Blown turbo

[JLewis]

Left the house the other day and when I pulled up to the stop sign a mile down the road I noticed the truck was idleing erratic. As I began to pull away I heard a loud screaching sound, loss of power, and lots of black smoke coming out the exhaust. Limped it up the road a hundred yards or so and parked it at a friends house, then towed it home. Pulled intake off turbo and no broken fins but seems to be alot of play in shaft. Started truck quickly and realized sound is definatley coming from turbo. Checked oil, was low, but was reading. Plans are to replace exhaust manifold with 2001 24v manifold, and put a 12v turbo (hx 35) on that we had lying around. Are there any other things I should do before running engine after changing these things, and does it sound like a good turbo to put on this engine? Any other thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks



2003 3500 SRW QC 4x4 AFE Stage II Smarty S-06 Boost Fooler NV 5600 Stock turbo Slightly modded CP3

 

[Wingate]

I'd pull the intercooler and tilt it up on one end to make sure there isn't oil/metal debris in it. If its got oil in it, you can take it to a good radiator shop and they can flush it out. If its got metal in it, you're probably better off buying a new one.

 

[Slow Six]

I blew a turbo over a year ago when the snap ring and silencer fell into the compressor wheel. There was a lot of metal missing and I was worried that I would have engine damage. I pulled the intercooler and flushed it with water and dishwasher soap, rinsed it and rinsed it than left it in the sun to dry as well as tilting it in different angles to be sure all the water was out. Reinstalled inter cooler, installed new turbo and fired up. I did an oil change right away and than monitored oil level very often for a few thousand miles. Luckily everything was okay. In your case you say there is no missing metal so I would think you should be okay. As for your choice in a turbo I am not sure but I suspect there may be enough differencs that you could have problems. You should consult an expert. This gives you an excuse to do an upgrade to go along with your other mods.

 

[JLewis]

Thanks, I will inspect the turbo better when it is removed. So if there is'nt any metal missing I should'nt have to worry about flushing tne intercooler. Is the hx 35 a bigger cooler than the stock one thats on there now?

Thanks

 

[Wingate]

When you pull the compressor outlet piping, inspect it for an oily feel inside the tubing. . If present, you need to pull the intercooler.

The high pitched squeaking could be several things... . Could be the compressor wheel touching the compressor housing. . (usually happens if the thrust bearing goes out) could be a seized shaft bearing... ( if these are ball bearing turbos)

 

[SShafranko]

I would send the turbo to someone like htt and have them inspect it and give you a reason why it went. (They are good at it) If you weren't getting enough oil to the turbo, find the reason why before you blow the next one. Do you have an oil remote system?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

For the modifications you list, you need a bigger turbo than stock, and the HX35 is not. Yes you can go to a 24 valve exhaust manifold, but you will have to make up an air intake hose arrangement from the air filter box, a compressor outlet elbow, and hose and pipe from there to the intercooler. You will also need to make up a downpipe from the turbo exhaust housing to underneath the truck. If you go from a stock type turbo to an HX35 from a twelve valve, you will need to adapt from its 3” outlet to the larger 4” exhaust pipe you have now. I strongly recommend you buy a more capable turbocharger from a good vendor. The easiest fit will be a High Tech because it will bolt to your exhaust elbow and stock exhaust manifold, and has the cast-in compressor outlet elbow and diameter (2. 75”) needed to use your stock hose and pipe to the intercooler. You need to check for (and remove) oil and aluminum pieces in the pipe and intercooler. On a 2003 Turbo Diesel, you can remove the intercooler fairly easily. Unlike on Second Generation Turbo Diesels, you won't need to remove the radiator.

 

[SShafranko]

Which truck are we talking about? The 03 or the 98?

 

[JLewis]

The 03. Thanks for the info guys. I am just getting started into changing things, and will let you know how it goes when I finish.

 

[DF5152]

I have a used he351 turbo I bought for my truck that I have not and will not be using if you are interested. I also bought an exhaust brake i was gona install at the same time it is also used but never installed on my truck... . this turbo will give you the max hp with the smarty... .

 

[JLewis]

Thanks DF5152. What is a he351 turbo, I've never heard of it? I might be interested though, if you can give me some more info as to what brand turbo it is and also what exhaust brake you have. Let me know asap as I may be interested in both.

Thanks

 

[DF5152]

The HE351 came stock in the 04. 5 to 07 trucks. it will produce a little more boost and needs a 4" down pipe as apposed to the 3. 5" that came stock on the 03. the 03 turbo is the limiting factor with the smarty. I think on 03 and 04 it will produce a max of 130hp. and with the turbo from the 04. 5 it will make 190hp. Or something like that.

 

[JLewis]

Thanks DF5152. Can you give me a phone # to reach you at? I am interested in the turbo and brake and would like to speak with you to work out the details. Thanks again. Jeff