I am a novice to these Dodge Diesels. Got a 98 just bought. It has the add on gauges. Pulling camper this weekend. Loss of Power, Major black smoke rolling out, pyrometer gauge climbing up to 900 to 1200, no reading on manifold pressure gauge. Do I have a Turbo going bad?? It will all of a sudden take off again and run fine, but when it acts up its a long drive for about 3 miles. Has done this (3) times over the weekend ???

 

Hmm
Normally I would say a major boost leak such as boot, intercooler, or stuck wastegate. Being it is not consistent, it mostly rules out boot & intercooler. Possibly a sticking wastegate. Does truck have an exhaust brake?

 

give us some more info on the truck?? any mods other than gauges?? & when it starts smoking the pyro jumps from 900 up to 1200degrees right???? what kind of boost pressures does it normally run??? & you say when it acts up that the boost gauge shows no reading at all right???? gonna have to think on this one a bit, in the meantime let me know about the other mods & such we'll try & get it figured out for ya!! Dusty

 

when running right. manifold pressure runs 5 to 25 psig, depending on throttle. pyrometer runs 300 to 600. when acts up no manifold pressure and pyrometer runs anywhere from 900 to 1500 and has absolutely no power and black smokes pours out. someone has added a wastegate bypass solenoid valve with switch, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. i think it has something to do with this???

 

do you have any pics of the wastegate bypass?????? & also where is your boost gauge plumbed in???? I remember a few years back alot of guys ran a T from the boost elbow port on the compressor side of the turbo, so if it's plumbed in that way along with the bypass you speak of that may explain the reasoning for the boost pressure falling off & losing the reading on the gauge?????? I'm curious as to how this bypass is tied in to say the wastegate line & such, could ya give me some more info or possibly even a picture would be great, I remember a friend of mine that had a 95' Chevy w/the 6.5 turbo diesel (junk I know, but bear with me) & if you unhooked the line to the wastegate it would smoke like a coal train, also ran hotter & had well...............if you could say it had less power than stock!!! LOL but it sounds like the same situation here, if we can just tie the gauge part of this problem into this equation???????? give me a shout back with what info. you have on the line for the boost gauge & anything else you can tell me about the bypass valve, hope I can help!!! L8er, Dusty