Member Since: 30 Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 7
Can misfuelling kill the turbo?
Someone misfuelled my 2005 160,000m disco. Not realising drove for 3 miles before engine light all came on in fast lane and pulled over safely, which was lucky. Had recovery home and AA fuel assist later that day, who drained it, flushed lines, put an additive in(?) and told me to half fill and drive to empty tank then refill to max. This seemed to work, two weeks ago. Have done about 1800 miles to Wales and back since then. This makes me think it survived the misfuelling - am I wrong?
Last week, put my foot down and something went wrong. Can only rev to 2000 or so revs, and at that lots of white smoke. Felt brave having read forums so went to blank off the EGR valves - already been done sometime in the past. Ive owned it for three and a half years now. Can't see any hose problems from a relatively brief and amateur inspection. With engine running there does seem to be some white smoke coming up from behind where the battery side egr valve is, but I can't be sure exactly where. Lots of white smoke if driven.
Now in a local garage that has an ex land rover dealer technician. They say the turbo has gone, and needs a new one. Quoted £1560. They've said that the turbo is full of oil, and that means clearly a new turbo. Is this the case? Could it be anything else?
Much appreciate any help on this. Im tempted to bring the car home and check it over, pipes and hoses, intercooler maybe, for leaks before having turbo changed.
If this was a misfuelling issue, my insurance would cover it. Need to tell them tomorrow that the garage don't think it is a misfuelling issue, just an expired turbo. Any help would be greatly appreciated, or pointers in the right direction,
Thanks
Jerry
4th Jul 2016 9:33 pm
Jerry Brook
Member Since: 30 Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 7
Should've entitled that "Has misfuelling killed my turbo"
4th Jul 2016 10:30 pm
WillyEckerslike
Member Since: 22 Aug 2013
Location: Out in the world
Posts: 967
Conceivable, but unlikely I reckon. If enough petrol had been injected into the cylinders without burning, and then seeped past the rings, diluting the oil, and reducing the lubrication to the turbo.....or the petrol has actually burned, giving higher exhaust gas temperatures, that might cook a turbo. If it is full of oil like they say, then an internal seal has gone. I would say coincidence personally. If it's blowing white smoke, then it's fuelling related.
Generally with a misfuel, the HPFP dies. If it were me, I'd probably get it taken to a good LR independent and get them to have a good look. It doesn't just sound like a turbo to me.
4th Jul 2016 10:49 pm
Jerry Brook
Member Since: 30 Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 7
Many thanks! Ive got the feeling they're going for an easy answer - change turbo - and will come back afterwards with "it needed a turbo but also needs..." what it really needed in the first place!
4th Jul 2016 11:04 pm
MGCarr
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
+1 for misfuelling killing the HPFP rather than the turbo, the white smoke may still be fuel pump related if it is delivering fuel at too low a pressure to be atomised enough to burn properly but a good diagnostic tool should show fuel pressure fault codes or live readings.
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
4th Jul 2016 11:25 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I reckon you have an injector issue and the misfuel caused it, its just taken a little while for the thing to fail.
Does the exhaust smell diesely?
Oil in intercooler pipework is quite normal (so long as not puddles of the stuff) as the car has a closed crankcase breather system so all the crankcase oil vapour goes into the inlet before the turbo cold side and collects in any low part in the system when engine is off.
5th Jul 2016 5:42 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
A mis fuel on Merc is upwards of 7 k so don't do via insurance as it will be a total loss
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