I am new to this website if I am in the wrong forum please point me the right way. I have a 2005 2500 dodge diesel that overheated pulling a heavy load. Several day later the engine light came on. The code came back the wastegate. I have not lost any power and the only new problem is I smell a lot of exhaust since the engine light came on. My understanding is the Turbocharger and wastegate in a 2005 come together and cant be fixed without replacing the entire turbo unit. Can I bypass the wastegate and not damage the truck until I can afford a replacement? any help is greatly appreciated

 

Hmm smelling exhaust.. id check to make sure nothing cracked or that the clamp came loose first. The wastegate should be removable they sell aftermarket ones afterall and there are methods of testing them. Im not sure if there is a way to bypass it but wastegates arent to expensive to replace. (If that is the problem.) I would try to inspect it closer try to put your hand around those areas (from a distance) and feel if there is any blowby or if you can feel heat radiating more in a particular place then anywhere else. Hopefully you can pick up some more detail... seems like it could be a number of things by throwing the fact that you can smell it in there.

 

Yes, it can be sort of bypassed...search "boost referencing". Its a pretty simple modification. If the actuator itself has failed, that can be had from Cummins...as can the electronic control solenoid. A Cummins dealer is your friend...