Best replacement turbo actuator

[firefighter_2000]

Who has the best replacement turbo actuators? Currently looking at Circuit Board Medics reman & City Diesel.
CBM completely rebuilds with OEM parts etc. Currently on sale for $750.

https://circuitboardmedics.com/remanufactured-dodge-6-7l-cummins-holset-he300vg-turbo-actuator/

I’ve seen lots of good reviews for the City Diesel replacement turbo actuator and that it is better than OEM with stronger actuator motor. If that’s even needed.

https://www.citydiesel.net/index.php?action=viewitem&itemid=29012&cat=19

Any personal experiences? My last one was replaced with OEM and lasted 120k miles.

Thanks!

 

[BigPapa]

City Diesel hands down.

 

[Topzide]

X2 on City Diesel unit!

That's what I put on my truck when it went south. True plug and play unit made with NEW parts with higher end components! Don't fool yourself with saving on a rebuilt unit. You want to put a unit back into service that was check and faulty components only replaced? City built theirs from the ground up! Bigger motor, longer life electronics and great customer service if needed! Just order from Genos, same price as if buying directly from City.

 

[firefighter_2000]

X2 on City Diesel unit!

That's what I put on my truck when it went south. True plug and play unit made with NEW parts with higher end components! Don't fool yourself with saving on a rebuilt unit. You want to put a unit back into service that was check and faulty components only replaced? City built theirs from the ground up! Bigger motor, longer life electronics and great customer service if needed! Just order from Genos, same price as if buying directly from City.

Looks like Genos is on back order until Mid January

 

[Topzide]

May be the same from City also. I had to wait for mine from Genos. they got it to me about 10 days sooner then stated. Price is same from either one. Call Genos to see how many they have coming in and if they're spoken for.

 

[BigPapa]

I’ve been ordering two a week directly from CD. They’re taking about a week to ten days to come in. Normally I get them in two days.

 

[Ozymandias]

I guess the factory one today isn't the same as ten years back.

The numbers of complaints here in the forum is in a steady decline for the last couple years.

 

[Topzide]

@Ozymandias, The City unit has been designed with better components and is $400 - $600 cheaper with 2 yr warranty!

I feel like the City unit seems to be smoother than the factory unit was. The factory unit seemed to through more brake HP then the City does. Slams you in the seat type.

Just the fact that they're using better components in building it, makes me feel better about their product.

 

[BigPapa]

We have replaced the Holset reman actuators multiple times on the same bus. We have yet to replace a CD actuator.

 

[Diesel85]

We have replaced the Holset reman actuators multiple times on the same bus. We have yet to replace a CD actuator.

Aren't the Holset reman actuators where they just repair the problem and then box it up and don't do too much QA on it?

 

[BigPapa]

They’re whatever Cummins considers remanufactured. They’re a Cummins part. They’ve changed the part numbers several times.

 

[Grumpy8811]

We have replaced the Holset reman actuators multiple times on the same bus. We have yet to replace a CD actuator.

sometimes the turbo is sticking mechanically and the actuator just doesn't work properly.. and it isn't the actuator..
but I digress.. people seem to recommend the City Diesel and it is a helluva lot cheaper, so the question seems to answer itself.

 

[Topzide]

@Grumpy8811, If you read what City says about their unit, they state that you should check to see if the vanes are moving before opening the actuator box, so that you can return it if the vanes are sticking or not moving. The have made a new unit and filled it with better parts! It's a tried and true replacement, that's also plug and play. The Holset unit needs calibration done on it.

 

[BigPapa]

sometimes the turbo is sticking mechanically and the actuator just doesn't work properly.. and it isn't the actuator..

Proper diag is done before throwing an actuator at it. We find the majority of actuator codes are from low voltage.

My point was that the Cummins reman actuators are no better than the original. We replace one and they last maybe a year or two and have to be replaced again. The oldest CD actuator in our fleet is well over a year old and we’ve not replaced one of the CD actuators yet.

 

[Signal73]

Proper diag is done before throwing an actuator at it. We find the majority of actuator codes are from low voltage.

My point was that the Cummins reman actuators are no better than the original. We replace one and they last maybe a year or two and have to be replaced again. The oldest CD actuator in our fleet is well over a year old and we’ve not replaced one of the CD actuators yet.

Do you find its low voltage from old batteries and/or poor charging system or defective wiring going to the unit?

 

[BigPapa]

Do you find its low voltage from old batteries and/or poor charging system or defective wiring going to the unit?

Probably 50/50 between old batteries and a bus driver leaving things on.

 

[JR]

Any personal experiences? My last one was replaced with OEM and lasted 120k miles.

Thanks!

For all the raves about City Diesel you'll be hard pressed to find enough of them with this kind of mileage to form any tangible opinions. Like you I replaced my OE with another Holset (reman) 5 years ago and it's been just fine. I've also helped replace a few on acquaintances trucks. Went through m&distributors for all of them. Super knowledgeable people. I think Kyle was the guy I dealt with.
As always it would be best to contact them to verify fitment.

https://www.thedieselstore.com/product/actuator-kit-reman-cummins-cum5496045kx

 

[bboxall]

My OEM turbo actuator started throwing codes at 182,XXX miles and was really bad at 184,XXX miles. I replaced it with a City Diesel and have had no issues so far, the truck has 201,XXX miles on it now.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I chose and installed the City Diesel actuator--see Issues 114 and 115.