Turbo noise I think

[DGamelin]

I think I might have a turbo issue. I am hearing something like a whistle with a flutter. It happens when you are neutral on power speed doesn't matter. It sounds like an air valve fluttering. What kind of miles have you guys got out of your trubos?


2000 xc 2wd 355 auto
04.5 3500 4wd cc dully 6speed 373

 

[BLNRAY]

ck for boost leaks before you spend a bundle for a turbo.396,000 on my oem.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Make sure that the wastegate if operating correctly, I had a similar sound, found out the HARD way that the gate was stuck closed, exploded the charger, shards went through the cooler into the intake and stuck the valves open enough that the engine would not run. Cost a new charger,cooler,valve job.roughly $6500 parts and labor.

 

[jelag]

With the truck in neutral and the clutch engaged..... could you be hearing either the bearings in the transmission and/or a worn disc.... as the plastic parts in a disc wear... the disc can make noise...

 

[DGamelin]

It is nothing like the trans, I did check for leaks but I didn't check the wastegate as soon as I have a spot in the shop I am going to look at that. The end play in the in the turbo shaft is well over 0.020 side to side. I think the impeller is rubbing at 0 boost. With no load on the shaft it floats around for a bit. I didn't see any obvious sings rubbing but that doesn't mean it is not rubbing on the inside somewhere. When you pull the shaft side ways it looks like you can close up the side gap. I think it is time for a turbo I just don't want to believe it. At 206000 miles seams a bit soon. I was changing the oil and seen the injection pump has fuel leaking. The repairs just wont stop on these trucks.

 

[JJPage]

Radial play in the turbo shaft is acceptable, as long as the turbine or compressor wheel is not coming into contact with the housing. Axial play is not tolerated, axial play as small as 1/32" and less can pass oil and cause issues. With the turbo at rest, the shaft should "float around" a bit, because a turbo with journal type bearings is designed in just that manner.

I would do a very thorough inspection of the charger before replacing, however 206000 miles is not necessarily low service, depending on conditions...

 

[DGamelin]

This truck does work hard it's not a grocery getter. It's probably had a trailer hooked to it 70-80% of it's life. I'm sure this turbo has glowed a quite a few times. 0.020 is what Cummins says is maximum play and it's well over double that. Unfortunately I don't have the time to take it apart and inspect it. If it comes out of the truck I'd have to have another one to put in it and I'd look at it later. I'm curious what kind of miles guys have gotten out of their turbos, I expected more. I would tell a customer to put a turbo on before you end up regretting it. It's a lot easier to diagnose this stuff when you're not the one paying for it.