BTN Turbo always has useful and up to date technical advice to minimise the risk, providing simple procedure in the form of critical instructions which are available from the vehicle alert section on the BTN Turbo website.
BTN Turbo suggest talking to the customer, ask what sort of journeys they usually take, if it’s mostly stop-start driving, then the DPF might not be regenerating fully.
This can quickly degrade the oil, so advise them to have their oil and filter changed, and engine flushed, before the recommended service intervals.
Service history
“Poor servicing or skipping recommended services means the oil is more likely to be degraded, putting the turbo at risk.
“The wrong grade of oil; not following the exact requirements for oil changes; exhaust gas or fuel contaminating the oil due to loose sealing washers or supply pipe nuts – they’re all potential turbo killers,” explained a spokesman for BTN Turbo.
Oil flushing
The engine needs at least two oil flushing cycles to remove contaminants that could block the system.
The first cycle may just soften the deposits, allowing them to work loose later.
“Check the drained oil for cleanliness and measure the oil pressure with a gauge in the turbo supply line.
“It should be at least 1.3 bar at cranking speed, with the fuel injectors and turbo actuator vacuum pipe disconnected,” continued the spokesman.
Also check for variations between oil pressure at the filter inlet and in the turbo supply line.
With the injectors reconnected, run the engine for five minutes and watch the two readings.
If the oil pressure at the turbo isn’t within ± 0.4 bar of the filter inlet, you’ll need to investigate and remedy the problem.
Then check the oil pressure again with the engine warm, it should range from 1.2 bar at 1,000rpm, to 2.9 at 4,000rpm.
If a component might harbour deposits that could find their way back into the system, clean it. If in doubt, replace it.
This includes the dipstick (if it’s the yellow plastic version), the oil supply connector and sealing washers, and the oil supply and return pipes.
BTN Turbo supplies oil feed pipes for several turbo installations, including the PSA turbo.
For further information about BTN Turbo, call 01895 466666 or click “more details” below.