The most common signs of a failing turbo are a loss of power or boost, a loud whine or siren-like whistle that is new, blue or gray exhaust smoke, rising oil consumption and a check engine light such as P0299 for underboost. Most turbos last as long as the engine when the oil is changed on time and the engine is warmed up and cooled down properly; failures usually come from oil problems, foreign objects or excessive heat rather than age alone.
Turbo failure symptoms
- Loss of power or slow boost: the engine feels flat, or boost builds more slowly than it used to.
- New noises: a louder whine, a siren-like whistle or a grinding sound from the turbo.
- Blue or gray smoke: worn seals let oil into the intake or exhaust; see exhaust smoke colors.
- Black smoke on diesels: fuel without enough boost air.
- Oil consumption and oil in the intake piping.
- Warning lights: underboost or overboost codes, sometimes with reduced power; see limp mode.
Is turbo whistle normal?
A light whistle as the turbo spools up is normal on many engines. A whistle that gets louder over time, or a new siren-like noise, can mean a boost leak in the piping or intercooler, or a damaged compressor wheel. Check hoses and clamps for leaks before blaming the turbo.
What causes turbo failure?
- Oil starvation or dirty oil: the shaft spins on a thin oil film, so late oil changes or a restricted oil feed wear the bearings fast.
- Foreign object damage: debris through the intake or exhaust chips the wheels.
- Heat: very high exhaust temperatures, or shutting a hot engine off immediately after hard running.
- Actuator problems: on variable geometry turbos, sticking vanes or a failed actuator cause poor boost; see variable geometry turbos.
How long do turbos last?
There is no fixed mileage. With clean oil, a good air filter and sensible warm-up and cool-down habits, many turbos last the life of the engine. Hard use, towing heavy loads and neglected maintenance shorten that.
Replacing a 6.7 Cummins turbo
For the 6.7 Cummins we carry Fleece Performance VGT Cheetah drop-in replacements, each $3,099.00: the HE351VE replacement for 2007.5-2012, which keeps the factory exhaust brake working and ships with a new pre-calibrated actuator, and the HE300VG replacement for 2013-2018, which ships with a new actuator. Both use a 63mm compressor wheel and a high-flow Inconel turbine wheel. Which one fits is explained on our 6.7 Cummins turbo page.
More guides: diesel losing power · car loses power when accelerating · diesel black smoke · what does a wastegate do? · what does a blow-off valve do? · what is turbo lag? · 6.7 Cummins turbo actuator · how long an intercooler lasts.
Trouble codes: P0299 Turbo/Supercharger Underboost · P0234 Turbo/Supercharger Overboost · P2563 VGT Position Sensor Range · P2263 Boost System Performance · P0236 Boost Sensor Range/Performance · P0243 Wastegate Solenoid A · all OBD2 codes.
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