What are the signs of a turbo fault on a TDV6 or SDV6?

Low power, a whistle, smoke from the exhaust or the car going into limp mode. Any of these is a reason to have it checked, but none of them proves on its own that the turbo has failed.

Can the actuator be repaired without replacing the turbo?

It depends on the engine and on how the part is supplied. We tell you after testing which part has failed and what the repair involves.

Do you replace turbos yourselves?

Yes. Turbo replacement is done in-house at our Welwyn Garden City centre, after the checks have shown what has failed and why.

Will I know the cost before you start?

Yes. After testing you get a written price and a promised time for your next update, and no part is fitted until you give your written approval.

Range Rover Sport turbo

TDV6 and SDV6 turbo and actuator problems

Low power, a whistle, smoke or limp mode on a TDV6 or SDV6 diesel can point to a turbo fault, but the fault can also be in the actuator that controls the turbo or in the oil supply that feeds it. We check the boost readings, the actuator, the turbo shaft and the oil supply before condemning the turbo, then fix the cause and replace the part that has failed, with your written approval before any work starts.

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Last updated 12 November 2026

Which cars and engines are affected?

This page covers turbo and turbo actuator faults on the TDV6 and SDV6 V6 diesels, including those in the Range Rover Sport and Discovery.

If you are not sure which engine your car has, put the registration in the enquiry form and we will check. For other work on these cars, see our Land Rover and Range Rover specialist page.

What are the symptoms?

low power
a whistle from the engine
smoke from the exhaust
limp mode, where the car limits its own power

When you book, tell us which of these you have noticed, when they started and whether any warning lights are on.

What causes it?

These symptoms do not always mean the turbo itself has failed. The fault can be in:

the turbo
the actuator, which controls how much boost the turbo makes
the oil supply that feeds the turbo

This matters because a new turbo fitted to an engine with an oil supply problem is exposed to the same problem. So we find the cause before we replace anything.

How do you confirm the fault before fitting parts?

A fault code is not a repair, and a whistle or smoke is not proof that the turbo is the cause. Before we condemn a turbo, we:

read the fault memory with our diagnostic equipment
check the boost pressure readings
test the actuator
check the turbo shaft for play
check the oil supply to the turbo

We then show you what we found, with photos, and send a written price. No part is fitted until you give your written approval.

What does the repair involve?

Fix the cause first. If the oil supply to the turbo is at fault, we put that right before anything else.
Replace the part that has failed. That is the turbo or the actuator, whichever the checks have shown to be faulty. Turbo replacement is done in-house.

Once the work is done, we check that the fault has cleared and verify the repair, including a road test where appropriate.

Do you check Jaguar diesel turbos too?

Yes. We carry out the same checks on Jaguar diesels, reading the fault memory and checking the boost readings, the actuator, the turbo shaft and the oil supply before condemning a turbo. Send us the registration and we will confirm which engine your Jaguar has. For other Jaguar work, see our Jaguar specialist page.

How long does a turbo repair take?

It depends on what the checks find, and on what has to be put right before a new turbo or actuator goes on.

Before any work starts, you get a written price and a promised time for your next update. If the car needs to stay with us, ask about a courtesy car when you book.

Is there a recall for the turbo?

Whether a recall applies depends on the individual car, so check your registration on gov.uk. Recall work is done by Land Rover’s network, not by us.

Reverie Autocare is an independent specialist and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jaguar Land Rover, Land Rover, Range Rover, Defender, Discovery or Jaguar.

Our promise on every job

Written approval before any extra work
Photographic proof of what we find
A promised update time
No surprise invoice
A test drive and verification where appropriate

Our service centre

Where will my car be looked after?

At our centre at 57 Great North Road, Welwyn Garden City, built so that waiting for your car is not wasted time.

Seven ramps and an on-site MOT bay
Three customer waiting areas
A co-working space with Wi-Fi
A multi-faith prayer room and quiet room
Lavazza coffee
Customer parking

Questions people ask us

What are the signs of a turbo fault on a TDV6 or SDV6?: Low power, a whistle, smoke from the exhaust or the car going into limp mode. Any of these is a reason to have it checked, but none of them proves on its own that the turbo has failed.
Does low power always mean the turbo has failed?: No. The fault can be in the actuator that controls the turbo, or in the oil supply that feeds it. We check each of these before recommending a new turbo.
Can the actuator be repaired without replacing the turbo?: It depends on the engine and on how the part is supplied. We tell you after testing which part has failed and what the repair involves.
Do you replace turbos yourselves?: Yes. Turbo replacement is done in-house at our Welwyn Garden City centre, after the checks have shown what has failed and why.
Will I know the cost before you start?: Yes. After testing you get a written price and a promised time for your next update, and no part is fitted until you give your written approval.