Another HX-40 bites the dust

[work2muchplay2little]

Well, the trouble-free life of my truck is officially over. This morning, driving to work, started hearing a howling noise that at first I thought was my transmission. Then noticed I was smoking with very light acceleration, stepped down a little harder - and no boost - just louder howling. The turbine is evidently still spinning, but not fast enough to build any pressure. For the record, the HX-40 was unmodified with the exception of a welded wastegate as supplied by DD. It had not seen over 40 psi of boost in over 3 weeks, and a lifetime max of 45. 6 psi, and at the time it crapped out, I was generating less than 10 psi of boost. As I drive an auto, it has only barked maybe three times since installing (4/01) with sudden lifting of the throttle. I'll be calling Lawrence tomorrow, and I'll update the thread as this unfolds.

 

[Vaman]

Sorry to hear that Kurt... keep us informed.

 

[Archive]

What Vaman said! Please keep us informed.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

question...

Being you mentioned the turbo bark, how do you know when it happens? I am curious to know as I drive a five speed and that will be more prone to causing it.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Re: question...

Originally posted by nathanbush

Being you mentioned the turbo bark, how do you know when it happens? I am curious to know as I drive a five speed and that will be more prone to causing it.

Nathan, the barking is what I call the noise of air suddenly rushing backwards through the turbo into the airfilter that occurs when the throttle is suddenly lifted when generating significant boost. On mine this occurred when boost was over 30 psi. It makes a rather curious sound like a bark followed by a 1-2 second woosh sound coming from the air intake area. This has been reported to break turbo shafts from suddenly reversing the spinning turbine blades.



Just pulled the turbo and the compressor blades have just started rubbing on the housing in front of them and have scraped maybe 0. 5 mm of metal off. Very little play either perpendicular or parallel to the shaft.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

work2muchplay2little,



I'll bet the shaft bearings burnt up. This is what happened to mine. What caused it, were still not sure. I never even barked mine once. Never saw more than 35psi boost. It lasted 90 EASY miles.



If you have compressor & turbine wheel rub, and the main shaft is not broken, its probably the bearings (bushings really). If they don't put new wheels in it & repair the rub damaged housings, consider it scrap.



We think there was a bad batch released from Holset. Something about the bearing/main shaft clearences that aren't right. I dunno.



Although my 40 was bought from Piers, and modified by Majestic, Kevin said he has 3 box stock-unmodified HX-40's on the shelf with burnt main shaft bearings.



Majestic said my turbo bushings went due to "lack of oil".



I miss my HX-40 bigtime!! Not to mention I ended up eating $1,100



Keep us posted on whats happening!!!

 

[TXRam]

Man, sorry to hear that Kurt.



Just when I thought us "un-modified 40'ers" would make it through unscathed. But I kept my HX35 just in case.



I've had mine on since April also (it was slightly used when I bought it from another member, so it was a few months old when I got), so we'll see.



What do you think you'll do? Another 40? Or try one of the modified 35's like Piers is selling. Please keep us posted - my set-up is close to yours, so I'd like to know what you do and your experience with whatever you decide on.



Thanks.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

I appreciate your replies, definitely a nuisance. But as they say, gotta pay to play . Not gonna lose any sleep over it. I kept my HX-35 too, but when in came to getting the 4" downpipe off, forget it. I used the guillotine style clamps instead of band clamps and am seemingly stuck waiting for a replacement. As far as a replacement goes here's my thoughts; Piers' new one sounds great but I think I read that it is good for applications up to 350 HP... think I'm more than a little over that. I had a conversation with Massdiesel today and he made an interesting comment when I told him I loved the HX-40 except for the low end lag, he said that Piers told him that was a good thing to protect the transmission. Sounds reasonable. So depending what DD says tomorrow I may be getting another HX-40... . but what I'd really like is a set of TWINS!!!!! We'll see

 

[massdiesel]

lag

Kurt what I was refering to was when Piers said that was no saving on the trans it would be easier on input shafts and output shaft's(Mopar Muscle knows this one) that way the load isn't so harsh on the drive train under hard acceleration in towing heavy loads just to clarify that was a 35 and a 16cm housing recomendation for heavy towing

 

[Bigsaint]

Well, that pretty much $ucks. Sorry to hear Kurt.



Scott W.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Update

I spoke to Chris at DD this morning. They offered to send another free of charge via 3rd day air, I offerred to pick-up the difference to move it up to overnight. I will in turn send in the defecto turbo so they can look it over. He said this would be the first stock HX-40 they have ever seen go bad, and that one on Lawrence's truck had been pushed to 60psi. So, you guys out there with stock HX-40s can breathe a little easier I hope as these things are by and large bullet-proof.



Just to make this point once again; Diesel Dynamics customer service is excellent.



More to come... .

 

[work2muchplay2little]

The new HX-40 is here! And big surprise, it's got a functional wastegate. Called DD to get the scoop on this since my original bought this April was welded shut. DD at that time was setting up to manufacture their own brackets to mount the linkage and now are furnishing this with every HX-40. It is set to open at 43 psi. I'll be installing this evening (when it's less than 100 degrees out ) and will update this thread when the cause of the failure is discovered.

 

[KWIKKURT]

Warranties on Bombed Turbos

From reading the posts it seems like the Hx40 Turbo mod shops are Replacing or rebuilding the Bombed turbos. I hope that is the same result I have with Turbo Auto Diesel in PHX. It was a great performing setup untill it blew. I took it back after 25 days of use more or less and they sent it to holset for evaluation. I need a new turbo as I am towing alot nowdays. If I get bad news I will try a different supplier. I have heard alot of good stuff about Peirs New setup. And he is a nice guy to deal with about anything except the tires on his truck!! Has anyone Towed with his Bombed turbo setup? and noticed the difference with EGT's.



UPDATE I just spoke with Ken at Turbo Auto Diesel in Phx. He said Holset has looked at the HX40 and want to speak directly with me. Is this Good or bad?



I will get them (Ken and Holset) on a three way call tomorrow and see what happens.

I hope they handle it like many of the other Hx40 Modify and/or supply shops have handled the other failures. I will post results soon.