Why does the supercharger leak oil?

After a long period of operation, vehicles will consume more or less oil, but "excessive" oil consumption can cause serious engine damage. The turbocharger oil leakage is one of the first causes of "excessive" oil consumption. So why do turbochargers leak oil?

Cause 1: Insufficient lubrication causes supercharger failure

When the turbocharger is running at high speed, the role of the oil is to establish an oil film between the rotor shaft and the casing, so as to achieve the role of lubrication and heat dissipation.

When a diesel engine is operating normally, the turbocharger operates at high speeds and temperatures. If the engine suddenly shuts down, the oil pump will stop working directly, while the turbocharger undergoes a gradual deceleration process. This can lead to semi-dry friction between the intermediate housing and the rotor shaft, which significantly increases the risk of early wear on the turbocharger. Consequently, the rotor shaft and oil seals can be damaged, resulting in oil leakage from the turbocharger.

Reason 2: Unclean oil wears out the supercharger

Additionally, if the density of impurities in the engine oil is too high, the presence of hard particles can cause scratches on the housing and sealing rings, leading to early damage to the turbocharger.

If the rotor shaft and oil seals experience early wear, the high-speed rotating turbocharger can directly carry oil out of the housing, and it may even enter the engine through the intake system, participating in the combustion process.

Cause 3: Excessive intake and exhaust resistance leading to oil leakage

If there is excessive intake or exhaust resistance in the engine, it can cause a momentary vacuum to form between the compressor and the turbocharger housing. If there are early signs of wear on the oil seals, the engine oil can be easily "drawn in" towards the compressor (intake side), bypassing the intercooler system and entering directly into the engine.

In general, oil leakage from a turbocharger can be detected through observation. However, if the turbocharger experiences severe oil leakage, it can result in the direct loss of a significant amount of engine oil. In severe situations, this can lead to engine problems such as cylinder misfiring, damaged camshafts, and bearing seizures.

In our daily vehicle maintenance and usage, many minor issues can be thoroughly resolved through regular inspections and maintenance. However, many people neglect some aspects, resulting in unnecessary losses.