Turbo / Exhaust Brake Gremlins

[Dalehacker]

Looking to see if anyone has had a simular condition and if so how it worked out. Truck is a 2016 with 40k miles. I leave the exhaust brake turned on full time and also use it for the quick warm startup. I got a no communication error code and replaced the turbo actuator with a city diesel unit from genos. About a week later when i went to pre heat the truck the actuator kept trying to calibrate even after cycling the key several times. I went ahead and started the truck. The boost, response and exhaust brake all worked as normal. The self calibration and noise had stopped. Now several weeks later the exhaust brake failed to come on during the cold start and during the 3 mile drive before the engine was shut down. Upon restarting the engine to return home it worked as normal. During this time as before the boost and response was normal. I noticed that on several occasions when it was cold in the mornings the exhaust brake would cycle open and closed as opposed to a steady sounding back pressure like it used to. The truck does not get driven much but we have plans for some trips this spring with the camper and boat. I am just trying to make sure we dont get stranded far from home. Im out a chunk of money in parts now and until today when the exhaust brake failed the performance has been normal. As stated all of the problems have occured when the temperature is low and on a cold start. I just replaced both batterys in January and feel confident voltage is normal for a diesel with the grid heater cycling. Anyhow just asking if anyone else had had a simular experience with a low mileage truck and or with the city diesel actuator. Note, only reason for the new actuator was the no communication code. performance was normal and the exhaust brake worked normal. When I changed out the actuator the shaft on the turbo moved from end to end with little pressure.

 

[JLandry]

Just curious how many miles and months have you put on the City Diesel turbo actuator since installing it?

 

[Bromiley99]

I put that actuator on a friends truck last fall, he is having similar issues. Haven’t had a chance to really work on it since.

 

[Dalehacker]

Just curious how many miles and months have you put on the City Diesel turbo actuator since installing it?

a little over a month and around 600 miles

 

[JLandry]

Dale,

If you don’t get an adequate answer here, I think a telephone call to City Diesel might be in order.

Please keep us posted with whatever you discover.

John L.

 

[Dalehacker]

Dale,

If you don’t get an adequate answer here, I think a telephone call to City Diesel might be in order.

Please keep us posted with whatever you discover.

John L.

Already did, they are saying bad turbo. As stated above boost and turbo response is normal. This combined with the low miles im not convinced. Just asking around to see if others have had simular experiences. Im leaning towards a cold weather electrical issue. Today its 44 degrees and no issues.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Well if your turbo was bad, it would be bad regardless of temps. Big question, what changes within the ECU with regards to when temps drop below certain degrees? Grid heaters but I believe they kick in until temps are in the upper 50's. What else???

 

[Topzide]

Grids are enabled to around mid 60's i believe. Seen mine want to come on when air temp gauge said above 60.