A turbocharger rarely fails without a cause, and in the majority of MTU cases the cause is one of four things: oil that did not arrive (blocked, incorrect, or wrong-grade oil supply), oil that arrived dirty, a foreign object that came through the intake, or debris released from the exhaust side after a valve or component broke elsewhere in the engine. The turbocharger is usually the component that reports the fault, not the one that created it.
That matters commercially, because replacing the unit without clearing the cause produces the same failure on the new unit — and a repeat failure on a replacement is usually excluded from warranty. This guide lists the symptoms, the causes behind them, and the checks worth completing before the replacement unit is ordered.
Check these before the replacement unit is ordered
- Where the oil is going: is oil showing in the charge-air ducting or at the intercooler?
- The oil supply line and its strainer — a restricted supply line is a late failure waiting to happen on the new unit
- The air intake path upstream of the compressor: filter, hose debris, and anything that could have been ingested
- Boost behaviour against the engine documentation: does the engine reach rated boost, and does it hold it?
- Exhaust side: any sign of a failed valve, injector, or component that could have shed debris
- Shaft play and blade contact evidence on the old unit, recorded before it is shipped away
A repeat failure is not covered where the cause was not cleared. Photograph the old unit, the oil line, and the intake path before anything is removed — that record is what settles a warranty discussion later, and it is also what lets us quote the right cartridge or assembly rather than the whole unit.
Parts We Supply for This Series
The groups below are generated from catalog records listed under this engine series (491 part numbers). Open any number for fitment, weight, HS code, and interchange details, or browse the full MTU Turbocharger Parts Catalog.
Gaskets and seals (128)
| 0000160119 | Sealing Ring |
| 0000170660 | Ce Ring |
| 0000180680 | Gasket |
| 0000530361 | Valve Stem Seal |
| 0002017519 | Rotary Seal |
| 0029977940 | Sealing Ring |
| 0039978648 | Rotary Pump Seal |
| 0049979947 | Shaft Seal |
| 0079977247 | Shaft Seal |
| 0219976547 | Crankshaft Front Seal Ring |
| 0219976647 | Crankshaft Rear Seal Ring |
| 0249975047 | Shaft Seal Ring |
Engine components (79)
| 0000530126 | Valve Collet |
| 0000530926 | Valve Keeper Wedge |
| 0000533635 | Valve Rotator |
| 0001424957 | Exhaust Manifold Ring |
| 0001427157 | Lamellar Ring |
| 0001510433 | Multiple-Disc Clutch |
| 0001800015 | Pressure Reducing Valve Assembly |
| 0002010418 | Counterring |
| 0005360101 | Illuminated Pushbutton |
| 000908016001 | Threaded Plug |
| 000908030002 | Thread Plug |
| 0009813527 | Angular-Contact Ball Bearing |
Drive components (55)
| 000007005115 | Dowel Pin |
| 000125013012 | Washer |
| 000908010002 | Screwed Plug |
| 000912010014 | Hex Socket Head Bolt |
| 000933008040 | Hex Screw |
| 0009953502 | Clamp |
| 05144768 | Clamp |
| 070852035000 | Slotted Nut |
| 11506101 | Nut |
| 270952035100 | Tab Washer |
| 5090200071 | Magnetic Nut |
| 5090250141 | Retaining Ring |
Sensors and electrical (39)
| 0001536132 | Pressure Monitor |
| 0001536720 | Speed Sensor |
| 0002033288 | Actuator |
| 0005355103 | Level Monitor |
| 0005355303 | Level Monitor |
| 0005356430 | Temperature Sensor |
| 0005357333 | Speed Sensor |
| 0005357633 | Speed Sensor |
| 0005357833 | Speed Sensor |
| 0005357933 | Speed Sensor |
| 0005358033 | Speed Sensor |
| 0005358133 | Speed Sensor |
Valve train (30)
| 3669900240 | Valve Spring Washer |
| 4570530001 | Inlet Valve |
| 5240530120 | Outer Valve Spring |
| 5240530122 | Inner Valve Spring |
| 5240530805 | Exhaust Valve |
| 5240530830 | Valve Guide |
| 5240530905 | Exhaust Valve |
| 5240531101 | Inlet Valve |
| 5320530020 | Valve Spring |
| 5410500227 | Exhaust Valve |
| 5410501336 | Rocker Shaft Support |
| 5410530225 | Valve Spring Retainer |
Bearings (29)
| 5090200512 | Thrust Bearing |
| 5090250350 | Bearing Bushing |
| 5100250050 | Bearing Bushing |
| 5110200510 | Thrust Bearing |
| 5110250050 | Bearing Bushing |
| 5110252210 | Bearing |
| 5240332608 | Thrust Bearing, Size 0-1, UP/RIL |
| 5240332630 | Crankshaft Bearing Aux PTO End |
| 5240332730 | Crankshaft Bearing Driving End |
| 5240333407 | Thrust Bearing, Size 0-1, LO/SPT |
| 5240336602 | Crankshaft Bearing Lower Half |
| 5240336702 | Crankshaft Bearing Size 0-1 |
Filters (28)
| 0000925105 | Filter Element |
| 0000943268 | Air Filter Restriction Indicator |
| 0010928801 | Fuel Prefilter |
| 0020921901 | Spin-On Fuel Filter |
| 0020922801 | Spin-On Fuel Filter |
| 0030944304 | Air Filter |
| 0030947404 | Air Filter Element |
| 0030948104 | Air Filter Element |
| 0031845201 | Spin-On Oil Filter |
| 0031845301 | Spin-On Oil Filter |
| 23540455 | Centrifugal Oil Filter Assembly |
| 5241840501 | Lube Oil Full-Flow Filter |
Pistons and liners (28)
| 0090375019 | Taper Face Compression Ring |
| 0120373618 | Oil Control Ring |
| 234110196000 | Piston Compression Ring |
| 5090850060 | Piston Ring |
| 5100850260 | Piston Ring |
| 5110850460 | Piston Ring |
| 5110850560 | Piston Ring |
| 5110850960 | Piston Ring |
| 5240114210 | Cylinder Liner Size 0 |
| 5240382550 | Conrod Bushing Size 0 |
| 5240384110 | Conrod Bearing Upper Half |
| 5240384210 | Conrod Bearing Size 0-1 |
Fuel system (24)
| 0020172112 | Hole-Type Nozzle |
| 5240160153 | Injector Sleeve |
| 5320700246 | Relief Valve |
| 5360702032 | Fuel Line |
| 5360900250 | Fuel Delivery Pump |
| 5501801015 | Pressure Relief Valve |
| 5501801115 | Pressure Relief Valve |
| 5550100051 | Nozzle Holder with Nozzle |
| 5550100651 | Nozzle Holder with Nozzle |
| 5550102451 | Nozzle Holder with Nozzle |
| 5551800015 | Pressure Limiting Valve |
| EX52407500064 | Injector |
Cooling system (16)
| 5240980281 | Hose |
| 5502003201 | Seawater Pump |
| 5502030060 | Sight Glass |
| 5502040906 | Impeller |
| 5552010005 | Coolant Pump Shaft |
| 5562010105 | Coolant Pump Shaft |
| 5582040406 | Impeller |
| 5592010007 | Impeller |
| 5592010307 | Impeller |
| X00017269 | Impeller |
| X00041552 | Cooler Plate |
| X53620200052/87 | Coolant Pump |
Turbocharging (13)
| 5090251301 | Compressor Wheel |
| 5090850160 | Piston Ring for Turbocharger |
| 5110800220 | Turbine Wheel |
| 5110800420 | Turbine Wheel |
| 5110803201 | Bearing Housing |
| 5110804420 | Turbine Wheel |
| 5110809821TURBINE | Turbine Wheel |
| 5110812603 | Heat Shield |
| 5310900337 | Charge Air Line |
| 5361420025 | Exhaust Diffuser |
| X00038531 | Turbocharger Oil Supply Hose |
| E0070960399 | Exhaust Turbocharger |
Lubrication (8)
| 5321800001 | Oil Pump |
| 5321800143 | Oil Spray Nozzle |
| 5361800515 | Oil Pressure Relief Valve |
| 5410100163 | Oil Separator |
| 5500100061 | Oil Separator |
| 5550101251 | Oil Spray Nozzle |
| 5551800122 | Oil Line |
| X00005363 | Oil Separator |
Air and intake (5)
| 0000943409 | Intake Manifold |
| 0180945802 | Air Cleaner with Adapter Fitting |
| X52212500032 | Rubber Sleeve Charge-Air Line |
| X59499100014 | Hose for Air Compressor |
| X59499100015 | Hose for Air Compressor |
Cylinder heads (3)
| 5320100130 | Cylinder Head Cover Lower Part |
| 5500100330 | Cylinder Head Cover |
| 5550105141 | Cylinder Head with Valve |
Control components (2)
| 5552030388 | Slide Valve |
| X00E50201022 | Governor |
Starting and charging (2)
| X52421300004 | Alternator |
| X59417200010 | Electric Starter |
Tools and supplies (1)
| 40041 | Molykote G-N Plus Paste |
Repair kits (1)
| XP52718300065 | Circlip Kit |
Related Resources
- MTU 2000 Turbocharger Parts
- MTU 4000 Model Parts List
- MTU Exchange & Reman Parts (Core Deposit Explained)
- MTU 396 Blue Smoke: When Oil Is Burning
- Catalog PDF downloads — this series' part-number index as a printable PDF
- Reading a parts diagram — from position number to part number
- Authorised dealer or independent supplier?
- All parts guides
FAQ
How do I know if the turbocharger or the sensor is at fault?
A boost-system fault and a sensor fault can both present as low power. The difference is measured, not judged: compare actual boost pressure against the value your engine documentation expects at the same load and fuel setting. If the measurement is good and the reported value is not, the fault is on the sensing side.
Should I buy the complete turbocharger or just the cartridge?
That depends on which assembly failed and what your workshop is willing to do. Photograph the old unit and send us the complete number; we will confirm whether a cartridge route exists for that position and quote both where the choice is open.
Will an exchange turbocharger ship faster than a new one?
Often yes — exchange units are replenished from returned cores and are frequently already in regional stock. Ask for both routes on a dated order; the quote will show price, lead time, and core terms separately so you are not comparing unlike items.
Is a whistling sound always a turbocharger failure?
No. A whistling or whooshing sound is usually a boost-side air leak, which can be a hose, a clamp, or an intercooler joint rather than the turbocharger itself. A grinding or high-pitched metallic sound is the one to treat as urgent, because it indicates contact inside the unit.
Send your engine details: Model, serial number, and the positions you need — we verify fitment and supersessions, then quote with availability per line.