Turbo Problems
What's a turbo actuator? do i need one on my car?
Turbochargers can be complicated – there are masses of various additives, and if you’re planning on tuning your car, you need to understand how all of the different bits and portions paintings!
Turbo Problems - common turbo faults. Find us on Google+ Turbocharger Diagnosis and Repair
What does it mean when your car goes into Limp Mode?
In this day in age, most systems in your vehicle are electronically controlled by computers. Limp Mode or sometimes called Fail Conditions comes into play when the vehicle computer has detected a problem with one of the major systems within its logic computer.
A reading from any sensor, and the ECU computer knows that the readings are outside of the correct ranges. The module can’t process the correct outputs based on the data it has. When this happens the vehicle’s ECU computer will create a trouble code and turn on a check engine or other malfunction indicator light.
Symptoms of Limp Mode
- None or slow acceleration
- The intake could be blocked with carbon
- Speed is restricted
- Sticking turbo vanes or actuator
- Exhaust leak could cause the car to enter Limp Mode
Moving the car to a safe place
The whole idea of Limp Mode was designed to allow the driver of the vehicle to move the car to a safe place, off a busy road or onto the hard shoulder on a motorway. In some cases the car is still available to drive, although maybe not to the full potential. Allowing you to drive the vehicle home or back to a local garage for a diagnosis.
Next Step
If your car has entered Limp Mode, when you have arrived at a safe place you may be able to shut down the vehicle, waiting a few minutes before starting the vehicle up again. In some cases, this resets the electronic controls, restoring the data. Although the car may run like normal it is still advised to get your vehicle checked out by a local mechanic for a check as the original fault may not of disappeared. If the vehicle does not reset, you will need to take the vehicle to a local mechanic for a complete test and diagnosis.
What is variable geometry and why are those systems used?
While a turbocharger is matched to an engine, it's miles vital to balance the low velocity response with excessive pace efficiency. The nozzle ring assembly is designed to alternate the exhaust fuel inlet area with the engine speed to closely healthy the favored raise necessities of the engine. As the engine velocity increases, the electronic actuator moves the nozzle ring meeting vanes to the completely open role to maximise the exhaust gasoline flow.
- Advantages of actuators include: Rapid response to changes in speed;
- Accuracy of minimum and maximum air float;
- Remarks loop to the automobile’s ECU– shows wherein the actuator role is and learns what raise is required.
Faulty Electronic Turbo Actuator:
- Whole lack of electricity, inflicting the vehicle to enter ‘limp home’ mode;
- Flashing engine control mild;
- Intermittent low strain, or over enhance.
Mishandling of the turbo
If the turbo connector is knocked or banged, it's going to spoil and the complete unit will need changing.
Overboost
Over Boost can be caused for many reasons, the most common ones are listed (below)
Possible Cause(s) | Solution |
Air Leak | Fine the leak, and replace/ repair pipe/gaskets |
Turbo internals may be damaged | Diagnose and Repair / Replace Turbo |
Foreign Matter (Impact) may of entered the inlet pipe | Replace the Turbocharger |
VNT Blocked | Replace and Repair Turbo |
Actuator settings may be wrong | Replace Actuator |
Low Boost
When the engine lacks power or has low boost there can be a variety of possible causes for this. Check the possible causes (below) and then match it to the solution.
Possible Cause(s) | Solution |
Internal Engine Components Worn | Repair the Engine / Replace worn parts |
Air Filter Blocked | Replace the Air Filter |
Turbo internals may be damaged | Diagnose and Repair / Replace Turbocharger |
Air pipe (to the turbo) is restricted | Replace the Air Pipe |
VNT Blocked | Replace / Repair Turbo |
Airleak | Find the leak and replace/ repair pipe/gaskets |
Actuator Arm is Stuck Open | Replace Actuator |
Sticking Vanes
VNT Turbo Vanes have replaced the original and older type of wastegate system on most diesel turbochargers. The reason being to improve fuel economy, to reduce emissions and to make the turbocharger more responsive even at low speeds.
Turbo Vanes are a row of vanes fitted inside the the turbocharger which will match the boost required from the engine at low engine RPM. The VNT Turbo Vanes will close thereby giving a rapid boost and response time. They also lower the LAG prone to the wastegate type turbochargers. When the engine is running at higher revs the VNT turbo vanes open to maximize exhaust flow, to avoid over-speeding or over-boosting and damaging the turbochargers or even the engine
Repair suggestions
Whilst repairing the electronic actuator the malicious program tools and motor must be an appropriate ratio to keep away from immediate failure. Soldering to repair broken connections in the gearbox and black cap is not cautioned. solder is vulnerable to cracking in environments with temperature variance and vibration. for that reason, the motor and motor choke assembly connector must be spot-welded.
So do i want a brand new wastegate actuator?
The stock wastegate actuators supplied through original manufacturer are set to particular tolerances, and are designed to open at precise raise ranges and rapid inlet pressures.
If you’re planning on tuning your engine and growing the rapid enhance stage, you they'll need to think about changing your actuator with a bigger, higher overall performance model that’s designed to handle the increase in strain.