5000 miles and now some questions

[MRutledge]

I tried searching, but I think I may have been using the wrong terms.



Anyway, I've now got about 5000 miles on my 2005 2500 and I've got some questions. I'm sure if I were to ask the service department at the dealer they'd just tell me everything was normal without even letting me finish describing the situation.



1) I think the turbo is making odd sounds when traveling at slow speeds. It is sort of a howling sound that is very different from the usual turbo whistle that I like so much. The sound seems to depend on engine RPM and not wheel RPM, so I'm inclined to think it isn't the rear end making noise like most of the posts that use the word howl.



2) I've got soot on my bumper, and I can make it produce a good black cloud on the on ramps. I was under the impression these new engines were not supposed to smoke like this. (I'm not complaining about the smoke itself, just wondering if it's normal. ) When I romp on the skinny pedal, she really starts blowing soot. Last night the cloud was so thick the person tailgating me hit the brakes. (Again, not really complaining, just wondering. ) Any thoughts? Is something wrong? Am I shifting wrong? Am I lugging the engine too much? I try to shift around 2200 RPM's in normal driving, and I try to cruise between 1800 and 2000 RPM's. The truck is bone stock.



I really hope there isn't a mechanical problem. So far I seem to have one of the trucks that gets reasonable milage. Other than the two questions above, this truck is great.



Thanks again for the help. It's a wonderful site and I really enjoy reading about what people are doing with/to their trucks.



-Matt

 

[JoshPeters]

While I don't know the 3rd Gens very well, From a technician stand point... . it sounds like you have a problem with the turbo. A black cloud enough to make a car hit the brakes seems quite abnormal for that truck.



I'd take the intake air tube off (air cleaner to turbo) and spin the turbo with your fingers. If it catches or rubs there's a problem. The turbo should spin smoothly like a new set of rollerblade bearings.



Josh

 

[RRoton]

Soot on the bumper is normal on trucks that dont have a tailpipe extension.

I don't think all that smoke is normal on a stock truck though.

As for the turbo noise, I never heard my turbo when the intake was all stock, but my hearing isn't as good as it once was. (eX-pilot too many years around high noise levels)

I CAN hear my turbo very clearly now that I have opened up the intake.

 

[I-6DZL]

Only spin the turbo with the engine NOT running. Don't need any fingers getting chewed up!



Curtis

 

[WStrmiska]

If you think you have a problem take it in to your dealer, thats what your warranty is for.

 

[MRutledge]

Thanks guys. I did some experimenting last night and discovered it only REALLY smokes when the RPMs are too low. I should be able to adjust my driving habits to correct that.



I should get a chance to poke my finger into my turbo (when it's not moving) this weekend.



Thanks again.

-Matt

 

[MRosinski]

I'm getting some smoke too in the 05' when i get in it, but not black more gray than anything. I just figured it might be a combination of the cat and the 20* weather. Should I be gettin concerned? Oil level stays constant but is jet black unlike our 04's oil, good power, turbo sounds fine, and great MPG's.