Turbocharged diesel engines produce an immense amount of torque. This pair makes them excellent for towing, which is why they are so often used in hauling and heavy hauling. However, whether you have a Volkswagen TDI or a Ford SuperDuty Turbodiesel, the turbodiesel is something you need to know about. It can catastrophically destroy a diesel engine and can be dangerous or even fatal.
What causes diesel leakage?
There are several factors that can contribute to turbo leak in a diesel, and many of them can be prevented with routine maintenance.
A major contributor to turbodiesel leakage is a leaking turbocharger or turbo seal. When this happens, engine oil passes through the turbo and enters the combustion chamber in an uncontrolled manner. As such, the driver no longer controls the amount of fuel entering the engine, as it is now burning the escaping oil.
Another cause of diesel leakage is a leaking fuel injector. Just like a leaking turbocharger, a leaking diesel fuel injector allows oil to slip past the injector seals. Similarly, the engine can now burn engine oil instead of just diesel fuel. Unfortunately, there is no way to close it.
This means that the engine cannot be turned off simply by turning the key off, as it is now burning a fuel that is not controlled by the fuel pump system. It will keep running, spinning faster and faster until it crashes catastrophically.
Can you stop a leaking turbo diesel?
Unfortunately, there aren’t many ways to effectively stop a turbodiesel leak. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, you can put it in gear and try to stop the engine mechanically. This, of course, will probably ruin the transmission, but it may be less dangerous than letting the engine go to pieces.
Another way is to cut off the air going to the combustion chamber. Do this only if you have easy access to the intake hose. Of course, you don’t want to be near the engine when it revs out of control. But if you have an aftermarket outlet with open access to the air hose, you can try to block the airflow and choke the engine.
Finally, many modern turbos have an anti-shake valve, or ASV. This is an electronically controlled flap that opens when the key is turned on. As such, it automatically turns off when the key is turned off. If your vehicle has an ASV, lock it by simply turning the key off. This will choke the engine and stop the turbo diesel from escaping.
Regular maintenance can prevent engine failure
Like any vehicle malfunction, not all turbo leak conditions can be prevented. Sometimes faulty components or freak incidents can cause a leak, even with a well-maintained engine.
However, keeping up with oil changes and diesel additives can help keep your turbo and fuel systems in top condition. By maintaining proper lubrication for your injectors, turbos, and internal engine parts, you can avoid the types of diesel leaks described by CarThrottle.
