Step 1: Before Replacing A Turbo
There It is important to conduct a thorough diagnostic check of the engine system to determine if the “fault” is actually the turbocharger. A lack of power, noisy operation, excessive smoke or oil consumption could result from a faulty fuel injection system, ECU or electrical problems, restricted or blocked air filter, a damaged exhaust system or a lubrication problem. If possible, check crankcase pressure according to the engine manufacturer’s specification. A higher than normal crankcase pressure reading may lead to oil leakage fromthe turbo into the inlet and exhaust systems.
Step 2: Before Replacing A Turbo
If the engine diagnostic check does not uncover any obvious cause,make sure that an extensive trouble shooting analysis is completed.Key turbocharger areas for examination include foreign objects, lack of lubrication, oil contamination, over-speeding of the turbo and excessive temperature. This is important because turbo damage can often be a symptom of an underlying problem rather than the cause itself. Our website has more detailed information on this subject – please click here to learn more.
Step 5: Turbo Installation
Ensure that correct gaskets are used.For example – the center hole of any gasket must be perfectly aligned with the center hole of the turbo flange. Some turbos use a threaded connector and no gasket. Some turbos use a “banjo fitting” with “banjo bolt”; in these cases, use new sealing gaskets/washers.
Important Note: Do not use liquid gasket or sealants, particularly for the oil inlet or outlet since excessive material may enter the turbo, reducing or stopping oil flow.
Step 6: Turbo Installation
It is recommended that you use new air, oil and fuel filters and clean engine oil to the engine or vehicle maker’s specification.When installing the new oil filter, if possible, fill it with clean, fresh engine oil. Also,if it is accessible, back-fill the pressure line from the oil pump to the filter. This is particularly important on high mileage engines, where the oil pressure line may empty during oil changes!
Step 11: Turbo Installation
Position the turbo onto manifold or engine block using the correct new gasket or O ring, and then reconnect the exhaust pipe. Tighten all nuts and bolts.*
Important Note for Steps 12-15 Pay special attention to oil feed and drain lines, which must be totally clean and have no damage to ensure unrestricted oil flow. Make sure that flexible hose liners have not collapsed internally and that the oil feed line is not too close to source of heat which may have damaged the oil feed line internally. This is common on some vehicles and difficult to detect without cutting the pipe! For this reason, we recommend fitting a new oil inlet pipe when installing the new turbo.
Step 16: Turbo Installation
Crank the engine for 10 – 15 seconds without starting the engine.If possible, disable the fuelling/ignition or use compression test mode to allow this. This helps to prime the oil feed to the turbocharger by filling the oil pressure lines, oil filter and turbo with oil before start-up. Important Note: As soon as the engine starts, the turbo will run at high speed and a lack of lubrication in these vital first few seconds can destroy a brand new turbo.
Step 16: Turbo Installation
Crank the engine for 10 – 15 seconds without starting the engine.If possible, disable the fuelling/ignition or use compression test mode to allow this. This helps to prime the oil feed to the turbocharger by filling the oil pressure lines, oil filter and turbo with oil before start-up. Important Note: As soon as the engine starts, the turbo will run at high speed and a lack of lubrication in these vital first few seconds can destroy a brand new turbo.
Step 18: Turbo Installation
Stop the engine and re-check engine oil level.Oil level should be between the minimum and maximum mark on the dipstick – it is important to make sure that oil level is not above the point where turbo oil drain pipe connects to the engine or this may lead to oil leakage from the turbo into the inlet and exhaust systems.