Thursday, I was pulling my 6000 pound trailer home from a camping trip, I had a gross weight of about 13,000 lbs, and during the trip I noticed a significant loss of power. All seemed to be fine untill we stopped for ice cream. Re-entering the highway, I noticed an excruciatingly long turbo lag, folled by a boost level of barely 15 lbs verses the over 20 I am used to under medium hard excelleration. There was no noticable change in smoke. There may even be less smole than usual. On small hills, I could not get to 55 mph with the throttle on the floor in drive. On the flats, overdrive and 60 mph was no problem.

I am suspecting the fuel filter. Then the air filter. Then the cat (yes its still there, dang-it) I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with the ice cream.

What should I check first? hat order should I check things? How often do I change the fuel filter? I have had the truck less than 5,000 miles, but I do not know how old the filter is.

Thanks, Trooper.

 

sounds to me like the fuel filter would be a very good place to start, try changing that, and the pre-filter, see if that takes care of the problem
Mike

 

A boost leak will also act like this. If it's a leak you should be able to hear it, but not always. My boots kept creeping out from under the clamps. Once they are weak it takes a lot less boost to push them out from under. If you don't know how old the filter is you should just change out. Then you know!

 

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge? That could help you a lot in something like this. Installation is not that hard.

 

[I had the same problem coming back from california pulling 27 ft. trailer ,end changing the actuater, problem solved.

 

I chanced out the fuel filter. Solved the problem.

What is the actuator?

 

keeping an extra fuel filter in the truck is something i learned for long trips never know when you'll get a bad tank and a simple 5min on the shoulder job will get you going like new.

 

hes probably refering to the wastgate actuator being hung partially open.

 

WG actuator doesn't hang partially open - the spring is too stiff - the silicone-rubber control diaphragm ruptures, allowing Boost leak, which effects the AFC calibration, which reduces fuel, which reduces Boost with little black smoke.

Since it's an automatic, could be the compressor-to-wg tubing is loose - could be the manifold-to-AFC tubing is loose or pin-holed - could be the wg diaphragm pinholed - with 15psi Boost, more likely one of the boots is loose, or the compressor outlet aluminum elbow is loose, but those leaks are usually noisy.

Could also be bad fuel - dirty fuel filter(s) - dirty air filter.

 

well he said problem solved with the filter changed.