Diesel EngineTurbochargers Need TLC

Cummins C Model Diesel Engine Turbocharger

The turbo on a diesel engine is an amazing piece of equipment that puts out thousands of rpms and gives us the boost we need to get into that perfect torque curve we need to power up a grade. You will know right away when the turbocharger is faulty. Without that charge air flowing into the intake the ratio between air and fuel will go south and heavy plumes of exhaust will pump out of your tail pipe getting some unexpected onlookers staring you down along with a huge loss of power.

This Holset Model pictured here comes with  a waste gate (the round housing top left). A boost line is connected to a diaphragm and when the pressure hits a pre-calibrated level the excess boost pressure is exhausted out at around 20 psi or higher. The compressor wheel seen here as well is driven by the exhaust turbine wheel on the opposite side, so it's a self driven unit.

This is pure genius and gives the engine the extra air intake volume to keep up with the fuel injection system. Both the compressor and turbine wheels should be checked periodically for wear on the shaft and if there is any scuffing on the turbo housing caused the blades making contact. You don't want one of these guys blowing up and debris getting into the intake.