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How to eliminate turbo lag on a diesel. What is a turbo lag and why does it occur

Few novice car enthusiasts who got their license and purchased a vehicle just a few months ago can guess the number of malfunctions that can overtake their car. It's no secret that even experienced car owners have never come across such a thing as a turbo lag. In fact, this definition refers to an undesirable phenomenon, as a result of which the car cannot provide normal boost pressure (most often exhaust gases) going to the turbine blades. It is this circumstance that affects the operation of the rotor, which, in the presence of a turbo lag, does not spin at full strength.

A lot of people are facing the problem of turbo lag.

The owners of vehicles faced with such a problem note the need for preliminary waiting before the previous trip. The driver needs a few minutes to walk along the "snail" (system exhaust pipes, through which the compressed gases go to the rotor), the pressure of the gases has increased to a certain level. At the moment of manifestation, the turbo-jam forces power unit, which is preparing to operate normally through a turbocharger, to function as a simple diesel-aspirated. In view of what the engine is capable of delivering much less power, and the driver is deprived of the opportunity to accelerate sharply, while increasing speed.

The reasons due to which a turbo lag appears in the power unit

The described problem, of course, should not be, but if it does happen, then any car owner should know. Both car service masters and car owners themselves can get rid of an undesirable phenomenon. As practice shows, by and large, new automobile diesel engines equipped with a turbine are subject to such weaknesses. It is because of it that a turbo lag occurs on high-speed units using a turbo accelerator. The turbine mounted on the engine helps to neutralize the flammable properties, which, unlike gasoline counterparts, take much longer.

It should be noted that the turbo lag does not appear out of nowhere, it is preceded by changes that occur in the mode of operation of the diesel power unit.

However, one should not assume that, having personal car device with, the car owner is forever protected from such problems. The reality is that foreign automakers every year are trying to release more and more powerful and productive vehicles that would be very popular. The pursuit of fashion and the return of the engine gave car owners gasoline engines with a turbine accelerator. It is these units, as practice shows, that are prone to the appearance of a turbo lag.

The problem lies in a sharp change in the mode of operation of the motor. Among the “lucky ones” who have caught a turbo lag, most likely there will be drivers who abruptly change a quiet ride to an enhanced one, and, conversely, an intensive mode of a trip changes abruptly to a slow one. During such jumps, the turbine begins to “slow down”, because it needs time (fractions of seconds can increase several times). At the moment of “thoughtfulness” of the turbine, the pressure of the exhaust gases accumulates in the chamber, which will be spent on a sharp spin of the rotor impeller.

Tips from automakers to get rid of turbo lag

Many foreign automakers are trying to do everything possible to improve their vehicles and prevent turbo lag from showing up on diesel. First of all, developers are introducing "snail" systems that have a different cross section. As practice shows, this decision is not without common sense and it helps to deal with turbo lags.

Turboyama is a natural phenomenon, it is difficult to prevent it. Today, a lot of auto design bureaus are trying to resist such a manifestation, spending a lot of effort and money to minimize and get rid of an undesirable circumstance. As practice shows, the turbo lag interferes with the driving of mostly more experienced drivers who “feel” their car well and cannot calmly relate to the noticeable braking of their iron horse. At the time of the manifestation of the turbo lag, the car seems to freeze for a split second. Experts compare the behavior of the car at such a moment with a “hanging” PC.

A specially organized distribution of pressure supply to the rotor, more precisely to its impeller, by means of not one, but several “snails”, which are different in size, helps to get rid of the turbo lag on a diesel engine. The essence of the idea is that a different section of the pipes that make up the gas supply system alternately “works” with. It is important that the system assembled from several different "snails" provides a fairly wide range of correct operation of the engine and its components.

Those who want to understand the details will be interested in the principle of operation of such a pipe complex. The fact is that when working at low speeds, only the “snail” that has the smallest diameter is included in the work with the motor (it is she who can consume the least amount of gas due to its small volume in total). As soon as the driver increased the speed on the diesel engine, a "snail" of a larger diameter begins to turn on. This process is repeated several times, the “snails” switch in ascending order.

True, in most modern machines there is not a limited number of "snails", but only a paired complex of two pipes of different sizes. If the car will not be a racer in the future, this number of pipes will be enough for it to avoid such an unpleasant moment as a turbo lag. However, one should not hope for a complete elimination of a side effect, since in critical driving conditions the diesel power unit is able to spin up to its full potential.

Manifestation of an undesirable phenomenon

As mentioned above, such a phenomenon as a turbo lag may be familiar not only to owners of vehicles with a diesel engine, but motorists who have a turbocharged gasoline engine often encounter it. Recently, the developers of Japanese and Italian automakers (in particular, Subaru, Mazda, Fiat) have "connected" to the fight against the problem of turbos. In practice, Italian manufacturers oppose such negative phenomenon using different blowers.

In fact, a power unit that runs on gasoline is not capable, in principle, of producing as much exhaust gases at the time of combustion as it does diesel engine, which is why it is several times more difficult to get a sharp spin of the rotor impeller. Most likely, in the near future, new approaches, regularly implemented by designers of automakers, will be able to create superchargers that will depend not only on the amount of exhaust gases.

Conclusion

A specially organized radiator layout helps to cope with the turbo lag, with its help, sports cars operating at high speeds do not experience any noticeable delays at the time of acceleration. Anyone who wants to get rid of the manifestations of turbo lag can use a special radiator layout that can be found on most sports cars (V-Mount system). In such a complex, the radiator is in a non-standard position (at an angle), due to which the incoming air flow only partially goes to cool the motor. The remaining 75 percent spins the turbine, creating excessive pressure on the impeller of the turbocharged accelerator rotor.

Turbo lag is an expression of sensations while driving a car or something that gives low engine efficiency at too low turbine speeds. The effect of turbo lag appears only on those cars whose engines are equipped with turbines.

When more fuel is supplied, the power becomes greater. But if you increase only the fuel supply, the effect of its partial combustion may appear, which, on the contrary, will affect the drop in engine power. In this case, there will be too little oxygen for complete combustion of the entire amount of fuel. Just for these purposes, a turbocharger was invented, with the help of which even more air from the atmosphere is added to an additional portion of fuel.

The classic turbine is presented in the form of two impellers mounted on a common shaft, but located in separate chambers, hermetically removed from each other. One of the impellers rotates under the influence of the exhaust gases of the engine entering it. Since the second impeller is closely connected with it, it also begins to rotate, while capturing fresh air and supplying this air to the cylinders of the unit.

turbo lag effect

Due to the small amount of exhaust gases, the turbine is able to spin up at more than 150,000 rpm, that is, the more exhaust gases are supplied to the turbine impeller, the higher its speed becomes, therefore, it pumps more fresh air. In order to reduce the set of turbine revolutions, a bypass valve can be installed, which will relieve part of the exhaust gas pressure, thereby saving the engine from "spacing". However, there is one very serious drawback here. As in any other car, the driver always expects acceleration every time you press the gas pedal.

The following happens:

The car moves at a fairly low speed and its motor also works with not too much high turnover crankshaft. On the way, it may be necessary to overtake the vehicle in front, and the driver presses the accelerator pedal too hard, but nothing happens. This, one might say, is a turbo lag - that is, a delay in power and an increase in engine speed during a sharp press on the gas pedal.

After pressing, fuel will be supplied to the cylinders, which must be burned, and only then the exhaust gases will flow to the turbine impeller. RPMs build up, the turbine pumps more air into the engine cylinders, and the expected acceleration is achieved, which allows for overtaking. But another car may suddenly appear in the oncoming lane, overtaking in this case will have to be postponed.

Get rid of the turbo lag

Engineers were able to solve this problem with turbo lags by using a variable geometry turbine or using a mechanical turbine, as well as a second compressor that accumulates air if the car accelerates sharply.

If we operate with simple concepts that are understandable to an ordinary motorist, then a turbo lag is a phenomenon when the boost pressure (usually exhaust gases) supplied to the engine turbine blades is not enough to spin the rotor at full force.

It takes some time until the gas pressure in the so-called "snail" (this is the system of exhaust pipes through which compressed gases enter the rotor impeller) increases to the required rate.

All this time (usually a few seconds, which the turbo lag lasts), the engine, which is provided for regular operation with the help of a turbocharger, operates in the mode of a conventional diesel-aspirated engine. That is, it produces an order of magnitude less power, and does not make it possible to accelerate sharply by increasing power.

Reasons for the appearance of a turbo lag

Particular attention is paid to modern turbocharged diesel engines.

Particularly susceptible to such an undesirable phenomenon as a turbo lag are modern automobile diesel engines, on which the turbine was originally provided in order to neutralize the later (compared to gasoline) flammable properties.

And it is precisely on diesel engines that it is possible to design high-speed ones, exclusively with the use of a turbo accelerator, and such a phenomenon as a turbo lag is observed.

When the engine operating mode is changed, the likelihood of a turbo lag increases.

True, modern automobile concerns have different approaches. There are a huge number of manufacturers producing turbocharged gasoline engines. And by the way, they are also not protected from turbo lag, since the problem is still the same.

With a sharp change in the engine operating mode, from quiet to enhanced, intensive mode, the turbine takes time (from fractions of a second to several). This is necessary so that in the chamber and exhaust system accumulated exhaust gas pressure. So that it (pressure) would reach the point where gases can sharply spin the rotor impeller.

How manufacturers are trying to get rid of the turbo lag

The system of "snails" with different cross-sections is one of the options for dealing with the turbo lag. In general, auto design bureaus around the world spend an incredible amount of effort to get rid of this undesirable, especially for experienced drivers, phenomenon. After all, the car seems to slow down before a jerk for a split second (if a diesel engine, then more) in the manner of a “hanging” computer.

And each manufacturer has its own, special method of fighting, eradicating such a phenomenon as a turbo lag during engine operation. In recent years, quite real and effective method became the so-called method of dividing the supply of pressure to the impeller using two or more "snails" of different sizes.

The idea is that due to the different cross-section of the pipes (snails) that make up the gas supply system, from the manifold to the turbine, they are “built in” into the operation of the diesel engine in turn.

The snail complex provides a wide range of normal operation.

At low speeds, a “snail” of a smaller diameter operates, which needs less gas due to the small total volume. Slightly increased the diesel speed - a thicker “snail” comes into play. Then another one, and so on in ascending order.

Although usually, in the vast majority of cases, they try to use the layout of a turbocharged diesel engine with two “snails”. Usually (if the car is not being prepared for sports racing), the range of a paired multi-caliber “snail” is quite enough to ensure that such a phenomenon as a turbo lag in the operation of the engine is not observed.

Unless, in the most critical driving modes, when the diesel engine spins up to the highest possible speed.

Turbo lag is possible not only on diesel

There is a special approach to gasoline turbocharged engines. Japanese and Italian manufacturers (Subaru, Mazda, Alfa Romeo and Fiat) are especially persistent in the fight against such a problem as a diesel turbo lag.

However, in the case of the Italians, such an approach is more relevant that turbo lag also occurs in turbocharged gasoline engines. True, in this case, they try to use not so much the possibilities of exhaust gases, but all kinds of superchargers.

After all, gasoline, unlike diesel fuel, does not give such an amount of exhaust during combustion, and it is more difficult to achieve the pressure necessary for a sharp spin-up of the turbine impeller (in the case of a gasoline engine).

Therefore, the modern automotive industry is looking for fundamentally new approaches, designing superchargers, the principle of operation of which depends not only on the amount of exhaust gases formed during the combustion of fuel in the engine internal combustion.

Turbojam and radiator

The special layout of the radiator is an effective solution for high-speed sports cars. For example, one of the effective answers to the question of what a turbo lag is and how to get rid of its manifestations during the operation of a sports car engine in extreme mode can be considered a special radiator layout on sports cars(the so-called V-mount system).

The radiator is angled, not frontal, and only a portion of the incoming air (up to 25 percent) is used to cool the engine. And the main flow also "works" for the spin-up of the turbine, creating excess pressure on the impeller of the turbo-accelerator rotor.

WHAT IS AN ENGINE TURBOYAM?

Turbo lag (turbo lag) - the feeling of driving a car equipped with a turbocharged engine. The turbo lag effect is manifested on cars with gasoline and diesel engines. We will tell you what a turbo lag is and how to get rid of it.

Turbo lag is a failure when revving the engine due to the inertia of the turbine.“I gave it gas”, but the car does not immediately accelerate. Due to the turbo lag effect, there is a jump in the acceleration of the car. Now in detail why this happens.

HOW DOES THE TURBOYAM EFFECT HAPPEN?

consists of two impellers mounted on a common shaft, but located in separate chambers, hermetically separated from each other. One of the impellers is forced to rotate incoming exhaust gases from the engine. Since the second impeller is rigidly connected with it, it also begins to rotate and capture fresh air, supplying it to the engine cylinders.

The turbine can spin up over 150,000 rpm, i.e. the more exhaust gases supplied to the turbine impeller, the higher its speed, which means it will pump more air.

To limit the set of revolutions of the turbine, it is installed that relieves part of the pressure of the exhaust gases, saving the engine from "spacing". However, there is a significant drawback.

The following happens. The car is moving at low speed and the engine is also running at low speed. On the way, it becomes necessary to overtake and the driver sharply presses the gas pedal, but nothing happens. This is "turbo lag" caused by the delay of the turbine. Those. in other words "Turboyama" - a delay in power and an increase in engine speed during a sharp press on the gas pedal.

After pressing the accelerator pedal, fuel is supplied to the cylinders, which must be burned, and only after that the exhaust gases enter the turbine impeller. It begins to increase its speed, the turbine begins to supply more air to the engine cylinders and the expected acceleration occurs, allowing you to overtake.

HOW TO GET RID OF THE TURBOYAM?

To get rid of turbo lag, you do not need to look for a replacement turbine, but reduce the effect of turbo lag by changing the operation of the engine. You can do it with . In the process, specialists change the settings in the control unit, setting the necessary parameters. You can do it on any car, both with a gasoline and diesel engine.

The problem with the turbo-lag effect was solved by engineers using a variable geometry turbine or using a second, but mechanical, turbine or compressor for air storage. So, Volvo uses a two-liter compressed air cylinder, which, when the throttle is suddenly opened, sends it along the shortest path to the cylinders in order to completely eliminate the turbo lag.

Most motorists have probably come across the concept of "turbo-lag" (turbo-lag). In addition, a significant percentage of users have experienced this problem themselves, although they do not fully know what a turbo lag is on gasoline engine. Below we will tell you in detail what a turbo lag is, the causes of problems and its possible solutions.

What is a turbo lag?

Turboyama- this is a functional minus that appears in the process of driving a vehicle, when you press the gas in order to give the car speed, but the car does not accelerate, but on the contrary, there is a failure in the engine speed due to its inertia. In simple terms, turbo lag is an effect when there is a delay between pressing the gas and increasing the power output.

For the torque of the wheels, the timely combustion of fuel in the internal combustion engine (internal combustion engine) is responsible. It's no secret that motorists want to save on gasoline, but at the same time increase the power output of the motor. This can be done without resorting to an increase in the number of cylinders and their volume. For this, turbocharging has been used for a long time. This is a system that uses the energy of exhaust gases. Its device is quite complicated and the design of which includes:

  • nozzles;
  • a turbocharger that compresses and transfers air to the cylinders using the recycled energy of the exhaust gases;
  • intercooler - a part that provides timely air cooling. The element relies on such a law: the lower the ambient temperature, the higher the air density. Therefore, it contains an increased concentration of oxygen;
  • bypass and control valves.

The presented mechanism is extremely closely related to the turbowell. So, little air is pumped in if an insufficient amount of exhaust gases is formed when the engine is running at low revs. On average, the exhaust gases can spin the turbine up to 150 thousand revolutions. So, the larger the volume of gases, the greater the performance they will provide. This means that more air will enter the combustion chamber.

The functioning of the turbine is almost impossible to trace. The effect, when the values ​​of the force return do not increase, we call the turbo lag. One pattern has been noticed, the larger the turbine, the better and brighter the described effect is felt.

The problem appears on both petrol and diesel engines. So, on the second type of motors, if the car is equipped with "automatic" and the engine operates at low speeds, turbo lag is even more common. This is due to the fact that pressing the gas does not help to achieve the desired result, the vehicle reacts with a delay. Consequently, the risk of getting into a traffic accident is significantly increased.

Turbocharged systems are increasingly appearing in builds modern cars, allowing you to achieve maximum values ​​in the output power without resorting to an increase in engine size.

Causes of the turbo lag effect

After answering the question "what is a turbo lag" and getting acquainted with the device of the parts that take part in this, it's time to find out why a turbo lag occurs. Understanding this is not so difficult - you just need to imagine a turbocharger in action. As noted earlier, this element increases power due to the generation of pressure by the exhaust gases, which subsequently affects the impeller blades.

The impeller rotation speed is insufficient if the car is moving at a low number of revolutions, or if you press on the gas sharply. Consequently, the exhaust gases are not compressed to the required volume. As a result, the overall value decreases. combustible mixture, which is located inside the cylinder, because in its composition there is a lack of air, especially oxygen. As a result of these processes, the fuel begins to burn out incompletely, falls on a hot snail, and continues to burn there. And this, in turn, provokes the occurrence of carbon deposits and a decrease in the performance of the turbocharger.

Moreover, the latter becomes the cause of additional resistance during the exhaust manifold exhaust gases come out. Thus, the overall power of the motor is reduced, because now it needs to eliminate exhaust gases and clean the cylinders in a timely manner.

How long does it take for a car to recover? It all depends on the size of the turbocharger (by this we mean the amount of air that can fit in it). The larger its size, the longer the bounce back process will be, and the more noticeable the turbo lag will be. And although the power of small turbochargers is much less, the drawback described above is almost not noticeable on them.

How to get rid of turbo lag?

If you are wondering how to remove the turbo lag, then you need to know that there is no need to change the turbine here, you just need to make some changes to the operation of the engine. So, many motorists are turning to, which is one of the most affordable methods to get rid of the turbo lag.

Chip tuning is a tuning of the work of electronic controllers. This effect can be achieved by adjusting internal management programs vehicle. Experts use this term in two cases:

  • when it comes to making changes to the control program that allows you to increase power;
  • when auxiliary modules are used to solve all the same problems.

The procedure allows not only to improve power indicators, but also performs the following functions:

  • reducing fuel consumption;
  • making adjustments to the control unit;
  • air blower installations;
  • switching to another type of fuel;
  • replacement of basic nozzles with those that have greater productivity.

In order to complete the chip tuning procedure, you must go through several stages:

  1. The firmware is read by the control unit.
  2. Its correction takes place until the checksums in it reach the required indicators.
  3. New data is written to the controller.

Among the possible disadvantages of chip tuning:

  • increased sensitivity to ambient temperature;
  • the sensitivity of the motor to the quality of fuel intended for atmospheric engines is reduced;
  • there is a need to compensate for the increase in the load on the supercharger by changing the cooling method and using better, and therefore more expensive lubricants.

You can also eliminate the turbo lag in another way. Installing a powerbox will be less expensive. So, this element is attached to the fuel sensor and, as a result, is engaged in a constant change in the mode of operation of the motor. The action takes place depending on the signals that are received. In addition, by installing a powerbox, you will surely achieve the effect of reducing fuel consumption, and you will also be able to customize the device to perform specific tasks.

If we turn to the experience of professionals, the engineers decided to resort to replacing the turbine with one that has a variable geometry. In another case, a mechanical turbine is used, or a compressor is used to accumulate air. For example, automobile concern Volvo uses a 2-liter cylinder in which there is compressed air in production. When the throttle suddenly opens, it sends air to the cylinders. In this way, the risk of a turbo-lag effect is eliminated.

In custody...

Turbo lag is a functional flaw that is not as rare as we would like. In particular, this is due to the fact that now turbocharged engines are almost the latest fashion, and more and more car models are equipped with them. We hope that the material helped to get acquainted with what an engine turbo lag is. Also, the most accessible and common methods for solving a common problem are now known.