Note that since 2007 I have not read of anyone Turbo exploding.

When I worked in a Fuel Injection Shop that did other things including rebuilding Turbochargers it is on Trucks of other equipment that spends a lot of time at or near full load that the Compressor Wheel can fatigue and crack.

However, the more normal issue is wear where the area that takes up the thrust is so worn the Compressor Wheel make contact with the Compressor Housing. Occasionally it is from stuff getting into the Intake.

Most common is the Engine looses a valve and a piece goes into the Exhaust side of the Turbo. That shocks the shaft and can cause the Compressor wheel to suddenly hit the housing and it comes apart.

And that stuff frequently happens at or near full load.

Another one is that most of the Truck Turbos in the past that have seen have rubber Sleeve connections between the intake and the Turbo. Under load when the system is under pressure if the rubber sleeve gives out the Turbo suddenly over speeds.

When we sent the Turbo back we provided a new sleeve so we would not get stuck with a warranty from a sleeve failure (ya they are not going to tell you the turbo failed because of a ruptured sleeve/hose).

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel