Need a Diesel Mechanic in VA

[theinspectionguy]

Hello...hoping one of you can turn me on to a trustworthy diesel mechanic in the Hampton Roads vicinity of Virginia. I’m looking to have my turbo replaced. I stopped by two performance shops here locally and neither of them filled me with confidence.

Hope I’m posting this in correct spot.

2014 Ram 2500 mega limited - stock

 

[Kirwin]

D & J Automotive (757) 405-3055
Either Dave or Steve are great.

 

[gsbrockman]

D & J Automotive (757) 405-3055
Either Dave or Steve are great.

How is retirement, Ken?

 

[Kirwin]

Great Greg. Today is day 2 of retirement. I still have a few days left to check out. I will be done on 9/25. I may have a Job for you about the first of the year. Need to move my truck from Summerville SC to Elkhart IN for a new Utility Bodywerks tow body. I sent you a TDR PM.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Congrats!!!

 

[Ozymandias]

You're sure you need to replace whole Turbo and not just the Actuator as 99% of the people here?

 

[theinspectionguy]

Thank you for referral Kirin!

Ozymandias.....I actually don’t know. Is there a way to determine on my own?

 

[gsbrockman]

I’d start out by describing any issues you’re currently experiencing.....

 

[Ozymandias]

I’d start out by describing any issues you’re currently experiencing.....

Exactly that.

 

[TFucili]

Great Greg. Today is day 2 of retirement. I still have a few days left to check out. I will be done on 9/25. I may have a Job for you about the first of the year. Need to move my truck from Summerville SC to Elkhart IN for a new Utility Bodywerks tow body. I sent you a TDR PM.

Those Elite bodies are great. I'd be interested to see how things go there, now that they were bought out by Luxe.

 

[theinspectionguy]

Exhaust brake no longer seems to work. Boost is minimal <10. Engine light on...don’t remember exact codes thrown, but all referred to turbo.

 

[gsbrockman]

Exhaust brake no longer seems to work. Boost is minimal <10. Engine light on...don’t remember exact codes thrown, but all referred to turbo.

I’d certainly suggest retrieving any and all codes before arbitrarily throwing a new or reman turbo on it.
As already mentioned by others.....there’s a decent chance you may indeed have a turbo actuator problem instead.

 

[theinspectionguy]

Update: Took your advice and had D & J automotive take a look at my truck. Their findings say it’s a bad actuator afterall. The price quote they received for OEM was $3300! D & J obviously did not advise me to go that route. Instead I’m now in search of a new or reman actuator. I found one advertised from BD for a reman at $595. The other option would be a whole new turbo. I’m all ears for any opinions you guys may have for options.

By the way, the folks at D&J are fantastic. I felt a sense of trust with them and thank you for recommending them to me.

 

[Kirwin]

Cant’t say enough about D & J. They are good folks.

Take a look at Genos Garage. They have a solution for this problem. Currently shows back ordered until 10/9. Check out Motor City Mechanic’s You Tube video on this problem.

Link is here.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/turbo-actuator-and-motorcity-mechanic-video.269854/

 

[theinspectionguy]

Well fellas...as much as I wanted to get a new turbo, I opted to go the cheaper route of purchasing an actuator. I appreciate the advice y’all provided. After a bit of research, I bought a remanufactured actuator from BD —$595 + $250 core. Should arrive next week. After arrival, I’m going to have D&J automotive install it for me. I have a new exhaust and air intake on the way as well....next is a tuner All this research I’ve been doing has given me the bug to start modding the truck a bit.

ps...Kirwin- thx for reminding me about Genos and for the link....both were helpful

 

[theinspectionguy]

Update: Yesterday I picked up my truck from D&J Automotive in Portsmouth VA. Based on my experience with this repair, I would highly recommend them to anyone in the area looking for service. They swapped out my turbo actuator and my truck is back to normal again. The actuator I purchased was a Remanufactured one from BD. The mechanics said it went on without any problems and that it was nice to get a kit that every part needed.

Thank you all for your advice on this matter.