Looking for some input..

What I have is a 98 1/2 Dodge Dually 4x4. Lately my econony is in the basement and power is off. I've changed the air filter (it did need it) and also added some power service diesel additive to make up for the low sulfer fuel. Is there anything else I can look into. I'm still waiting to see the benefits of the filter and addititve but I thought if there was something else to look at I would get a head start.


Thanks,
Perry

Perry, I had the same problem and found a small pin hole in the rubber hose from the cooler to the turbo. It was small enough to not always be an issue, sometimes the turbo would spool up great, sometimes it seemed like I was pulling a boat anchor. I also switched over to the K&N forced air system (about $150.00) and was running about 21-23 MPG loaded or not.

Hi Perry,

Does it feel a little bit rough at idle, as though maybe one cylinder isn't making any power or not enough power?

Any leak in the exhaust manifold at the head or where the turbo bolts up?

Any leak between the turbo output and the intake manifold?

Is the wastegate on the turbo stuck open?

Can you hear the turbo spinning up when you rev the engine?

Is the catalytic converter plugged?

Is the check engine light on?

-Maurice

Does it have fuel in it?

Try retarding the ignition timing to get some of that spark-knock out of it.

Your loss of fuel economy could be a direct result of the loss of power due to a boost leak. Less boost = more pedal to try and compensate.

The smallest of boost leaks can cause a noticeable loss of power. Try pressurizing the boost system to 12 psi. Wait 10 minutes and look for a drop in psi. You should see no drop in psi at all. I've had engines hold pressure over night.

Most common leak locations are at gaskets, clamps, and where rubber couplers (holes, rips, tears, melted) are located. Snoop to find exact location if psi drop is indicated.

Fuel economy could also be injector related. Over fueling usually is an intial increase in power until too high of temperature starts to rob engine of effiency. Does engine appear to run hotter than normal?

Also look for soot marks (more than normal) around the turbo. Sometimes the turbo clamp that holds the halfs together can come loose. This is rare. I have only seen this once and it was after an ENGINEER from the vendor had worked on the turbo.

Of course the above suggestions are what we do and use to diagnose a GM diesel and may or may not be applicable to your Dodge.

They ruin EVERYTHING!!! And now there are some of them racing cars...And then some who even bring lawyers to the track with them... We're doomed...

LOL. Engineers and lawyers....they are everywhere.

Perry,

What type of motor is that one?

have a good day,

schinde

98 1/2 Cummins. 24 valve. First year (half year) of the Bosch VP44 electronic injection pump. After the fire a year and some change ago I went through the fuel system. In fact Diesel Equipment in Potterville put a new pump on that point.


I'm starting to think it's with the hoses for the Turbo. After reading Dynochicks response I realized that I haven't heard the Turbo spool like it used to for quite some time. It does act like it's running off of motor not boost.

Dynochick,

How do I pressurize the boost system?

When I check calibration of the MAP sensor I pull a vacuum line and hook it to a bicycle pump with a hose barb on the end and pump it up while watching the boost guage. You'd need a check valve in the vacuum line somewhere.

Your issue sounds like an exhaust leak before the turbo, which you'd never hear on a diesel like you would on a gas engine. Or a coked up turbine wheel, could come from a plugged turbo oil return.

I'm sorry what????

I can't hear you over this noisy bastard......

most commem is a lose hose on the pressure side,you may even hear a hiss on accleration.

Well I've checked all the hoses, added a fuel additive to make up for the low sulpher fuel, new air filter, it's a fairly fresh injection pump (changed last Feburary) along with a new filter, new lift pump at the same time, new fuel sending unit in the tank. What I haven't done yet is change the fuel filter just in case, do pressure check on the boost system (no gauge).

But what I did find was that in my Turbo it appears as though my impeller has contacted the housing slightly. But it looks like the turbo is on it's way out. Is 175,000 miles good for one of those? Also could my wastegate be causing some of this problem, the actuator looks like ass.
So far though thanks everyone for the help!


Perry

Are those IHI turbos or Garrett?

Check the center shaft for endplay, sometimes if you catch those soon enough, and if you can get a reputable turbo guy, it'll save on a rebuild. I'm not sure what the spec for endplay is on that unit, but I'd bet anything over 0.020" is bad news. A diesel one might be built looser to deal with soot, and coking.

Otherwise, I'd start looking for a good used one.

Sounds like the turbo is gone.I've got 230,000 on mine and still going strong.Have changed oil at 5,000 mi. interfulls.