Hey guys,

I need some help. To be honest, I'm pretty new with the diesels, so bare with me.

I've got a 96 3500 SLT, 5.9 diesel dually.

My main complaint is a lack of power, more so recently.

Unloaded(no trailer), it bogs when I head up any kind of hill, I mean it downshifts, etc. I thought it may be the turbo just not working. I thought the wastegate actuator might be stuck, or seized, so I was told to add 25-35 psi of pressure from my garage compressor to the actuator, and I then saw that it sure does open the butterfly valve.

Now knowing that the actuator needs 25 psi to open, I hooked up a psi gauge to see if it was getting the 25 psi that it needs. I went for a ride with the gauge set up. Sure enough it's only getting 8 to 10 at the most.

What was most evident is that the power is the same with or without the actuator hooked up, so my turbo just isin't getting the pressure it needs to make it work.

My question is:

What supplies the pressure to the actuator? Is it a compressor of some sort? Is my problem a lack of supplied pressure, or a loss of pressure somewhere?

Let me know what you think. Remember, I'm new with the diesels, so hang in there.

Thanks

 

Your turbo should create about 22 PSI of boost at maximum load. Your PSI might be escaping through holes or loose clamps in your intake system downstream of the turbo.

 

I would be looking at your turbo piping for leaks, check fuel system (fuel filter), Exhuast your cat may be plugged up The turbo should not give you much trouble.

 

The actuator gets boost pressure from a line that runs across the top of the engine to the intake manifold, the pressure is supplied by the turbo. Like the first 2 guys said, you probably have a boost leak somewhere, check all the clamps, make sure the boots (the short hoses that connect the pipes to the intercooler) haven't popped off and don't have holes or tears. It's also possible that you have an exhaust restriction. A bad turbo makes bad noises and/or smokes, turbo is fine on your truck.

 

Blown exhaust gasket will do exactly what you are refering to!!

 

8 second ride??

In a 96 CTD??

 

That's how long he tries to stay on the bull. I'm a city boy and I know that much.

 

Thanks guys,

I'll be checking for leaks soon, anywhere really.

Any more help would be great.

 

I think he's talking 8 secound bull rides not 1/4 mile ram rides. Check your rubber piping on the turbo lines from the turbo, also do you have the stock exhuast?

 

For what its worth, I have been having a power loss as well. I guess I can't see how a leak in the actuator hose would cause a problem with power loss...

Wouldn't a leak prevent the wastgate from dumping boost? Please correct me if I'm wrong on that!


Anyhow...not 1/2 an hour ago I was looking over the actuator hose and found it had been rubbing slightly against the body of the truck where the hose loops furthest down. I had put a vacuum on the hose and actuator and found it was leaking from one of the two components. So I decided to remove the hose to try to isolate the leak. I didn't see the small hole until I removed the hose out of the truck.

I replaced the hose with a slightly shorter version (to reduce rubbing) and the leak was fixed.

No improvement on the subsequent test drive though.

I guess I have my own power loss questions, but I'll ask in a separate thread.

Good luck.

 

Bad fuel. I ran into this problem this spring. I chased everything. Boost leaks, Cracked intercooler. Fixed that...still no better, went of the fuel return/delivery lines at the back of the engine. When doing these lines, I removed the fuel filter. When I dumped it out, I found what looked like graphite in the fuel! Critters. Little bio-organsims that live in the layer between the Diesel Fuel and small ammount of water. Diesel fuel actually has water impregnated within it, so they can live on that as well. Long story short....I put some biocide in the fuel, and within 70 miles it cleared up. That's always my first stop when checking low power. Get a cup, and use the fuel filter drain into the cup. Take a look. You might be supprised!

Josh