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CriticalCommonEngine

Daihatsu Tanto: KF-DET Turbocharger Oil Feed Clogging and Bearing Failure

KF-DET Turbocharger Oil Feed Clogging and Bearing Failure is a common engine fault on the Daihatsu Tanto on the 2007–2019 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $1,600 to $3,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 11 documented faults on the Daihatsu Tanto.

Vehicle
Daihatsu Tanto
Engine
KF-DET
Years
2007–2019
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
cvt
System
Engine

This page covers the Daihatsu Tanto as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Daihatsu Tanto faults11 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Turbocharger yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The oil feed banjo bolt and internal oil passage supplying the KF-DET turbocharger become blocked with carbon sludge, typically from extended oil change intervals or short-trip use. Oil starvation causes the turbo's floating bearing to overheat and fail. Failure accelerates rapidly once oil feed is compromised, leading to complete turbo destruction and metal contamination of the engine oil circuit.

What you would notice

  • Blue or white smoke from exhaust on startup and under acceleration, clearing after engine warm-up
  • Audible high-pitched whine or grinding from turbocharger that changes with engine speed
  • Loss of boost pressure and noticeably reduced power under load above 3000 rpm
  • Rapid oil consumption increase with no external leaks visible

How to check it

Where to look. Turbocharger mounted on the rear of the KF-DET engine block, left side of engine bay; oil feed banjo fitting at the top of the turbo centre housing

With engine warm and idling, check for shaft play by gripping the compressor wheel — any radial movement indicates bearing failure. Inspect oil for metallic particles using a magnet on the drain plug. Check for blue or white smoke under sustained load at 3000 rpm. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove and inspect the turbo oil feed banjo bolt orifice for carbon blockage using a fine probe.

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

What it costs to put right

$1,600 to $3,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the turbo oil feed banjo bolt ever been inspected or replaced?”
  • “What oil change interval has been followed — was it ever extended beyond 5000 km?”
  • “Has there been any smoke from the exhaust or loss of power under acceleration?”

Now check the Daihatsu Tanto you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Daihatsu Tanto buyer questions

Is kf-det turbocharger oil feed clogging and bearing failure serious on a Daihatsu Tanto?

We rate it critical and common on the Daihatsu Tanto. The oil feed banjo bolt and internal oil passage supplying the KF-DET turbocharger become blocked with carbon sludge, typically from extended oil change intervals or short-trip use. Oil starvation causes the turbo's floating bearing to overheat and fail. Failure accelerates rapidly once oil feed is compromised, leading to complete turbo destruction and metal contamination of the engine oil circuit.

How much does it cost to fix on a Daihatsu Tanto?

$1,600 to $3,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Daihatsu Tanto years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2019 Daihatsu Tanto. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

With engine warm and idling, check for shaft play by gripping the compressor wheel — any radial movement indicates bearing failure. Inspect oil for metallic particles using a magnet on the drain plug. Check for blue or white smoke under sustained load at 3000 rpm. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove and inspect the turbo oil feed banjo bolt orifice for carbon blockage using a fine probe. Look here: Turbocharger mounted on the rear of the KF-DET engine block, left side of engine bay; oil feed banjo fitting at the top of the turbo centre housing