air through, a very large force must be applied. This force causes oil to flow through the plain bearings.

Oil in the pipes or already in the intercooler itself

The pipe from the turbine to the intercooler is in oil.
You can understand that oil has got into the pipe in front of the turbine or into the inside of the intercooler by a change in the operation of the car. The engine power drops sharply and smoke of an atypical color appears . Dips are observed when the accelerator pedal is applied . All these shortcomings are associated with breakdowns of the turbocharging system.

Intercooler

During operation of the compressor, a lot of heat is generated. This leads to certain consequences. Thus, operating efficiency decreases, since it is more difficult for the turbine to compress hot air. And due to increased loads, parts and components of the structure wear out intensively. All this was the main reason for the failure of the turbocharger. To solve this problem, an intercooler was created. It is needed to lower the air temperature to the optimal value. In the automotive industry, air and liquid radiators are used.

Debugg

Whatever the cause of the malfunction, it should be eliminated.

You can carry out some actions on your own, but it is better to visit a specialized service center that will carry out diagnostics and repairs at a professional level.

A common point of troubleshooting work is to clean the intercooler of blockages and oil residues.

If this procedure is not performed, the air cooling efficiency will remain insufficient for the engine to achieve optimal operating conditions. In addition, residual oil along with air will enter the cylinders, reducing the quality of combustion of the air-fuel mixture.

To clean the intercooler you will have to remove it. There are usually no problems with air coolers - all you need to do is loosen the clamps and remove a few bolts. Liquid coolers are more difficult to remove. Cleaning should be done with special products recommended by the manufacturer. The use of unsuitable detergents without consultation with specialists is undesirable.

Individual structural elements of some intercoolers can be made of polymer materials or elastomers. The use of aggressive cleaners and solvents will lead to failure of the entire device.

After washing, the remaining cleaner and external contaminants are carefully washed off with water. High pressure washers should not be used as they can damage the radiator cells.

After complete cleaning, the intercooler should be dried and reinstalled.

Reasons for oil consumption in the turbine

Before moving on to considering the immediate reasons why oil may leak, it is necessary to determine its permissible volume. The fact is that any turbine, even a fully functional one, will eat up oil. And this consumption will be greater, the higher the speed of both the engine itself and the turbine. Without going into the details of this process, it should be noted that the approximate normal oil consumption of a turbocharged engine is about 1.5...2.5 liters per 10 thousand kilometers. But if the value of a similar consumption exceeds 3 liters, then this is already a reason to think about troubleshooting.

High oil consumption

If the engine is consuming oil, this at least indicates a faulty CPG, worn oil caps or clogged crankcase ventilation. High oil consumption - signs, causes and what to do Read more

Let's start with the simplest reasons why a situation may arise when oil is driven out of the turbine. As a rule, the situation is due to the fact that the locking rings, which, in fact, prevent oil from flowing out of the turbine, wear out and begin to leak. This happens due to the fact that the pressure in the unit drops, and in turn, oil drips from the turbine to where the pressure is lower, that is, out. So let's move on to the reasons.

Clogged air filter . This is the simplest situation, which, however, can cause this problem. You need to check the filter and, if necessary, replace it (in rare cases, you can clean it, but it’s still better not to tempt fate and install a new one, especially if you use the car off-road). In winter, instead of or along with clogging, in some cases it may freeze (for example, in conditions of very high humidity). In any case, you definitely need to check the condition of the filter.

Oil outlet from exhaust pipe

The release of oil from the exhaust pipe of a car, in most cases, is accompanied by the appearance of bluish smoke or other shades. In addition, a flame may appear from the exhaust pipe. Oil leakage into the exhaust pipe naturally leads to increased oil consumption. In this case, it is necessary to measure its level quite often and top it up. Some car enthusiasts wait until the light on the car's control panel comes on, indicating that the engine oil will soon run out. Thus, they make a big and serious mistake. This especially applies to drivers of Zhiguli cars, in which this warning light comes on only after less than a liter of oil remains in the car’s engine, and this risks causing the car’s engine to stop and jam.

How much oil should a turbocharged engine consume?

Automakers have taken a course away from classic naturally aspirated engines and switched to the production of turbocharged engines of small volume but high power. Many motorists are not at all happy about such changes, as they consider this type of engine less reliable.

Quite often you can hear complaints that a turbocharged engine consumes a lot of oil, and it has to be topped up regularly. But can this fact be considered a disadvantage, what kind of oil content should a turbo engine have?

Engine overheating

Boiling of coolant in the engine is mainly associated with long operation of the unit at maximum power. If this happens, then the increased formation of lubricant vapors caused by an increase in temperature is added to the volume of gases escaping from the combustion chambers. When the coolant boils, the formation of a vapor lock in the motor head is inevitable. The temperature of the cylinder head increases significantly, which increases oil evaporation. Overheating increases the fluidity of the oil, and it can seep through microcracks in worn oil seals. For this reason, the impeller pumps air with lubricant particles and this affects the functioning of the motor, reducing its wear resistance, as well as worsening operating parameters.

What to do if the turbine is leaking

There are many reasons for oil leakage from a turbocharger, but if only the turbine itself is to blame, it needs to be replaced:

• • high-quality repair of a turbocharger can only be performed by highly qualified specialists; there are few professionals in this matter;
• • the cost of such work is high, in many cases it is comparable to the price of a new turbine, or may even be higher.

If you determine that oil is leaking through the turbocharger, it is recommended to immediately contact qualified technicians at a service station.

Clogged catalyst and turbine

When the catalyst is clogged, resistance also appears at the exhaust gas outlet. This leads to increased load on the compressor rotor. If you continue to use the car, this will result in increased fuel consumption, decreased dynamics and power. This also leads to wear on the bearings in the turbine. That's why the turbine drives oil.

Clogged filter

Car owners often forget about air filters and do not change or clean them. But it plays an important role in the operation of supercharging. Dirty air leads to disturbances in the operation of the turbine. If the filter does not clean the incoming air well, it does not supply enough air. As a result, oil is driven through the turbine directly into the cooling system.

What is an intercooler?

An intercooler is a heat exchange device designed to cool heated compressed air supplied under pressure from the turbine to the engine. This is an integral part of the turbocharging system.

Essentially, this device is a copper or aluminum radiator through which compressed air passes and cools. Cooling is done using air or liquid.

Typically these devices are installed in the front of the car:

• In front of the engine cooling radiator
• Above the engine (there is a special air intake in the hood)
• On the side of the engine under the wing

Liquid intercoolers can be installed anywhere in the vehicle depending on its layout.

Initially, intercoolers were intended exclusively for turbocharged diesel engines, but now many solutions have emerged for turbocharging gasoline units.

Main causes of failure

Simple solutions

If you find oil in the intercooler, do not panic - it is quite possible that you will only need a couple of hours to eliminate this problem. First of all, check the condition of the oil drain pipe, which is laid between the turbine and the engine crankcase; it should be straight and not contain significant bends. When the drain pipe is bent, increased pressure occurs in the turbine, which forces the oil to be forced through the seal rings and into the intercooler. As a rule, this pipeline is made of dense, rigid material, but during prolonged use it can become deformed. The solution is simple - align the oil line and secure it in this position.

If the turbine throws oil into the intercooler, also inspect the air duct leading to it - there should be no cracks or holes in it. The reason could be that the filter is very clogged, which does not allow enough air to pass through. In both cases, a vacuum zone forms inside the supercharger, which extracts oil and gradually destroys the seal rings, contaminating the intercooler. The solution is to clean the filter and replace it as soon as possible, as well as repair any holes in the air duct.

Serious problems

Sometimes it’s so easy to get rid of problems that have arisen without success - oil in the intercooler pipe appears as a result of a disruption in communication with the engine crankcase. The reason may be the formation of various types of blockages in the oil drain pipe - from debris getting into it to the appearance of carbon deposits. Very often, car enthusiasts who independently repair a diesel engine use not special means to secure the oil line, but ordinary sealants, which, when heated, penetrate inside the tube and form blockages. The solution to the problem is to remove the oil drain pipe, thoroughly clean it and rinse it, being careful not to damage the walls of the tube.

However, this is not the worst case scenario - it is quite possible that the lubricant in the crankcase rises above the level of the drain pipe, and as a result, the turbine throws oil into the intercooler. It’s good if you simply went too far with the amount of oil used - but if the crankcase ventilation is impaired, the situation will not be so easily corrected. One of the reasons for the problem may be a violation of the integrity of the sealing rings in the cylinder-piston group, as a result of which exhaust gases will enter the crankcase and squeeze out the oil through the drain pipe. The solution is a major overhaul of the engine with replacement of rings.

Why can oil leak from the turbine?

Oil leakage through a turbocharger is a fairly common occurrence, and it does not always appear due to defects in the turbine itself.

The reasons here may be different:

• • the oil level in the system is higher than required;
• • crankcase ventilation of the internal combustion engine is clogged;
• • the cylinder-piston group is worn out, which creates a lot of pressure inside the engine;
• • the catalyst (catalytic converter) is clogged;
• • the turbine oil drain channel is clogged;
• • a lot of sealant was used in connecting the drain pipe to the turbine, due to which the diameter of the drain hole was reduced.

For all the above reasons, you can understand that many of them are related to oil drainage problems. Lubricant is supplied to the turbine “scroll” under pressure through the supply line, then it is mixed with air and exhaust gases. As a result, oil foam is formed, which subsequently flows into the lower part of the turbine housing, and only then enters the oil drain line, and then returns through it to the engine sump.

Diesel engine turbine oil

Each turbine has its own resource. But often the symptoms of a turbocharger failure become apparent before the service life stated by the manufacturers. The main root causes of problems are related to oil. It begins to flow from the scroll and enters the intake, as well as the intercooler or air filter pipes.

Oil leakage through turbine housing seals

This happens due to overheating of the turbocharger, shock to the turbine, use of dirty oil, wear of parts of the cylinder-piston group and other root causes. Typically, breakdowns occur if the turbocharging system is not serviced in a timely manner: filter replacement schedules are overdue, low-quality oil is used, etc.

If oil is leaking from the turbine, the drainage system should be checked. Sometimes it happens that the oil drain channel becomes clogged. Then the oil is retained in the turbine housing and begins to flow through the seals. The drain should not be bent. In addition, the drain line must be located above the lubricant level in the sump of the power unit.

It happens that oil leaks from the turbine due to a clogged catalyst . When it becomes clogged with soot, resistance to exhaust gases appears. At the same time, the load on the TKR rotor increases significantly, causing play, the turbine bearings quickly wear out, fuel consumption increases and engine power decreases. This cannot be done without repairing or even replacing the turbocharger.

Example of a clogged catalyst

The outside of the turbine is covered in oil

If there are oil leaks outside the turbine, the first thing to do is look for the cause. Check the tightness of the connection between the turbine and the cold part of the turbocharger . Perhaps the pipes are worn out or it’s time to replace the clamps.

The outside of the turbine is covered in oil

It is not uncommon for a leak to appear from the turbine core. Here you will need to tighten the flanges of the oil pipes . Sometimes you have to change the gaskets right away. When tightening the flanges, the main thing is not to overdo it and not to overtighten the fasteners.

Oil leak from turbine sertivina

It happens that there is a leak at the junction of the diffuser disc and the turbocharger core. In such a situation, you need to figure out what kind of liquid is leaking from the turbine. In older TKR models, a special lubricant used to ensure tight connections may drip. You will have to remove the turbocharger to carry out diagnostics. It is impossible to do without repairing the turbine if there are heavy oil leaks in the air valves.

New pipes and tightened fastenings do not always help correct the situation. If oil reappears outside the housing, the turbine may need to be repaired or replaced with a new one.

Oil in the cold part of the turbine

Problems in the cold part of the turbine usually arise due to damage or breakdown of neighboring vehicle systems . However, there are times when oil appears between the air filter and the engine, inside the air duct. Lubricant enters the air pipes through the breather, which is responsible for removing crankcase gases .

Oil inside the duct

The reason lies in the abnormally increased gas pressure. Since the intake and exhaust systems are interconnected, a failure in the operation of some mechanisms affects the functioning of others. As the pressure in the crankcase increases, the pipe inside becomes covered with an oil film.

Oil is thrown into the cold part of the turbine and the pipes from the air filter due to many factors: a dirty air filter, a clogged muffler, destruction of the piston partitions and various breakdowns of the cylinder-piston group . And sometimes grease getting into the pipe is a consequence of problems with the crankcase ventilation system.

Eliminating the root causes of oil getting into the turbine air pipe:

• If there is excess oil in the diesel engine crankcase, it must be drained. The grease level on the dipstick should be in the middle (between MAX and MIN).
• Due to a clogged air filter, the engine does not have enough air and sucks gases from the crankcase through the breather. Oil vapors settle in the air duct. The only correct solution is to replace the dirty air filter.
• When the crankcase ventilation system is not working, gas pressure increases excessively in the hose between the valve cover and the throttle valve, as well as in the passages in the cylinder block. Gradually, resin collects in these nodes and coking occurs, the lumen of the channels becomes clogged. In such a situation, you need to clean all channels.
• If the catalyst has melted, you will have to clean the exhaust system.

It happens that the reason lies in the occurrence of compression rings or in the destruction of the cylinder walls. In addition to lubrication in the air filter pipe, there are problems with starting the engine, too smoky exhaust, as well as unstable idling. It is difficult to fix such a problem at home in the garage; it is better to immediately contact the service.

Oil in the hot part of the turbine

When lubricant gets into the hot part of the turbocharger, increased fuel consumption occurs, the turbine begins to consume oil, engine power decreases, and the color and smell of the exhaust also changes. Oil leaks will be visible on the throttle body and outside the air filter.

Oil in the intake manifold

The turbocharger often throws oil into the exhaust or intake manifold not due to its own failure, but due to a malfunction of neighboring components , for example, the crankcase ventilation system of the power unit. When the ventilation fails to do its job, excess gas pressure forms in the crankcase and the oil is difficult to drain through the turbine drain line. In the bearing housing, the lubricant is “backed up” and begins to have a negative effect on the turbocharging components. The situation may occur due to the following factors: pinching, fracture or coking of the crankcase ventilation system pipe, as well as coking of the oil separator.

The turbine throws oil into the manifold and if foreign objects get into the drain line, for example, remnants of sealant or pieces of an old gasket. Coked lines are also common.

Oil may appear in the hot part of the cochlea due to insufficient air intake from the turbine. Here you need to inspect the air filter and air intake pipe.

On the compressor side, the turbine begins to drive oil when the exhaust system malfunctions. When exhaust is obstructed, the pressure in the hot end of the turbocharger increases too much. Exhaust gases penetrate into the middle housing of the TCR, increasing the pressure there too - this causes the release of lubricant from the compressor.

What needs to be done to normalize blood pressure?

To do this, when installing the turbine unit, it is necessary to perform certain actions, in particular:

1. Find out the condition of the filter; if it is dirty, you need to either clean it or replace it.
2. It is necessary to check the condition of the air filter box and intake pipe. If necessary, they will need to be cleaned.
3. Find out how airtight the box and filter cover are. If it is damaged, foreign particles may enter the internal parts of the turbine and this will sooner or later lead to its failure.
4. In addition to the above operations, it is necessary to clean all pipes installed in this unit. During assembly, you must ensure that no foreign particles get inside.

Important! If a decision was made to replace the turbine unit and the specified measures were not taken, then the likelihood is that the installed turbine will begin to ooze oil.

Additional operations that must be performed when servicing or replacing the turbine:

It is necessary to replace the engine oil poured into the engine. The whole point is that foreign particles that are in the oil will sooner or later settle on the surface of the bearings and the compressor will be jammed after some time.

Important! To avoid foreign particles getting into the oil, it is unacceptable to use sealing compounds. Over time, they dry out and begin to break down, forming small solid particles.

Unfortunately, not all car locksmiths know and perform the above operations. Therefore, when purchasing a turbine in a specialized store, you need to take the installation instructions, study them yourself and demand that the mechanic installing the compressor strictly follow them. In this case, it is not particularly important whether the compressor will be replaced in the field or at a service station.

The most common breakdowns in the turbocharging system

During the operation of a car, a turbocharged engine is subject to wear and tear, since all components and assemblies of the internal combustion engine have their own specific resource. Also, turbine parts wear out over time, but the turbocharger can fail ahead of schedule, and the main causes of malfunctions here are as follows:

• • dirty oil is used in the engine;
• • there was an impact that damaged turbine parts;
• • there is not enough oil in the engine;
• • the turbocharger has overheated.

Mostly, breakdowns in the turbocharging system occur due to violations of vehicle operation rules and untimely maintenance.

What is a car turbine for?

The turbocharger is designed to pump an additional portion of oxygen into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine (internal combustion engine), since with the standard supply of the air-fuel mixture to the cylinders there is not enough air, because of this, efficiency is lost, and accordingly, the efficiency of the engine is reduced.

The system is designed in such a way that part of the exhaust gases enters the turbine housing onto the “hot” impeller, which, rotating, begins to pump air into the intake tract of the internal combustion engine. The impeller shaft rotates in bearings, and the mechanism itself becomes very hot from the hot exhaust. In order to somehow cool the operating unit, an intercooler was invented that cools the air flow to a temperature of 50-60 degrees. IMAGE

There is also another impeller in the turbine, a “cold” one, which pumps air from the side of the intake manifold, but it is also heated by the rest of the mechanism, but not so much. In a word, a turbine is installed in order to increase engine power, increase the efficiency of a car engine, and make the engine more responsive and dynamic. But the turbocharger operates under heavy load and in severe temperature conditions, and therefore requires care and compliance with the rules of vehicle operation.

Rare cases

Now let's look at more rare, private cases, which, however, sometimes bother car enthusiasts.

Mechanical damage to the turbine . In particular, this may be due to an accident or other accident, the impeller getting hit by some foreign heavy object (for example, a bolt or nut left after installation), or simply a defective product. In this case, unfortunately, repairing the turbine is hardly possible, and it is better to replace it, since the damaged unit will still have a much lower service life, so it will be unprofitable from an economic point of view.

For example, there is an oil leak outside the turbine on the compressor side . If the diffuser disk is attached to the core using bolts, for example, as is implemented in the Holset H1C or H1E turbochargers, then perhaps one of the four mounting bolts has reduced the tensioning torque or has broken. It is less likely to be lost due to vibration. However, if it is simply not there, you need to install a new one and tighten all the bolts with the required torque. But when the bolt breaks and its inner part gets into the turbine, it needs to be dismantled and try to find the broken part. In the worst case scenario, replace it completely.

Leaking from the connection between the diffuser disk and the volute . The problem here is that you need to make sure that oil is leaking from the mentioned connection. Since older models of turbochargers used a special thick lubricant to ensure their tightness. However, during operation of the turbine, under the influence of high temperatures and damage to the seals, this lubricant may leak out. Therefore, for additional diagnostics, it is necessary to dismantle the snail and find out whether there are oil leaks inside the air valves. If there are none, and instead there is only moisture, then you don’t have to worry, wipe it with a rag, and put the entire unit back to its original state. Otherwise, you need to perform additional diagnostics and use one of the tips above.

High oil level in the crankcase . Occasionally, in turbocharged engines, excess oil may leak out of the system due to its high level in the crankcase (above the MAX mark). In this case, it is necessary to drain the excess lubricant to the maximum permissible level. This can be done either in a garage or in a car service center.

Engine design features . In particular, there are cases where some engines, due to their design, themselves created resistance to the gravity drain of oil from the compressor. In particular, this happens because the counterweight of the engine crankshaft, with its mass, seems to throw the oil back. And here nothing can be done. You just need to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the engine and the oil level.

Wear of elements of the cylinder-piston group (CPG) . In this case, a situation is possible when exhaust gases break into the oil pan and create increased pressure there. This is especially aggravated if the crankcase ventilation does not work correctly or not fully. Accordingly, gravity drainage of oil is difficult, and the turbine simply expels it from the system through weak seals. Especially if the latter are already old and leaky.

Clogged breather filter . It is located in the crankcase ventilation system and can also become clogged over time. And this, in turn, leads to its incorrect operation. Therefore, along with checking the functionality of the ventilation, it is necessary to check the condition of the specified filter. If necessary, it must be replaced.

Incorrect turbine installation . Or another option is to install a obviously low-quality or faulty turbine. This option, of course, is rare, but if you performed repair work at a car service center with a dubious reputation, then it also cannot be excluded.

Disabling the EGR valve . Some car enthusiasts, in a situation where the turbine “eats up” oil, advise turning off the EGR valve, that is, the exhaust gas recirculation valve. In fact, such a step can indeed be taken, but it is necessary to further become familiar with the consequences of this action, since it affects many processes in the engine. But remember that even if you decide to take such a step, you will still need to find the reason why the oil is being “eaten up”. After all, at the same time, its level constantly drops, and engine operation in conditions of oil starvation is very harmful for the power unit and turbine.

Extending turbocharger life

The main cause of oil leakage through the turbine is excess pressure created in the engine crankcase; to prevent it from occurring, it is necessary to regularly carry out a number of preventive measures. You should also not forget about timely maintenance; automotive repair professionals advise doing the following :

• • change the engine oil and oil filter in a timely manner; dirt in the oil system has a detrimental effect on the turbine and “kills” it;
• • check the condition of the air filter even if it is not yet due for replacement. At the same time, not only the filter element itself is inspected, but also the filter housing and air pipe;
• • periodically remove and clean the pipes coming from the turbocharger;
• • check the tightness of the air filter housing itself. If the box is not sealed, dust will bypass the filter element and get onto the turbocharger impeller.

When operating a car with a turbocharged engine, you cannot skimp on consumables: you should only fill the engine with high-quality motor oil and use original-made filters. You also need to remember that a production car with a turbo engine is not intended for racing, although it has a fairly powerful power unit.

If a turbine fails, its replacement should be trusted to professionals, and not rely on your own strength. There are many examples where independent installation and dismantling of a turbocharger led to disastrous results, and the car owner had to pay dearly for his unskilled work.

The turbine drives oil - why?

The main cause of this malfunction is excess oil pressure in the turbocharger, which leads to the release of oil into the turbine compressor housing, and then along with air into the engine combustion chamber.

Excessive oil pressure in the turbine can occur for the following reasons:

• the crankcase ventilation tube is clogged;
• the oil drain pipe from the turbine is deformed;
• The oil drain holes from the turbine are clogged.

The most common causes of clogging of the oil inlet and oil outlet pipes of a turbocharger are untimely oil changes and adding oil of a different brand and with other characteristics during the operation of the vehicle, or the use of low-quality oil. This leads to the oil losing its lubricating properties and the formation of deposits of solid particles, as a result of which the turbocharger becomes clogged and fails.

The turbine can also drive oil due to wear of the sealing rings, which are located in the turbocharger housing. This defect can be caused by the ingress of small metal particles into the oil or other elements that have abrasive properties.

What can cause oil leakage from a turbine?

When the turbine drives oil, this will lead to a significant increase in engine oil consumption. A characteristic sign of this malfunction is the presence of bluish smoke in the exhaust. Also, increased oil emissions can lead to damage to the turbocharger.

Leak due to clogged air filter

As the vehicle is used, the air filter gradually becomes clogged. Abrasive accumulates in it. The resistance to the passage of air flow increases and a vacuum is formed at the turbine inlet. At high and medium speeds the engine runs fine. There is excess pressure behind the turbine wheel, so oil does not flow.

But at idle and transient modes, the vacuum is already at the inlet and outlet. At low loads, oil rises from the bottom of the turbine housing due to vacuum and then enters the intake manifold. This is the same case when the turbine drives oil into the intercooler.

And to eliminate the malfunction you need very little - just replacing the air filter with a new one. Sometimes it is enough to blow out the old filter well.

On the importance of timely diagnosis

Oil in the engine power system leads to fatal consequences. This is turbine breakdown, coking of rings, burnout of pistons and valves and other troubles. Even a slight appearance of oil in the intercooler should alert the owner. It is necessary to stop operating the car and carry out diagnostics. This will save you from replacing units and costly engine repairs.

Oil getting into the intercooler is a common malfunction of turbocharged engines. It is caused by the design and operation features of the turbine. An unpleasant symptom that signals that the engine needs to be given close attention. This problem cannot simply be left like that. If self-diagnosis does not clarify the situation, you need to contact a professional.

The main reasons for oil leakage from the exhaust pipe

The reasons why oil drips from the exhaust pipe and bluish smoke occurs:

• Worn parts in the engine of your vehicle, due to long-term and improper use of it and, in particular, its engine;
• The occurrence of piston rings on the engine pistons;
• The oil removal caps have become old and no longer serve their purpose;
• Rupture of the regulator membrane (for cars with an automatic gearbox).
• Malfunction of the turbocharger (in turbocharged engines);
• Worn piston seals.

The reason for the appearance of oil in the exhaust can be not only the worn out surface of the rings on the outside, which have direct contact with the engine cylinders, but also their ends. The grooves of the mentioned rings in the engine pistons can also wear out. Even if the oil removal rings are not yet completely worn out, oil will nevertheless begin to penetrate into the engine cylinders, since the upper rings are constantly pumping in the direction from bottom to top. Engine cylinders wear out more in the area where the first ring on the piston stops when it reaches its maximum point, and in the middle of the cylinder they often take on an oval shape. The difference between the cylindrical type and the circle causes the sealing characteristics of the rings to deteriorate and causes oil to enter the vehicle exhaust pipe.

The appearance of oil in the exhaust pipe can occur as a result of long-term parking of the car, as a result of which pockets of corrosion of the cylinders and engine rings appear and some time is required for the cylinders and rings to get used to each other. The same is observed with poor-quality engine repairs, when the smoothness of the surface of the cylinders is disturbed or their location is disturbed.

This is possible if the quality of the engine pistons and rings is poor. Oil often appears in the exhaust pipe in new cars, before the cylinders and piston rings have been ground in, but, as a rule, it disappears after the car engine warms up. With a lot of wear on the piston system, this picture is completely different - as the engine warms up, the amount of oil entering the exhaust pipe increases, because it is much easier for the heated oil to penetrate into the cylinders through parts that are already quite worn out.

The appearance of oil in the exhaust pipe of a car may be accompanied by other reasons, which can only be identified and eliminated by visiting a car service center that provides the most detailed diagnostics of your car’s engine. The reason for the appearance of oil in the exhaust pipe of a car can also be a malfunction of the piston group, which can result in other engine breakdowns, namely, an increase in pressure in the crankcase or loss of engine compression. Often the cause of the appearance of oil in the exhaust pipe can be a malfunction of one of the engine cylinders.

A separate group should include wear of engine valves and guide bushings, as well as wear of oil drain caps. This causes oil to penetrate into the exhaust pipe of the engine as it heats up, since heated oil penetrates more easily through the gaps in worn parts due to its low viscosity. Oil in the exhaust pipe of a car often appears when the engine valves are leaking or when there is a malfunction in the ignition system.

In all these cases, operating the car is not only difficult, but also extremely undesirable, since it can cause other, more serious engine malfunctions. Until it completely goes out of working order. So, at the first appearance of oil in the exhaust pipe, you must immediately be alert and take the necessary measures so as not to be left without a vehicle for a long time.