Troubleshooting

Please Click your symptom from the list and find out for possible solutions.

Click here for Consolidated Trouble Shooting Guide.

Engine lacks power

Possible Problems
Solutions
Clogged air filter element Replace elements according to engine manufacturers recommendations
Obstructed air outlet duct from compressor to intake manifold Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Air leak in duct from compressor to intake manifold Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
Air leak at intake manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufacturers manual and remove obstruction
Obstruction in muffler or exhaust stack Remove obstruction or replace faulty components as required
Gas leak in exhaust manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Gas leak in turbine inlet to exhaust manifold joint Replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Fuel injection pump or fuel injectors incorrectly adjusted Refer to engine manufacturers manual - replace or adjust faulty component(s) as required
Engine camshaft timing incorrect Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace worn parts
Worn engine piston rings or liners (blowby) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Black exhaust smoke

Possible Problems
Solutions
Clogged air filter element Replace elements according to engine manufacturers recommendations
Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Obstructed air outlet duct from compressor to intake manifold Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Air leak in duct from compressor to intake manifold Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
Air leak at intake manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufacturers manual and remove obstruction
Obstruction in muffler or exhaust stack Remove obstruction or replace faulty components as required
Gas leak in exhaust manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Gas leak in turbine inlet to exhaust manifold joint Replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Fuel injection pump or fuel injectors incorrectly adjusted Refer to engine manufacturers manual - replace or adjust faulty component(s) as required
Engine camshaft timing incorrect Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace worn parts
Worn engine piston rings or liners (blowby) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Excessive engine oil usage

Possible Problems
Solutions
Clogged air filter element Replace elements according to engine manufacturers recommendations
Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Air leak in duct from compressor to intake manifold Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
Air leak at intake manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufacturers manual and remove obstruction
Obstructed turbocharger oil drain line Remove obstruction or replace line as required
Obstructed engine crankcase vent Refer to engine manufacturers manual, clear obstruction
Turbocharger center housing sludged or coked Change engine oil and oil filter, overhaul or replace turbo as required
Worn engine piston rings or liners (blowby) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Blue exhaust smoke

Possible Problems
Solutions
Clogged air filter element Replace elements according to engine manufacturers recommendations
Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Air leak in duct from compressor to intake manifold Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
Air leak at intake manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufacturers manual and remove obstruction
Obstructed turbocharger oil drain line Remove obstruction or replace line as required
Obstructed engine crankcase vent Refer to engine manufacturers manual, clear obstruction
Turbocharger center housing sludged or coked Change engine oil and oil filter, overhaul or replace turbo as required
Worn engine piston rings or liners (blowby) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Turbocharger noisy

Possible Problems
Solutions
Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Obstructed air outlet duct from compressor to intake manifold Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Air leak in duct from air cleaner to compressor Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
Air leak in duct from compressor to intake manifold Correct leak by replacing seals or tightening fasteners as required
Air leak at intake manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufacturers manual and remove obstruction
Gas leak in exhaust manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Gas leak in turbine inlet to exhaust manifold joint Replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Gas leak in ducting after the turbine outlet Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair leak
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Cyclic sound from turbo

Possible Problems
Solutions
Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Oil leak from compressor seal

Possible Problems
Solutions
Clogged air filter element Replace elements according to engine manufacturers recommendations
Obstructed air intake duct to turbo compressor Remove obstruction or replace damaged parts as required
Obstruction in exhaust manifold Refer to engine manufacturers manual and remove obstruction
Obstruction in muffler or exhaust stack Remove obstruction or replace faulty components as required
Gas leak in exhaust manifold to engine joint Refer to engine manufacturers manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Gas leak in turbine inlet to exhaust manifold joint Replace gaskets or tighten fasteners as required
Obstructed turbocharger oil drain line Remove obstruction or replace line as required
Obstructed engine crankcase vent Refer to engine manufacturers manual, clear obstruction
Turbocharger center housing sludged or coked Change engine oil and oil filter, overhaul or replace turbo as required
Worn engine piston rings or liners (blowby) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required

Oil leak from turbine seal

Possible Problems
Solutions
Obstructed turbocharger oil drain line Remove obstruction or replace line as required
Obstructed engine crankcase vent Refer to engine manufacturers manual, clear obstruction
Turbocharger center housing sludged or coked Change engine oil and oil filter, overhaul or replace turbo as required
Worn engine piston rings or liners (blowby) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Internal engine problem (valves, pistons) Refer to engine manufacturers manual and repair engine as required
Dirt caked on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes Clean using a Non-Caustic cleaner and soft brush. Find and correct source of unfiltered air and change engine oil and oil filter
Damaged turbocharger Analyze failed turbocharger, find and correct cause of failure, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required