Blown brand new B-1 bomber

[Devildog]

Actually it blew up it's self! Just got done installing it and went for a test drive I got 3-4 miles from the house and heard a POOFFF! Looked behind and the cloud of blue smoke was unbelievable I pulled over as soon as I could shut the engine down. looked around and saw oil pouring out of the tail pipe! I check my oil level and was half way down the dipstick and where I was I couldn't leave the truck so I limped home with a hellatious cloud behind me, as I crested the bridge there were three Police cruisers with their bubble gum lights on just ahead as I went by, and if looks could kill ) but they were stuck there on Church detail which was just about to let out. I was only a 1/4 mile from home spppeeewwwwing smoke. As I rolled into the drive I lost oil pressure but wasn't over heating ) I shut the engine down and coasted the rest of the way. As soon as I got out I stuck a bucket under the tail pipe and dumped 2 gallons of oil in and cranked it up for about 20 seconds to get the new oil circulating and shut it down, when the engine stopped I could hear the turbo scraping it's self to a halt . I'm going to remove it in the morning.



I tried to call Kurt no answer at the shop. I tried to e-mail Kurt and got a non delivery notification so there's something wrong with his e-mail. Does anyone have any other numbers for him?



Will I have to replace my oil filled exhaust?



PS. The turbo sounded aw some before the problem!

 

[Ramafid]

That really stinks. Must have been something out of whack for it to grenade after just 3-4 miles. I'm sure Kurt will take care of you.

 

[Diesel Freak]

Keep us posted!



Did you pre lube the turbo before you started the engine?



Did you allow it to break in before shooting for high boost numbers?

 

[drees1]

I've seen this many times on semi trucks. Probably a broken shaft on the turbo and the turbine wheel may be down in the exhaust pipe. Pull the inlet hose and see how bad the compressor side is. If there is oil in the intercooler or piping, you need to pull the intercooler and tip it up overnight to let the oil out. Failure to do so can result in a run away upon start up. I've seen it happen. If the compressor wheel is also damaged you should pressure test the intercooler for leaks, as schrapnel from the turbo can cause the cooler to leak if it is not contained.



Probably a bad weld on the turbo shaft or balance problem. Most quick failures are a manufacturing defect. It was probably an isolated incident. Scary about running so low on oil though.



Let us know what you find.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

After the turbo is bolted to the manifold Piers recommended dripping several drops of new oil into the turbo oil inlet and spinning the shaft by hand to run it through, before connecting the supply line. This helps ensure good oil to the bearing at startup.



I also heard to take it a bit easy for the first 50-100 miles is recommended (ie, don't floor it or rap it out). Like anything else proper breakin helps assure long life (as well as preventing premature, untimely failures).

 

[Devildog]

I have a service manual

Friday night I gathered my torque specs (11-15) and installation notes such as pre-lubing the turbo (11-16) 2-3 0z of clean engine oil. I was just putting around, traffic was pretty heavy. I do know about break in periods I bought a KS- hx-40-12cm from Kurt about a year ago and it works flawlessly I just out grew it. The KS-B1 was sounding sweet and showed no signs of grenading

I know Kurt will take care of the problem. Trouble is I can't be with out my truck for very long. I had to chop out the old down pipe, so I can't reinstall the old setup.





What should I do about my oil filled muffler and exhaust? Will it have to be replaced?

 

[KatDiesel]

I am honestly surprised your HX40 was still going. Maybe I was just too hard on mine Did you ever get Kurts cell phone?

 

[Devildog]

I have an old cell #, No good

I was hoping another member might have a good number. When I called his shop on Saturday, they said he was moving... .

 

[KatDiesel]

Re: I have an old cell #, No good

Originally posted by Devildog

I was hoping another member might have a good number. When I called his shop on Friday, they said he was moving... .

Sorry all I have is his shop. . and old number



You'll burn oil for a long time to come.



If ya can get it apart to dump the muffler that would be a good thing. It won't hurt anything tho... ..... consider it rustproofing



I took the oppurtunity to change to a different exhaust system when I did it... . might consider replacing just the muffler. The oil in the pipes should burn off eventually. Are you missing part of the exhaust side of the turbo? Or does it all look to be in one piece?

 

[Devildog]

Just pulled the turbo off the truck

The shaft snapped at the nut on the compressor side, the nut was just sitting there when I removed the intake hose. The rest of the turbo stayed intact, there appears to be extensive damage to the blades and housings

 

[johnrv4]

Sorry to hear it

drees1 has some good advice... That same thing has happened to a tdr member that had posted in the past. He had gotten engine oil into the intake side when the turbo let go, which resulted in a run-away engine that scattered parts Keep us posted.

 

[jwilliams3]

Kat,

Diesel Freak is right, you must prelube these turbo's.

Cummins does this with every turbo, reasons being that they have learned the hard way!



--Justin

 

[Devildog]

Kat "I am honestly surprised your HX40 was still going"

I had been running DD2's and the waste gate is set to 36-38 lbs. I just installed the Super Mentals which lead me to the KS B-1.

 

[HVAC]

Prelubing Is Important

All the turbo manufacturers I deal with recommend prelubing. Since I work with twins it's twice the job. Break in is a good policy as well. I've seen a number of turbos blow when someone max's them out right out the gate. Ususally these are HX40's.



Devildog, I left a message at Kurt's shop. He's busy moving this weekend I was told.

 

[J.R. Adkins]

ANY turbo that is not properly pre-lubed and broke in is subject to failure! Not just the HX40! What happened to the turbo that was on Strick9's truck?







J. R.

 

[J.R. Adkins]

The one that was on his truck when he was @ DTT.







J. R.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Kurt...not easy to get in touch with...

DevilDog... I hope all works out for you... in my experience Kurt is not an easy person to get in touch with. I tried to contact him several times about questions with my QwikSpool HX40-12. That turbo is long gone and I never did get my answers... LOL



Jeff

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

When Fred Swanson put my HX 40 on, We prelubed the turbo. He poured the oil in while I spun the shaft. Greg

 

[Devildog]

Well, the turbo is on it's way back UPS red.

It's going back to the turbo guy. I'll keep you guys posted on whats going on.



PS. Kurt did call me on Sunday to find out what happened. Hopefully we can salvage the exhaust housing, he doesn't think there is another.

 

[KWIKKURT]

DevilDog,



We have another B-1 built and waiting... . We will ship in the morning after we see if we can save that turbine housing.





TDR Members.



FYI... Our Shop Phone KD-RV & TRUCK PERFORMANCE INC. 505-534-0434



For the "Kwikest" Response Please call M-F 8:30 to 5:30



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