TPS

Common issues

• Bearing wear (axial and radial) due to contaminated or insufficient lubricating oil supply.
• Compressor wheel erosion, fouling, or foreign object damage (FOD) from dirty intake air or water ingress.
• Turbine-end fouling and/or corrosion, particularly prevalent with HFO operation and suboptimal combustion.
• Wastegate or variable nozzle ring (VNT) sticking or sluggish operation, if fitted, leading to poor engine response.
• Oil leakage from bearing housing seals (compressor or turbine side), indicating seal wear or pressure issues.
• Imbalance of the rotor assembly due to deposits, erosion, or component damage, leading to excessive vibration.
• Clogging of the air filter element, restricting airflow and reducing turbocharger efficiency.

Inspection checklist

• Visual inspection for oil leaks from bearing housing, compressor casing, and turbine casing connections.
• Inspect compressor wheel through the intake for erosion, fouling, foreign object damage (FOD), and rubbing marks.
• Inspect turbine wheel for fouling, erosion, FOD, and rubbing marks (requires opening inspection port or exhaust casing).
• Check axial and radial bearing play (shaft movement) using a dial gauge if possible, or by manual assessment for excessive movement.
• Monitor operational parameters: turbocharger RPM, charge air pressure and temperature, exhaust gas temperatures (before and after turbine).
• Listen for abnormal noises (e.g., rubbing, whistling, grinding) and check for excessive vibration during engine operation.
• Inspect the condition of the air filter element and ensure intake ducting is free from obstructions.
• Verify free movement and proper operation of the wastegate or variable nozzle ring (VNT) actuator and linkage, if installed.
• Check tightness of all mounting bolts, pipe connections, and casing clamps.

Service intervals

Typical wear limits

Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.

Critical spares

• Complete bearing cartridge assembly (or individual thrust and radial bearings)
• Sealing rings (oil and gas side, e.g., labyrinth seals)
• Full gasket and O-ring set for overhaul
• Air filter elements
• Impeller nut (critical for rotor assembly)
• Lubricating oil (specific type and quantity)
• Nozzle ring (if variable geometry, prone to fouling/damage)

Safety

• Risk of catastrophic failure due to overspeed or component failure (e.g., burst casing, projectile hazard).
• High surface temperatures (turbine casing, exhaust piping) causing severe burns.
• High noise levels during operation requiring mandatory hearing protection.
• Pressurized air and exhaust gas within casings and piping, posing risk during improper disassembly.
• Hot lubricating oil during maintenance procedures.

Class survey

The class surveyor will typically verify maintenance records and service reports, conduct a visual inspection for external damage, leaks, and secure mounting. They will assess operational parameters (charge air pressure/temp, exhaust gas temp, RPM) and may request a bearing play check if accessible or if issues are suspected. Inspection of the air filter and compressor intake is common, along with confirmation of critical spare parts availability onboard.