Looks like I have may have lost a turbocharger!

[FlatTwin]

Well everyone, was hoping that this was not the case but...

 

Two mornings in a row I got in the truck and started driving. Truck drove fine to about 30 mph then stopped accellerating. Did not matter what I did with the throttle and I had zero boost. I turned around and started to head home then it picked back up and drove fine. Next morning no issues. Following morning it did like above but after driving a bit longer the boost came on fine and truck drove ok...

 

Still this is not a good thing and finally this morning pulled the intake hose off of the turbo inlet. No real noticeable movement in the turbine up nor down but when I tried to turn it it sure seemed stiffer than normal and did not spin around as easily as I seem to remember. Am wondering if its started to coke up? 

 

Truck has about 160,000 miles on it and this could very well be the original turbocharger. Have attached a photo of the turbo as I am not even sure if its the original model or an upgraded version. Anyone ever overhauled these? I have done them on aircraft and its no big deal but have never done this model. 

 

Next question is, if I do need to replace this unit, is there any sort of upgrade that I should look at? The truck is just a driver, not really hot-rodded and I want good reliability more than more power. 

 

Thx,

 

Joe

[FlatTwin]

Link did not come through...

 

http://s876.photobucket.com/user/joeaksa1/media/Dodgeturbocharger_zps46c54479.jpg.html

[joecool911]

Some trucks came with HY and some HX. The HX is an upgrade. Look at the ID plate and see which one it is. You'll need to know anyway I'd you rebuild. Aside from no longer rotating I have a hard time seeing what would cause a turbo to quit working without catastrophic failure. Sure you don't have a breach in the intercool or a bad elbow? Pressure test might be in order. Take off the air inlet hose and see if the turbo is turning while running.

Edited September 12, 2014 by joecool911

[Yankneck696]

It is an HX35 model, as you have the 6 speed. Download the rebuild manual from Holset. PLEASE check runout on the shaft & diameter to see if it truly is rebuildable. Get a GENUINE Holset kit.

After reading the manual, YOU need to decide if you are capable, or have the proper tools & measuring equipment.

If you go for it & are capable, they are super simple to rebuild. I have done dozens of marine Holsets (Same kit & instrictions).

One trick is to soak it a couple days in trans fluid (Used is fine) to break up the carbon in the exhaust housing. It will make disassembly mucheasier.

 

Ed

[rancherman]

One tip here:

when you go to  break loose the  bolts  holding the exhaust housing  to the  center section..   you'll  probably  'feel' it  get  tight again  as  soon as  it  breaks loose..   It'll be the rust  inside  balling up in the threads.

Don't  keep going,  Start  flooding it with   penetrating oil and  'excercise'  the  bolt.  Back and  forth..  a little more each time.      I spent  10 minutes  on one bolt  just a few days ago...  but  I WON!   Patience is   a  virtue, grasshopper!

[Yankneck696]

RIght on, Rancherman.... I actually have used a Dewalt inpact driver in forward & reverse repeatedly to pull the exhaust side.

 

Ed

[MnTom]

Um, before you condemn the turbo, did your truck smoke at all when you had no boost?

[Ilikeoldfords]

^^^^^^^^^^ This!!

 

I was also thinking that there might be a connection problem with the MAP sensor. I left mine unplugged one time and it would get up to about 30 mph and thats it. Wouldnt build any boost. I thought it was a turbo/boost issue but it wasnt. The computer didnt see any boost and wouldnt give any fuel.

[TFaoro]

A video of the turbo with the engine running and the intake off would make it pretty easy to tell if you have a turbo issue

[Wild and Free]

I agree needs more troubleshooting before blaming the turbo, need more details codes ect.

[MnTom]

Just remember, your turbo requires fuel to make boost and if it is not smoking when you should have boost then the fuel is not being delivered.

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

check hoses too, one could have sprung a leak or come off?

[ryno56]

Sounds a bit more like a dead pedal than a turbo issue. If the truck would not accelerate past 30, it's not because of no boost, it's because of no fuel. You can drive a diesel soft enough to get to highway speed without ever seeing more than 5 psi of boost pressure. Check for codes first before pulling a turbo apart. 

[Mopar1973Man]

There is a rare thing that occurs where the AC noise level wipe out the ECM and creates what known as "Limited pedal". This is where the ECM seem to be governed out to like a set speed no matter what you do you can throttle more nor build any kind of boost. I would check AC noise level for the sake of knowing.

[FlatTwin]

Sorry for the delay on this folks, have been out of town and simply too busy with work to fuss with truck stuff. As well things have gotten worse and it appears that I am losing the 3rd VP44 in 4 years! 

 

Please see this thread: http://forum.mopar1973man.com/index.php?/topic/9024-looks-like-i-may-have-lost-another-vp-44-looking-for-options-and-ideas/

[diesel4life]

Looking at the other thread you started on the VP, I'd wager your turbo is probably just fine. Take care of the trouble codes first and see how it runs before you tear into the turbo.