driving with a knackered turbo

[flatyre]

Hey folks there is a t4 transporter for sale about fifty miles from my house, owner says the turbo is gone, so probably runs like crap, but how much damage would it do if I drove it home. I don't have any more info on the turbo at present but will try to find out more. Thanks.

[Rickyy]

If the oil seals fail and leak into the turbo, you run the risk of the engine "running away". Which is basically using the engine oil as fuel and running at high speed until it seizes.

[BuzzBravado]

Depends how knackered. If the oil seals no longer hold in the oil then you will lose oil pressure pretty quick.

[flatyre]

thanks guys, i'll try to find out more about the turbo.

[cirian75]

A diesel can with a blown turbo oil seals can consume its own oil as fuel which makes for a fun thing to watch


runaway diesel engines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZrl4YiCcRc

[ecsrobin]

cirian75 said:

A diesel can with a blown turbo oil seals can consume its own oil as fuel which makes for a fun thing to watch


runaway diesel engines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZrl4YiCcRc

That forklift truck

[DKS]

Don't modern diesels have a butterfly in the inlet that shuts when you switch off to prevent run-on? I've seen one in a 2008 Freelander (of course stuck closed to prevent it starting!) and it looks like my 2004 Corsa has one.
What age is it?

[BuzzBravado]

DKS said:

Don't modern diesels have a butterfly in the inlet that shuts when you switch off to prevent run-on? I've seen one in a 2008 Freelander (of course stuck closed to prevent it starting!) and it looks like my 2004 Corsa has one.
What age is it?

Yes, as far as i know its only the old stuff that didn't have a throttle body, hence the ability run on.

[hman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbcN6EYVs1E


his relief when it stops will be short lived until the repair bill comes in .

In short - don drive a car with a knackered turbo, apart from the oil seals - if the impeller hits the casing of the turbo then it'll wreck the turbo unit and send metal filings into the intake manifold via the intercooler.


Just tow it.

[Chicane-UK]

For the potential damage you might cause to the engine, and given the relatively low price, worth just arranging a low loader to come transport it for you?

[ZiggyNiva]

BuzzBravado said:

DKS said:

Don't modern diesels have a butterfly in the inlet that shuts when you switch off to prevent run-on? I've seen one in a 2008 Freelander (of course stuck closed to prevent it starting!) and it looks like my 2004 Corsa has one.
What age is it?

Yes, as far as i know its only the old stuff that didn't have a throttle body, hence the ability run on.

I thought this too, but some of the compilations on youtube show X5's and mk5 Golfs etc etc

[hman]

pretty sure with modern direct injection engines the ecu just stops telling the injectors to inject - rather than the old method of a shut off flap.

So on a modern engine you are more susceptible to runaway because the oil can still be sucked through the intake.