Hi All,
Just replaced the whole starboard turbocharger on the Volvo Penta TAMD74P-B diesel. Upon sea trial we noticed the port turbo was lagging behind the new SB turbo a tad so the tech said it probably needs to be cleaned. I asked what that entailed and he answered that it needed to be removed and taken to the shop but, I thought I read an article about a product that can be used to clean a turbo without removal. Anyone have any knowledge on this and/or any suggestions and advice?
"tanks",
Divergirl
Howdy,
Welcome aboard!
Cleaning a turbo can mean many things. VGT (variable geometry) turbos can can be "sooted" up in the area where the individual vanes are actuated by a single plate type unison ring. The (usually stainless steel) unison ring will be sliding on the cast iron housing which can be rusty and covered with soot making it stick. That in turn makes the vanes stick in a position that reduces boost considerably (or results in overboost.......it's a real problem with the 2003-2010 Ford (IHI) Powerstroke diesels)
Your engine as near as I can tell does NOT have a Variable Geometry Turbocharger. It does appear to have a waste gate. (for controlling boost by venting either some exhaust past the turbo or venting actual boost pressure to limit maximum boost) If the waste gate is stuck OPEN, or is not closing, it will limit boost.
I thought I read an article about a product that can be used to clean a turbo without removal
There's really not much to a "regular" turbo. 1 moving part usually, turbine and compressor "wheels" spinning(very fast) on a common shaft supported by 2 bearings.
There's sometimes additional moving parts in either the wastegate or VGT system (if installed) . Those are usually operated by electric, oil or air pressure servo's
All that additional stuff can make them more complicated and there's more "stuff" to "break"
If the waste gate is sticking due to rust or soot, (and causing a loss of boost) it will have to be disassembled and the rust and/or soot removed and reassembled to fix it. Unfortunately, there is no mechanic in a can for most things.
And, after they get it apart, they may find they still want to replace the turbo....
Sorry about that,
Rick