If you have ever been out on the open road somewhere with miles and miles of road and no vehicles in sight, you may have been tempted to punch the accelerator a little more and see how fast your vehicle can fly! If you owned a turbocharged vehicle, that temptation may even have been greater!
Most vehicle owners who purchase a turbocharged engine (or turbo) probably purchased it for one reason – the increased horsepower for overall performance. Besides horsepower, a turbocharged engine actually has many advantages over a regular one.
So, what exactly is the difference between a regular engine and a turbocharged engine?
In this month’s blog, we explain how a turbocharger works differently from a regular engine. We also review some of the possible problems that may develop with a turbocharger and ways to keep your turbocharged engine properly maintained. Let’s start with some of the basics first.
What is a turbocharger?
Your vehicle’s internal combustion engine needs the proper mixture of air and fuel (gasoline) to produce power. The internal combustion engine gets its power through the air that is forced through the cylinders and the ignition of fuel that causes the movement of engine parts. This power creates gases that must be exhausted.
An engine that is turbocharged, produces an increased amount of air in the cylinders that result in more power. A turbocharger consists of a turbine and a compressor. These two components work together to produce more air, compress it, and force it through the engine’s cylinders, ultimately creating more overall engine output and power. Besides the sheer horsepower, the benefits of a turbocharged engine include improved fuel consumption, decreased exhaust emissions and noise pollution, and a smaller overall engine size and weight.
What are the more common problems?
There are some unique issues that your turbocharged engine may experience that should not be overlooked.
- Oil Quality: In a turbo engine, the motor oil can easily become contaminated with carbon deposits. With the increased air, there is an abundance of exhaust which can result in carbon deposits entering the turbocharger and polluting the oil. More frequent oil changes can help with reducing the possible contamination of oil.
- Hot Stopping: A turbocharged engine needs more time to cool down. Many times, it will stay hot once the vehicle is stopped. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to allow the engine to idle before turning off the vehicle, giving it time to cool down.
- Foreign Objects: There is more likelihood that a turbocharged engine will have foreign objects enter and damage it over time. Dust, debris, and even leaves can get into the compressor and cause damage.
What are some signs of problems?
Here are a few signs to look for if there are developing issues with the turbocharger:
- Poor acceleration.
- Excessive or irregular exhaust emissions.
- Triggering of the Check Engine light
- The engine makes a loud, shrieking noise.
What are some ways to keep the turbocharger maintained?
The good news is that there are ways you can maintain your turbocharger through some simple tasks, which include:
- Changing the engine oil and filter, using a high-quality synthetic, on a regular schedule.
- Letting the engine warm up before driving.
- Letting the engine cool down before shutting it off, especially if you have been maximizing the power of the turbocharged engine during your driving.
- When it comes to fuel, using the octane level recommended by the manufacturer.
If you feel that your turbocharger is developing issues, do not hesitate to contact the service professionals at Geller’s Automotive. We will take the time to inspect your engine and make recommendations for any necessary repairs or maintenance to keep your turbocharged engine running smoothly.
