Thread: Turbo-disaster

Originally Posted by LennyK

What might have caused it???

It's a turbo. They spin at insane speeds, so almost anything. It looks as if a vane has broken off and bashed up all the others on it's way out.

Originally Posted by LennyK

What other damage can I expect???

Hopefully, the intercooler will have caught all the bits and pieces that got thrown off the turbine, so maybe nothing, but you will need to check.

Originally Posted by LennyK

What do I need to check/replace before I fit a new one???

Seems like a good time for an intercooler upgrade, as there is no way to be sure there aren't any little bits hiding in there.

Originally Posted by LennyK

Hoping I can get some advice from those who have been there done that.

Well, not on a TD5, but on a 17 litre Scania V8. Same thing. Broken big time, no power, and major hassles. But, the intercooler caught all the little bits of metal that you see are missing.

While you are at it, have a look here: Td5 Uprated turbo core group buy

Seems like a good time...

My opinion only, not professional advice.

Originally Posted by johntins

It's a turbo. They spin at insane speeds, so almost anything. It looks as if a vane has broken off and bashed up all the others on it's way out.



Hopefully, the intercooler will have caught all the bits and pieces that got thrown off the turbine, so maybe nothing, but you will need to check.



Seems like a good time for an intercooler upgrade, as there is no way to be sure there aren't any little bits hiding in there.



Well, not on a TD5, but on a 17 litre Scania V8. Same thing. Broken big time, no power, and major hassles. But, the intercooler caught all the little bits of metal that you see are missing.

While you are at it, have a look here: Td5 Uprated turbo core group buy

Seems like a good time...

My opinion only, not professional advice.

Thanks johntins. Have bought a bore scope to have a good look around and have a new unit from Garret. Just haven't seen one quite that bad and thought there might be an issue with the TD5 I would need to address before fitting a new one.

Originally Posted by LennyK

Thanks johntins. Have bought a bore scope to have a good look around and have a new unit from Garret. Just haven't seen one quite that bad and thought there might be an issue with the TD5 I would need to address before fitting a new one.

I stress that I am no expert, but a turbo is a turbo. Perhaps you need to look at the input side, as in is there any way some foreign object bypassed your air filter?

Seriously though, they fail. There isn't much clearance between the blades and the housing, so a worn bearing will do it. Speeds of 100,000 rpm are common, and all it takes at that speed is a touch, and one thing leads to another.

A different topic, in a way, but I have always believed in idling down an engine, to stabilise temps ( VW horizontally opposed 1600s would crack heads ) or to allow the turbo to spin down and cool with oil pressure present. Current thinking says that is bad for the environment.

Originally Posted by johntins

I stress that I am no expert, but a turbo is a turbo. Perhaps you need to look at the input side, as in is there any way some foreign object bypassed your air filter?

Seriously though, they fail. There isn't much clearance between the blades and the housing, so a worn bearing will do it. Speeds of 100,000 rpm are common, and all it takes at that speed is a touch, and one thing leads to another.

A different topic, in a way, but I have always believed in idling down an engine, to stabilise temps ( VW horizontally opposed 1600s would crack heads ) or to allow the turbo to spin down and cool with oil pressure present. Current thinking says that is bad for the environment.

Yes... plan to look on the inlet side too. Have read that the inlet pipe can laminate. Could see a piece of pipe coming away and going into the turbo.

Dont know how much oil you lost but is the bottom end of the motor ok as you said you heard thump`s from big ends and that is not a good sound

Originally Posted by rangieman

Dont know how much oil you lost but is the bottom end of the motor ok as you said you heard thump`s from big ends and that is not a good sound

Now, now, Chris. Not sure if what has been posted requires your particular form of negativity just yet. Maybe the car is a manual, and you won't have to hate it automatically

Originally Posted by johntins

Now, now, Chris. Not sure if what has been posted requires your particular form of negativity just yet. Maybe the car is a manual, and you won't have to hate it automatically

Only stating the obvious as the op stated and hopefully not a auto or the thump could be terminal auto fail or torque and drive plate prob`s

Originally Posted by rangieman

Dont know how much oil you lost but is the bottom end of the motor ok as you said you heard thump`s from big ends and that is not a good sound

No oil left to speak of and definitely 2 big end knocks as I switched her off.