Nissan Navara Turbo Failure Symptoms and Ways to Fix This

A Nissan Navara is an all-capable car and an evolutionary leap in premium all-terrain pickup standards in its calls. In one package that honors eighty-five years of proven LCV heritage, Navara comes with unprecedented levels of dynamic styling and luxury interior comfort that guarantees a smooth ride on the most unforgiving terrains.

Turbo problems highlights

• Level of importance:Medium
• Commonreasons:Mileage, age, poor lubrication, internal damage, aggressive use
• DIY inspection:Possible but may be complicated
• DIY repair:Sometimes, possible
• Price for repair:$350 - $800
• Can you drive?In most cases, yes
• Ways to fix:Replace the parts thatare diagnosedto be faulty

How Does a Nissan Navara Turbocharger Work?

To produce the much-needed power and torque, the engine combines fuel and air in a calibrated ratio. The Nissan Navara turbo then pumps more air into the mixture using the exhaust to spin the compressor (air pump).

The compressor pushes the extra air into the engine cylinders allowing for more fuel combustion per second. This leads to more power (explosion) in a turbocharged engine compared to a normally-aspirated unit.

Turbos are designed to run at incredibly high speeds. This means that they are exposed to high temperatures under enormous pressures. This necessitates the cooling system, which is then paired to the turbocharger to cool the hot air and lubrication oil.  

Nissan Navara Turbo Failure Symptoms

1) Power Loss

One aspect that sets a Nissan Navara above its competitors is power. A turbocharger's sole function is to boost the engine's power to generate maximum speeds. A sudden change in the power output of this car is a clear indication that your turbo is malfunctioning. 

Moreover, whenever your turbocharged Navara struggles to maintain its top speeds or even fails to hit the speeds could be a warning that the turbo is failing. The primary causes of a malfunctioning turbo include the following;

• Oil leakages
• Worn-out bearings
• Damaged compressors
• Damaged turbine blades
• Huge carbon deposits
• Overheating of the turbo

2) Whining Engine

One of the unnoticed benefits of a turbocharger is that it acts as "soundproof, " making your Navara engine quieter. This is because it muffles the sound of the air engine thanks to its sophisticated technology. 

However, a sudden change in the engine's sound accompanied by a loud whining noise, more of a police siren, or a dentist's drill could be a potential sign of a jammed turbo.

When the state of the turbo continues to worsen, the noise gets louder. Therefore, timely measures must be undertaken before the damages escalate beyond repair.

3) Exhaust Smoke

A Nissan Navara is like a living organism. Don't get me wrong. I am not trying to sell you a modern error perspective on cars. Neither am I referring to the hyped idea of Robert M Pirsig's Zen and the Virtuosity of Motorcycle Maintenance. What I mean is this:

With a keen eye, you can tell what is wrong with your vehicle's turbo by observing the signals it throws. One of these signals is the exhaust smoke. Very few Navara owners pay attention to this because it "merely" contributes to the ageing of their car. 

However, it is an outright danger as far as the working of a turbocharger is concerned. Simply put, a 'healthy' Navara exhaust smoke should be mostly white or translucent.  

When oil leaks into the exhaust system, it produces unique blue/grey fumes as it burns off. This occurs mainly due to a cracked turbo casing or damaged internal seals. With a failed turbo, you will likely observe the discolored smoke as the engine revs increase shortly after idling.

4) Check Engine Dashboard lights

The computer diagnostic on your Nissan Navara can pick up turbo faults prompting the check engine light to appear on the dashboard to notify you. However, one critical aspect is that this notification doesn't solely indicate a turbo failure. Therefore, a professional mechanic must perform further checks to diagnose the precise nature of the engine issue.

What Causes Nissan Navara Turbo Failure?

Turbos are among the most reliable car components. Very few warranty inspections establish a fault with the turbo itself. Instead, malfunctioning turbochargers due to external factors such as engine lubrication problems and foreign objects get their way into the system. Here are the causes of turbo failures in detail.

1) Oil/Lubrication

Engine oil is the "circulatory system" of your car. Its main functions include lubricating key moving parts, cooling them, and protecting them from corrosion. When it comes to a turbocharger, a constant flow of clean and high-quality oil is required. 

Any signs of oil starvation or poor-grade oils lead to oil contamination. This is the primary cause of abrasive damage to the interior parts of the turbo. This issue can be best fixed by religiously replacing the engine oil and oil filters based on the manufacturer's recommended intervals.

2) Damaged Seals

A worn-out or cracked seal between the engine and the compressor leaks oil into the exhaust system. This forces the turbo to overcome its quest to increase the pressure. This is what we call over-speeding. With time, it reduces the boost and efficiency delivered by the turbo.

3) Foreign Objects

Two fundamental components comprise the turbo; the compressor at the front and the turbine at the back. Occasionally, dust particles get to the turbo through the compressor or turbine inlet. Two aspects are worth noting here; if the dust particles damage the turbine, the problem is in the engine itself. 

On the other hand, if the foreign deposits get their way into the compressor, their source is the air filter. The dust particles reduce the efficiency of the turbo by destroying its main parts, such as the turbine blades and compressor wheels.

4) Wear and Tear

Like any other machine, the turbo is prone to wearing out based on two pivotal factors; the original build quality and how hard you push the turbo car. This is despite the 150 000 miles designed for a quality turbo.

How do we Fix the Turbo Failures?

Any suspicion regarding turbo failure should be a wake-up call to have your Nissan Navara checked by a certified mechanic. Let them diagnose your car accurately and provide appropriate recommendations on what needs to be repaired or replaced. Let's dive into some of the ways to fix the turbo failures.

1) Turbo Inspection

Once you are confident that your turbo shows some of the symptoms we have discussed above, allow a professional mechanic to inspect your turbo. The turbo will be checked for potential oil leaks and the working conditions of the turbine, wastegate, and compressor wheels.

2) Turbo Repair or Replacement

Depending on the condition of your turbo, the mechanic will then recommend whether to repair your turbo or replace it with a new one. In some cases, the mechanic may recommend rebuilding your turbo, which is cheaper than a new one.

3) Tackling the Underlying Issues

Other underlying issues, such as exhaust system blockage, oil supply problems, and poor cooling system, are the root causes of turbo failure. With these issues fixed, the long-term solution to future turbo failure is guaranteed.

4) Regular Maintenance  

If you want your turbocharger to save you seamlessly, service it religiously. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations when it comes to service intervals. Moreover, never compromise on oil quality. Check for oil leaks and any abnormalities during your routine inspections.

Final thoughts

A well-serviced turbo will serve you for over 150,000 miles. But it is essential to consider any symptoms of turbo failure. 

Save yourself from the costly repairs of your Navara turbo by timely addressing these issues. Your car communicates to your whenever any components, especially the turbocharger, malfunction. 

Pay attention to the whining noise, exhaust smoke, the check engine dashboard lights, and power loss. If any of these signs appear familiar to you, conduct a turbo inspection, let it be repaired or replaced depending on its condition, and, most importantly, service your turbo consistently.