Which fault could cause erosion of turbocharger compressor wheel blades?

• A. Extreme temperatures
• B. Air intake tube leaking
• C. Turbo over speed
• D. Lack of lubrication

Answer: (B)

Erosion on turbocharger compressor blades is caused by abrasive particles entering the compressor and striking the blades at high speed. If the air intake path has a leak, unfiltered air can bypass the filter and bring dust, dirt, or other debris into the compressor. Those hard particles wear away the blade surfaces, gradually causing erosion.

Other faults don’t directly introduce abrasive contaminants into the compressor. Extreme temperatures can affect material properties and clearances but don’t cause erosion from debris. Turbo over speed can damage blades through excessive forces or fatigue, but the damage is not the same as erosion from particle abrasion. Lack of lubrication mainly harms bearings and the rotating assembly, not the compressor blades’ surface erosion.