DRam11

This is a follow up on my last post and the advice given. I was in the beginning stages of pouring concrete for a new garage at the time and haven't had time until now to look over the pickup. Thanks to those who answered I had some direction to go. An examination shows the diaphram in the wastegate actuator is shot, allowing all boost signal to escape to atmosphere. The mechanic who looked at things disconnected the line to the actuator and plugged that line downstream from the T connector, thus providing a boost signal to the AFC. That got me home with ample power, but means the wastegate will not open. I'm still not sure why the clouds of smoke. It's obviously because of a rich mixture at heavy throttle and low boost because the smoke disappears as the turbo spools up.

I'm going to replace the actuator - if I can get one. The local parts house and Dodge dealer both tell me the actuator isn't available, Rocky Mountain Cummins is on the trail of one, but is a little pessimistic. They are saying that most times the actuator isn't sold separately and one has to buy a turbo to get it. Their parts man is calling me back in the morning with definet news on that. If one is available they go for about $140.00. That beats the $600.00 or so they quoted for a turbo though.

Once that is taken care of I can start checking out the AFC. I have a sneaking suspicion the first mechanic to work on my outfit set the wastegate to open later, providing more boost, and then cranked up the fuel output on the AFC to match. Does that make sense?

Anyway, in another few days the parts needed should be here and work can procede.

gunracer1

it just sounds like the afc has been slide forward and may be it has had a plate change. i would not worry about the waste gate being blocked off. on a stock truck it is fine. you really don't need it till you are getting 36 or more pounds of boost.
and is this your first diesel truck? many people drive a diesel like a gas motor and that will smoke more than usally when it has some fueling mods. i have to drive my truck with a very light right foot or it is a big time smoke show.

v8440

Yeah, wastegate being blocked off will not produce more smoke. I second the idea of backing off on the starwheel, and maybe the plate.

Lil Dog

If it smokes like crazy, the prev owner could have pulled the plate completely out.. Not a good idea either and I found typical of some of the backwoods mechanics think thats the best idea out there.. Dunno why..

TxDiesel007

all of the responses above are good solutions...

If it has alot of smoke also, perhaps it has a boost leak somewhere as well, It might not hurt to go ahead and check the intercooler boots for tears, or disconnections. I know that i have blown the hose on the intake hat that connects the boost tube to the intake hat and i had WAYYY more smoke than usual.

Check the top of the AFC housing to see if it has been tampered with, if the breakaway screw is still there (upper left when looking from the left side of the engine perpendicular to truck) If it hasnt then chances are that your plate hasnt been messed with nor the AFC housing, if not then u can rule a possibility that your plate, and AFC are possibly moved forward from the stock location.

If they are you can back them off. The starwheel, can be tightened as well to reduce low end smoke.

A completely gutted AFC is also possible. If you can pull it off and it has no arm or little rack, then there is ur answer... hope these help

Rick