My 2003 2500 Ram seized the turbo wheel. It suddenly made a loud squeal that went away quickly, the engine was running fine. Taking off from the next traffic light it squealed again. A few miles later the engine was sluggish and no longer making the usual turbo whine. I remove the air intake an verified the shaft is seized.

It appears I have a few choices:
Used turbo
New turbo
New cartridge
Rebuild my turbo

Can anyone offer a recommendation? Has anyone rebuilt a turbo that was seized? If the turbine shaft is damaged it would make the rebuild expensive. Has anyone replaced the cartridge? The truck has 312,000 miles so I am not sure if is worth rebuilding? I have seen some very inexpensive new turbos on eBay. I suspect they are imported.

Thanks
Jack

 

I’m in the same dodge boat.

My turbo is singing and a little chatter under acceleration. 130,000 miles

What to do? Again same question will a rebuild kit fix it. Will a cartridge fix it Of will I need a new turbo ?

whatever advice given I also need to know where and what brand. I am on a on a budget

 

Do a google search, numerous cartridges available

 

Turbo fixed!

I parked the truck for a while because I had another car to drive. I decided to pull the turbo,take it apart,and see what I could find. When I began removing it I noticed that the tee bolt on the band clamp for the exhaust side was broken. Looking closer I could see that the turbo cartridge was coming out of the exhaust housing on one side. I doused it with penetrating oil and pushed it in with a hammer and a block of wood. Turbo spins freely and the engine runs fine. New clamp was $20.00 on eBay. It reminded me that the same thing happened to the clamp attaching the exhaust pipe to the turbo. The exhaust did not fall off I just saw the clamp hanging there with a broken tee bolt. This new clamp has a larger tee bolt.

Jack

 

If you have a wrecking yard near you buy a used turbo from a 2004.5 to 2007 replace it. Run an ignition 12v to the wastegate solenoid and you’ll get about 30psi of boost

Use the old elbow on the exhaust of the turbo and it bolts right up

Better turbo and cheap fix. Can’t beat that

Edit: Seems like you solved it. Nice work!!!

chay