Turbo Failure?

P3AHE · 16th September 2017, 12:58

How do I know if my Turbo has blown? What are the symptons & what parts are required for repairing? Sorry for all the questions but Ive never had problems with a Turbo before. My ZT 1.8T started blowing white smoke this morning . There is no coolant loss or mayo.

T-Cut · 16th September 2017, 14:41

Sudden smoke from the exhaust is a typical sign. But it's usually bluey-grey from oil getting into the hot pipe. Turbochargers fail through lack of lubrication and/or cooling. Have you any reason to believe the oil or coolant supply is poor?

P3AHE · 16th September 2017, 15:56

No obvious reason for poor lubrication. No engine oil leaks , although I have only just purchased oil & filter this week to do an oil change. Twelve months since last oil change , approx. 8000 miles. Checked coolant level this morning before leaving home and again after noticing the smoke, allowing everything to cool down first.

T-Cut · 16th September 2017, 18:45

Are you sure the exhaust is producing white smoke as distinct from a lot of steam?
Smoke persists in the air, while steam evaporates and disappears very quickly this time of year. A coolant leak into the combustion chambers produces a white (steamy) exhaust, particularly on cold startup. Typically, inlet manifold gasket failure does it.

TC

P3AHE · 16th September 2017, 19:23

Can smell the oil in smoke and it's not steam. Travelled for 15 miles and it was fairly consistant but at times large plumes of white smoke. Very embarrassing when stuck in traffic in a town centre. Did stop twice to allow a cooling down period & topped up oil. I'm convinced it's the Turbo because there has been no coolant loss.

Grumble and Grouch · 16th September 2017, 21:48

There's a thread about fitting a cartridge very recently as mines just gone, new turbos are bleeding expensive. If you're confident the cartridge seems a decent option and the mellett ones seem well thought of. I'm useless mechanically so I've gone for a recon unit.
Initial symptom was some white smoke, seeming to improve when warmed up so I thought it might be the inlet manifold gasket but rapidly deteriorated and was oil residue in the exhaust.

T-Cut · 16th September 2017, 23:58

Remove the wide bore hose on the turbo intake. That exposes the compressor turbine and the spindle everything depends on. See if there's any slop in the spindle. You can waggle the end with your fingers. The slightest slop means the bearings have failed. Easy to replace the CHRA for £100-£150 or so. Mellett is a good brand but the cheaper units from China are just as good, but no warranty. A reconditioned turbocharger complete will set you back £180-£250. A new Garrett from Rimmer is double that.

TC

moorhouse.family · 18th September 2017, 21:27

I'd check the pipes from the turbo intercooler first before I assume it's a thousand pound turbo that rarely fail.

P3AHE · 19th September 2017, 07:05

Is there a How To for access to Turbo and taking off to examine , repair or replace? Have been offered a Recon Turbo and this may be the quickest method of getting car back on road. 2 year warranty with recon unit. Not able to carry out repairs myself , so possible labour savings on fitting a new CHRA.
Can't carry out repairs myself because of access. It would need to be done on side of a very busy side street plus I live on a hill! No garages locally interested in carrying out this sort of work. In fact found nobody interested in changing the clutches on both my TF or ZT.

Greeners · 19th September 2017, 07:08

This was mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frEh2UsTJko

16th September 2017, 12:58	#1
P3AHE Regular poster MG ZT 1.8 Turbo & MG TF Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tonypandy Posts: 99 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Turbo Failure? How do I know if my Turbo has blown? What are the symptons & what parts are required for repairing? Sorry for all the questions but Ive never had problems with a Turbo before. My ZT 1.8T started blowing white smoke this morning . There is no coolant loss or mayo.

16th September 2017, 15:56	#3
P3AHE Regular poster MG ZT 1.8 Turbo & MG TF Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tonypandy Posts: 99 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	No obvious reason for poor lubrication. No engine oil leaks , although I have only just purchased oil & filter this week to do an oil change. Twelve months since last oil change , approx. 8000 miles. Checked coolant level this morning before leaving home and again after noticing the smoke, allowing everything to cool down first. Last edited by P3AHE; 17th September 2017 at 09:00.. Reason: xxx

19th September 2017, 07:08	#10
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	This was mine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frEh2UsTJko __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

16th September 2017, 14:41	#2
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Sudden smoke from the exhaust is a typical sign. But it's usually bluey-grey from oil getting into the hot pipe. Turbochargers fail through lack of lubrication and/or cooling. Have you any reason to believe the oil or coolant supply is poor?

16th September 2017, 18:45	#4
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Are you sure the exhaust is producing white smoke as distinct from a lot of steam? Smoke persists in the air, while steam evaporates and disappears very quickly this time of year. A coolant leak into the combustion chambers produces a white (steamy) exhaust, particularly on cold startup. Typically, inlet manifold gasket failure does it. TC

16th September 2017, 19:23	#5
P3AHE Regular poster MG ZT 1.8 Turbo & MG TF Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tonypandy Posts: 99 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Can smell the oil in smoke and it's not steam. Travelled for 15 miles and it was fairly consistant but at times large plumes of white smoke. Very embarrassing when stuck in traffic in a town centre. Did stop twice to allow a cooling down period & topped up oil. I'm convinced it's the Turbo because there has been no coolant loss.

16th September 2017, 21:48	#6
Grumble and Grouch Regular poster MGZTT Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Coventry Posts: 82 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	There's a thread about fitting a cartridge very recently as mines just gone, new turbos are bleeding expensive. If you're confident the cartridge seems a decent option and the mellett ones seem well thought of. I'm useless mechanically so I've gone for a recon unit. Initial symptom was some white smoke, seeming to improve when warmed up so I thought it might be the inlet manifold gasket but rapidly deteriorated and was oil residue in the exhaust.

16th September 2017, 23:58	#7
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Remove the wide bore hose on the turbo intake. That exposes the compressor turbine and the spindle everything depends on. See if there's any slop in the spindle. You can waggle the end with your fingers. The slightest slop means the bearings have failed. Easy to replace the CHRA for £100-£150 or so. Mellett is a good brand but the cheaper units from China are just as good, but no warranty. A reconditioned turbocharger complete will set you back £180-£250. A new Garrett from Rimmer is double that. TC

18th September 2017, 21:27	#8
moorhouse.family Regular poster Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hope Valley Posts: 33 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	I'd check the pipes from the turbo intercooler first before I assume it's a thousand pound turbo that rarely fail.

19th September 2017, 07:05	#9
P3AHE Regular poster MG ZT 1.8 Turbo & MG TF Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tonypandy Posts: 99 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Is there a How To for access to Turbo and taking off to examine , repair or replace? Have been offered a Recon Turbo and this may be the quickest method of getting car back on road. 2 year warranty with recon unit. Not able to carry out repairs myself , so possible labour savings on fitting a new CHRA. Can't carry out repairs myself because of access. It would need to be done on side of a very busy side street plus I live on a hill! No garages locally interested in carrying out this sort of work. In fact found nobody interested in changing the clutches on both my TF or ZT.