Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) bad turbo?

[JWatson]

on the way back from Texas on the interstate i noticed that i did not hear the turbo for the entire trip. also the truck topped out at 86 mph and with my head right buy the tailpipe i did not hear any spool down at shut down. i checked the inter-cooler hoses and spun the turbo by hand, the hoses were fine and the turbo spun smooth, but i feel that it should have spun faster. this is my first experience with diesels so i don't know how fast it should spin. one more thing, the oil hose coming off the top of the turbo was not hot after a 200 mile trip, is all this normal, or is my turbo toasted?



joe

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Joe,



What kind of acceleration did you have, and how much was your truck smoking smoking. My turbo hasn't gone bad, but I didn't have one of the intercooler boots on tight once, and the truck ran like a dog, and left clouds of black smoke. I would think a bad turbo would exhibit similar symptoms. When my truck was stock, my turbo was pretty quiet. Especially with the stock exhaust. Put a pryo and boost gauge in it. That will tell you if everything is working correctly.



Jim

 

[bmoeller]

When I got the truck, I could only hear the turbo when I mashed it. After adjusting the valves I could hear it more. Since the K&N filter and removing the silencer ring I could really hear it finally. Sounds even better with the BHAF and new exhaust Screaming nicely now. .



If the oil supply line was cool and not hot to the touch like you say, that could be a problem. It should have been pretty warm, if not hot.

 

[JWatson]

jim,



the only smoke made is a light grey haze at full throttle acceleration, also i forgot to mention that the truck has a straight pipe with a resanator. my truck is in the shop right now so i can't post any acceleration numbers, but my 1500 auto with a 318ci. appears to have more acceleration than the 3500. what about top speed? 86mph with the go petal on the floor seems a bit slow to me.



joe

 

[JWatson]

bmoeller,



as i forgot to mention on my first post, i do have a straight pipe with what appears to be a resonator, the first thing i plan to do when i get my truck back is a valve job, and the second is to remove the silencer ring. after that we'll see how she sounds. also the oil line was not exactly cool, just not as hot as any other part of the engine.



joe

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Joe,



A light haze is good. As far as acceleration, my truck was slower than my 93 D250 with a 360, which I kind of expected anyway. My truck only topped out at about 90 when it was stock. That was cured with a governor spring kit. The factory gov springs only allow around 2500 rpm's or so, and at 70 I'm turning between 2000-2100, so that's probably pretty close. Once you pull the silencer ring, you should be able to hear the turbo.



Jim

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by JWatson

Also the oil line was not exactly cool, just not as hot as any other part of the engine.



joe

Your fine.

 

[JWatson]

thanks everyone, thats kinda what i figured but i just wanted to be sure. a bad turbo is the last thing i need at this point since i have already had to completely rework the steering and brake systems. the 3k gsk and gauges are also on the list but will have to wait due to $ reasons.



joe