Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) turbo turning tan?

[kluther]

my turbo is starting to turn a darker shade of tan. is this normal ? i have 40,000 miles,slightly modified, boost upwards of 30 lbs. have i over heated it? anything to worry about?also on the intake side of the turbine wheel it looks like it has a tiny weld spot? id this how they balance them. the truck runs great ,i pull a toy hauler up grades of 6% at 4400 ft altitude .

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Its the clear coat turning brown because of high heat. No, you are not overheating it... Remember, when you turbocharge the air, the temperature goes way up. It will be over 300 degrees when it leaves the turbo. If you do lots of towing, it will turn brown sooner because you are spending more time under heavy boost.



Solution: Paint your turbo black.

 

[Tom G]

Turbo Sun Tans

And all this time I thought it meant - the engine was finally broken in



Just kidding of course. My turbo is also turning a nice sun tanned brown after pulling my 5er for awhile. Pretty normal I would think. Some of the hills in Colorado will really make the Cummins earn it keep.



Got to love these engines - they love to work

 

[JR2]

My stock turbo did this, turned kind of baked chicken skin brown. I have since replaced it twice and these trubos have not had time to trun brown.



Just so you know I did not blow any of my turbos up, just upgrading to follow my motto... bigger, better, faster, more