3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007 5.9 liter Engine and drivetrain discussion only. PLEASE, NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

Turbo Cleaning

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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 06:43 PM
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From: Upstate, SC
Turbo Cleaning

So I removed my silencer ring tonight after I got home from work. While it was apart I decided to inspect the turbo a little. There was no appreciable play in the compressor wheel, axial or radial, and the blades were all smooth, but the blades are dirty. I think it is brake dust that has gone through the factory filter. I wiped them clean as best I could with a lint free shop towel moistened with a little water. I was thinking though, we used to wash jet engines out in the Navy by spraying water into them while they were running. I wonder if a person was to get a clean spray bottle with water in it and start the truck with the intake removed and spray some water in the inlet if that would cause any issues? Before I get flamed, I didn't do that, but I am considering it. Thoughts?

BTW the truck has 78K miles on her.
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 06:54 PM
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From: manteca ca
why not we spary large amounts of water on the intake side of the engine thats the ext side so.... but thats me lol
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 07:20 PM
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I wouldn't spray water into the motor.
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 07:32 PM
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I'm not talking about dousing it with a hose, I'm talking about a hand spray bottle like a windex bottle or something.
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 07:43 PM
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i have never had a dirty turbo with a good filter are you sure you do not have a k&n or afe filter in there
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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I don't think the residue (spelling) really effects it. I see what you're saying about a spray bottle. It probably won't hurt it. But will it throw a code?

Last edited by stock03; Oct 9, 2008 at 07:48 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 07:49 PM
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Nope, only the stock Mopar filter, ever. I change them way before they are very dirty too. I am on my 5th or 6th filter in 78K miles and she is a pavement queen. My right front brake makes a LOT of dust and the factory intake gets it's air from that fender.
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Old Oct 9, 2008 | 10:24 PM
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Were the blades oil dirty or just dusty???
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 07:35 AM
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They had dry black dust on them. Most of it came off with the damp shop towel. I'm pretty sure it's brake dust.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:40 AM
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You would have no issues squirting water at the compressor while running. Fired wash on a jet engine uses straight water or a water Diesel (JP-5) mix.

Personally I would use a soak wash method. Just wash/spray the compressor with a degreaser, let soak then rinse. If it is still dirty then do it again. Once it is clean enough then start the truck to make sure it is dry.

A word of warning is do not flood the intake to the point you get standing water past the turbo.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 09:39 AM
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I sprayed brake cleaner on mine and let it soak and the fins look fine. BTW - I didn't do it while it was running....
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 11:05 AM
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My turbo looks the same way,dry black dust on the fins. I change my filter sooner than recommended too. I also use the stock filter. I think if some of you guys went and pulled the tube off of your turbo you'de find the same black dust. My truck has 30,000 miles,I noticed the black fins at about 10,000 miles. I don't think they make a filter that stops EVERYTHING.
To answer the question,I'm not sure about spraying it with water.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 12:20 PM
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If you are getting that kind of dirt past a stock filter, you might want t check your intake for leaks. Dirt like that can be fairly common with some of the after market filters, but it shouldn't be happening with a stock filter.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 01:58 PM
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Already checked mine. Everything is tight,funny thing is the inside of the tube and lid are really clean.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 07:18 PM
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The dust that several like myself have seen is smaller than the filter can catch. If you had a filter that could stop it you would have greatly reduced air flow. Next time I open up the intake I will water wash it and let you all know how it works out.

BTW, the silencer ring doesn't really change the sound with a stock intake.
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