Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Bad Turbo?

[cnjrichards]

I just purchased a 96 CTD with an auto trans. I noticed I couldn't here my turbo. So I removed the line to the waste gate and replaced it with a gauge. I only get about 2. 5 -3 PSI . I assume this means the turbo is bad. I would like to find a good stock replacement. Any suggestions?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

CNJ is your power really weak and is your truck real smokey? I would first check for boost leaks. Sometimes the first rubber boot coming off the turbo going to the intercooler rubs on the inside fender and gets a large cut. That will kill your boost. Take a close look at all the plumbing and make sure all of your clamps between the turbo and intake horn are good and snug (not super tight). Once you do this give it a try again.

The turbo on my '98 is very quiet, but it works fine, so lack of noise doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. You can take your intake hose off the turbo and check to see if the impeller spins freely by hand and if there's any oil around it.

If your boot is bad places like Piers Diesel or Diesel Power Products sells HD ones.

 

[Stanbery]

Is this while you're driving? Sounds to me like you're sitting in the driveway just revving the motor, if that's the case it's not going to make much boost if any at all. First thing I'd check is the obvious intercooler hose clamps, then I'd pressure test your intercooler.

 

[cnjrichards]

I removed the intake boot. The turbo spins freely but there is a film of oil on it. I looked for obvious holes in the boots to the intercooler. What is the best way to test the intercooler?

 

[cnjrichards]

I put a guage in the intake manifold and took it for a ride. I got up to 13 psi. Then I removed the silencer ring. I can hear it now. Thanks for the help.

 

[dpuckett]

13psi still sounds a little low to me. But, it takes fuel to make boost.



Daniel

 

[PKemp]

10 to 15 psi for a stock motor is normal. Oil on the compressor blades is not.

A possible oil seal failure in your turbo may be in your future. Watch it carefully. It is the cause of most diesel runaways. There is a 1/4 inch NPT plug on the driver's side of your motor on the side of your intake manifold about in the middle on the side below all the injector line plumbing. Connect your boost gauge there. To check your intake plumbing and intercooler you can rent/borrow/buy a set of plugs. Undo the rubber hose fitting at the output of the compressor side of the turbo. One plug with a tire valve fitting in it goes here and tighten the clamp. Undo the rubber hose fitting from the intake manifold horn and connect the solid plug here and screw down the clamp. With a tire inflator and round gauge put in 30psi of air. If all is okay and not leaking it should hold pressure for at least 15 minutes. Don't exceed 30 psi. The other place to look for leaks is the intake manifold horn gasket, heater grids gasket and attaching bolts. They should have non-hardening sealant on thier threads. A good coating of anti-sieze works well as a "sealant" in this case and can be used most anywhere else to prevent bolts/studs from siezing.