Mitsubishi TD04 Turbocharger for Pajero | 4D56 | OEM MD194841

Technical Q&A: Mitsubishi 4D56 TD04 Turbocharger

Why is my Pajero 2.5L blowing blue smoke under heavy acceleration?

Blue smoke from the 4D56 exhaust is a primary symptom of dynamic oil seal failure within the TD04-11G turbocharger. During extensive 4×4 touring or heavy towing, the engine generates extreme heat. If the vehicle is shut down without a proper cool-down period, the oil inside the bearing housing carbonizes (oil coking). This abrasive carbon destroys the factory 270-degree thrust bearing, creating axial shaft play that allows pressurized oil to leak past the seals into the intake or exhaust. Replacing the unit with our VSR-balanced MD194841 turbocharger—featuring an upgraded 360-degree bearing—permanently resolves this blow-by issue.

Must I connect the water-cooling lines on this MD194841 turbocharger?

Yes, connecting the coolant lines is an absolute requirement for the MD194841 (49177-02500) assembly. This specific TD04-11G variant features a dual-port water and oil-cooled bearing housing designed for intercooled 4D56 engines. The water jacket utilizes thermal siphoning to pull heat away from the central rotating assembly (CHRA) after engine shutdown. Bypassing or plugging these water ports will eliminate this critical cooling effect, leading to rapid oil coking, immediate thrust bearing seizure, and the voiding of your operational warranty. Always ensure coolant lines are clear during installation.

Are the MD194841 and 49177-01510 turbochargers interchangeable?

No, they are not interchangeable. The MD194841 (MHI 49177-02500) is a TD04-11G turbo featuring a water-cooled bearing housing, designed specifically for the intercooled 2.5L engines. The 49177-01510 is a smaller TD04-9B, which is strictly oil-cooled and used on earlier non-intercooled variants. Attempting to swap them will result in mismatched coolant plumbing, incorrect compressor housing orientations, and improper boost mapping. Always verify the OEM part number stamped on your original compressor housing.

Do you supply replacement CHRA cartridges for the Pajero 4D56?

Yes, we supply fully VSR-balanced TD04-11G CHRA (Core) cartridges for the MD194841 assembly. For 4×4 specialists and diesel rebuilding workshops, replacing just the internal core cartridge is a highly cost-effective repair solution, provided your original turbine housing and compressor cover are completely free of thermal cracks, warping, or internal scrape marks. All our cartridges feature the upgraded 360-degree thrust bearing.