NOT loving my 6.7

[Wayne M.]

I know this is a reach. How aggravating would it be for you to pull the actuator off and redo the calibration, then reinstall? Here's why I'm suggesting that... If the turbo's gate is off by just one tooth, it could be bottoming or topping out inside the turbo causing the CEL. When you're stopping then restarting, the actuator is returning to the neutral position.

This is where not having the proper diagnostics (or knowledge of) is not good. I’m certain that there is a sweep test for the actuator. Mack/ Volvo use a very similar Holset turbo and actuator, and their diagnostics give a calibration/ sweep test. I doubt the Alfa app has it, but I’ll bet something more technical, like Autoenginuity would.

 

[TMyers]

This is where not having the proper diagnostics (or knowledge of) is not good. I’m certain that there is a sweep test for the actuator. Mack/ Volvo use a very similar Holset turbo and actuator, and their diagnostics give a calibration/ sweep test. I doubt the Alfa app has it, but I’ll bet something more technical, like Autoenginuity would.

I used a Snap-On scan tool to do mine. The calibration is done in 2 stages. The first stage calls for the actuator to be connected but not installed onto the turbo. The second stage is done after the install is completed.

 

[JR]

The dealer isn't trying to rip you off. A complete turbo MSRP is $5060, just the actuator is $2995. .

M&D is selling new Holset actuators for $900. Reman go for a tick over $300.


https://www.mddistributorsstore.com/holset/4034309h/new-turbocharger-actuator-kit

It really does seem like a steep markup. I hate to accuse anyone of anything but it's almost as if FCA takes advantage of its customers.

 

[EDankievitch]

All of this bothers me. If it would be consistent I wouldn't hesitate to change the actuator. It's not though. IT works fine when it is first started, for maybe 5 - 10 miles, then it quits working. MOST of the time if i stop, clear the codes and restart it, it will work fine the rest of the day. If I just putt around the ranch, and never get up to speed, it resets itself after so many starts and stops, about 6. Parts usually fail, and stay failed. A bad wire will act like this, works then doesn't.

Maybe I am wrong about how much force it takes to move the turbo vanes? The lever seemed easy for me to operate, maybe it's not easy enough for a stupid piece of poorly designed plastic garbage.

The nice guy at City Diesel told me that after a bunch of heat and cool cycles the printed circuit board sometimes will crack. The actuator will work then not work. My unit failed on the first really cold day of fall. Once the truck was warm it wold start to work and clear the CEL lamp until the next cold morning. Electronics on a hot exhaust never a great idea...

 

[CMgoFast]

It's not difficult to R+R the actuator at all. Couple of hours.
I installed the one I got online on a Wednesday, then hit the road to MT the next day. It was in the 50s - 60s here when I left that day. It worked fine through NV and Idaho. I got to Billings, it was 60 outside. When I left Billings 2 days later, it was 12 degrees outside, and that's when the "new" actuator first failed. My thought has been it's a temp issue, I thought it might be more the turbo heating and cooling causing a slight expansion of the metal, which would cause the vanes to stick just enough to upset the actuator. I didn't think of the circuit board in the actuator. Why make such a sissy actuator anyway? Would it be that hard to make it more robust? What happened, the rest of the engine works so well you weren't making enough money on parts Cummins?

So I had a thought thinking about this at 1am. What if I unplug the actuator on the truck and plug in the old one, and drive it? Tie up the old one, out of the way, and see if it sets codes with out any resistance from the turbo. IF it doesn't set a code, then that would mean the wiring and actuator are good, and the turbo IS sticking. If it sets a code, then that actuator or wiring is bad.

OR, suck it up, buy a brand new actuator install it, and see what happens?

Thank you all for your comments, keep them coming.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[CMgoFast]

M&D is selling new Holset actuators for $900. Reman go for a tick over $300.


https://www.mddistributorsstore.com/holset/4034309h/new-turbocharger-actuator-kit

It really does seem like a steep markup. I hate to accuse anyone of anything but it's almost as if FCA takes advantage of its customers.

thanks for the link.

 

[dieselshadow]

I would think your experiment wouldn't work. The PCM would expect certain boost levels by commanding the VGT to different positions. When that boost doesn't happen, bam, more codes.

 

[JR]

thanks for the link.

Did the actuator you bought show up in a Cummins box?

 

[sag2]

M&D is selling new Holset actuators for $900. Reman go for a tick over $300.


https://www.mddistributorsstore.com/holset/4034309h/new-turbocharger-actuator-kit

It really does seem like a steep markup. I hate to accuse anyone of anything but it's almost as if FCA takes advantage of its customers.

It doesn't make sense to just Jack the price up. For every actuator theyhave to replace under warranty they have to pay the dealer $800 markup on the part. Not all the actuators are customer pay so just having the price arbitrarily high does not seem like a good business model.
But if there are good quality alternatives out there for a fraction of the price you might as well give it a try. Keep in mind the dealer is only going to use OEM and your going to pay considerably more.

 

[JR]

Sag, are you saying the Holset in the link isn't OEM?

In no way am I trying to be argumentative, just trying to understand the price delta. I've not seen a new actuator through FCA but I can't imagine it not being from the manufacturer of the turbo.

 

[CMgoFast]

it did not show up in a Cummins box. it was reman.

 

[Ozymandias]

Where from?

 

[JR]

it did not show up in a Cummins box. it was reman.

M&D also sells remans aside from the new actuator in the link above. It shows as the remanufactured part being from Cummins and shows up in a Cummins box. I don't know if it's actually done at one of their facilities or not, but it is done to their standards if they're putting their name on it.
It's the only way aside from Holset I'd go.

https://www.mddistributorsstore.com/cummins/5494878rx/remanufactured-turbocharger-actuator-kit

 

[EDankievitch]

The Chinese are really good at duplicating company Logos so the package will look like it's OEM but it's a copy. Amazon got caught with a bunch of fake Apple phone chargers a few years back. Some were causing fires. I'm not saying the reman unit you got was a fake but you have to be careful where the parts come from. I'm having an issue with a Moog steering linkage part that I got from Rock Auto. The part failed in under 5000 miles. Rock wants to send me another of the same part. I just want my money back less shipping.
I went with the City Diesel unit after reading the write up in the TDR. They are an American company. They have quite a few units out in the field in service. Yes I'm taking a chance with it but I think it's worth the risk understanding the research and development that City diesel put into it. It's a job I don't want to have to do twice.... The parts I've had to put into this truck over the last 4 months would have been a really nice deposit on a new truck.... But this one is finally paid for.... Trade in value and incentives on the New diesel F150 would have my payment below $250 a month for the next 5 years..... Tempting but No I don't want a payment.

 

[sag2]

Sag, are you saying the Holset in the link isn't OEM?

In no way am I trying to be argumentative, just trying to understand the price delta. I've not seen a new actuator through FCA but I can't imagine it not being from the manufacturer of the turbo.

I don't know who made it. I'm just saying the OEM is really $3k. Not sure why, but it is. If that price is too steep for someone there are other options available. Again just because the dealer charges MSRP for the part does not mean they are trying to rip anyone off. The dealer is only going to install OEM parts. One would not expect them to purchase aftermarket parts when their primary supplier is Mopar.

 

[TMyers]

Cummins and/or Holset is a Vendor to Mopar. Just like they are a Vendor to other companies. They wholesale their parts, both new and remanufactured, to various companies including Mopar. Margins are added to the product for profit and overhead by the selling company. I've never seen Cummins' MSRP on anything. I've only seen what Mopar said the MSRP was. I find it hard to believe that M&D can sell the same part "New" for one-third of what Mopar sells it for and M&D is still making a profit.

Either Mopar's buyers are paying way more wholesale than a customer like M&D or they are marking up their Actuators more than 300%!

 

[Wiredawg]

Cummins and/or Holset is a Vendor to Mopar. Just like they are a Vendor to other companies. They wholesale their parts, both new and remanufactured, to various companies including Mopar. Margins are added to the product for profit and overhead by the selling company. I've never seen Cummins' MSRP on anything. I've only seen what Mopar said the MSRP was. I find it hard to believe that M&D can sell the same part "New" for one-third of what Mopar sells it for and M&D is still making a profit.

Either Mopar's buyers are paying way more wholesale than a customer like M&D or they are marking up their Actuators more than 300%!

I know Mopar used to sell the Mopar oil filter for $40+ dollars and we get the better Statapore filter $12 to $15. Dealer OFTEN has higher markup than through other channels.

Just throwing out there most are not shocked at seeing that kind of markup.

Cheers, Ron

 

[JR]

I put an email in to M&D last night. Received an automatic reply that they are out of office until 12-02. I'm really curious. In the description it plainly states the manufacturer as being Holset. I'll post their response when I get one.

Here is my email from last night.

Good afternoon,

I'm inquiring about your 13-17 Ram Cummins NEW actuator # 4034309H.

Your description lists the manufacturer as Holset which insinuates it is OEM. Yet through Mopar to purchase this actuator is around $3,000 (no labor included).

Can you please elaborate on this? Are your actuators built by Holset or for Holset?

Brand new?

Thank you for your time,

 

[JR]

Double post....
Dang lousy rootin tootin service.

 

[TMyers]

I put an email in to M&D last night. Received an automatic reply that they are out of office until 12-02. I'm really curious. In the description it plainly states the manufacturer as being Holset. I'll post their response when I get one.

Here is my email from last night.

Next Tuesday, M&D will have a price increase.