03 CR - How to check turbo?...
 

I am suspecting some issue with my turbo. I have 109k, 150 air dog, new injectors. It starts and runs good. But when I try to kick it down it has very little throttle response now. Also it blows lots of black smoke when I get on it. It has ran great in the past. I pulled the air tube off the front of the turbo, the turbo seems to turn smoothly, it is not stuck or rubbing or anything. It turn very smoothly. What else can I try to check it?...

Any other ideas what to check?...:humm:

I can make a appointment to take it in but like to do as much as I can myself. :rocking:

does it have any play in the wheel when you checked it? When mine started to go it was blowwing white smoke then i grab the center nut on the turbo and it had quite a bit of play in it

Play as in up and down side to side.

I'd suspect a boost leak.

No play in it up and down or side to side. Good and tight.

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I'm not trying to sound stupid but now that I look at this turbo set-up....what turns this system?...I mean...what makes it spin when it needs to?...It does not appear to have any electrical or mechanical part that drives it?...

I enjoy learning how these things work on my truck, I am not an expert but I am a good listener and make time for what is important to me.

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So how is a boost leak identified?
Can it be fixed?


Also, now that I am here on this turbo, what would anyone recomend if a person wanted to replace one of these?...I don't need anything crazy, just good quality. So far I have 150 air dog and 50hp upgraded injectors.

I am going to install a news exhaust system in the spring or early summer. Any suggestions?... My muffler is about shot. :pca1:

I would think if it was a boost leak you would hear it( air hissing) also check all of your hoses and make sure they are tight. Ones from your intercooler to turbo,intake horn to intercooler etc... I had one that had a hole in it but i could hear air hissing like crazy under throttle. Not sure about the 03 because i think they have a different wastegate than my 06, but i thought my wastegate was screwed upso that might be an option maybe???? do you have a boost gauge to see what you are getting for boost?

no boost gauge.

thanks for the hints though, I'll see if I come up with anything you suggested. :c:

[QUOTEI'm not trying to sound stupid but now that I look at this turbo set-up....what turns this system?...I mean...what makes it spin when it needs to?...It does not appear to have any electrical or mechanical part that drives it?...[/QUOTE]

The turbo is driven by the exhuast. The more fuel, the faster the flow, the faster the turbo spins and makes more boost.

I would check all of the rubber hoses from the turbo to the intake. Make sure the clamps are tight.

https://www.dieselbombers.com/genera...urbo-work.html

Hey veggyoilkid try to click on this link found it in another posts it will tell you exactly how a turbocharger works. also keeps us updated on what you find out

:c:Thanks alot guys, this is exactly why I like this site so much....:tu:
No I haven't fixed my truck yet, but now that I understand how the turbo works I can realistically look for what's wrong with my system. To me understanding my truck is a important as fixing something that is wrong.

Now, back to my truck to see what I can find! thanks guys....:c:

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No visible signs of air leak from loose clamps or damage to anything. All connections and hoses and air tubes look intact and in good condition.

I did find that I only have 1 of the three locking clips on the air filter cover. Could air leaking in around the cover cause this?...regardless I will find more clips and get that down good and tight.

Any other suggestions?...Maybe I need to test it with a boost gauge to see more?...

If so how expensive are they to purchase?...:humm:

I highly recemend you install a set of guages, Boost, Pyrometer, Fuel Press and Trans Temp. Autometer has all kinds of guages with different styles and are very good quality. Auto Meter Look and find the style you want and then get on the price quate forum and ask the site sponsers for prices:tu:

Black smoke and low power are signs of not enough air to support combustion of the fuel. You mention new injectors. Are they stock or did you get "bigger" injectors for more power? If you went bigger, it's possible you are throwing more fuel than your stock turbo can keep up with.

Did you actually remove the boost hoses to inspect them? There's one running from the turbo to the inter-cooler and one from the inter-cooler (on the drivers side) to the cast-aluminum intake elbow. These can burst where you can't see them installed on the truck.

Another possibility is a leak in the inter-cooler, but these are rare for the '03's.

Dumb question, but have you checked the air filter. Don't trust that stupid little "filter minder" do-dad on the intake tube. It won't get to the red untill the filter is so plugged, it would be like a marathon runner breathing through a straw. ANY restriction in air flow is a downer for a diesel engine. Be it air getting TO the turbo, air going from the turbo tho the engine or the exhaust leaving the engine after combustion. Which is a reason why aftermarket intake systems and larger exhaust systems are so popular.

This is why its vital to add guages to our trucks. Guages allow you to actually see whats going on. They are still useful even on a stock truck but more important when you start adding performance mods.

You very likely have a boost leak. Check all your intercooler clamps and the boots themselves for cuts or wear points.

have you checked to see if you are throwin any codes with the key? might have a code but no check engine light... highly suggest gettin guages tho so you can futher see whats goin on like everyone is sayin

Dragon Flow Industrial Injection, Salt Lake City Utah remanufactured injectors-503 SE 60HP

I did not take off each connection to inspection air system.
I did look at the air filter and I should replace it to make sure.
Or replace the whole filter system with a better upgrade....recommendations ???
My exhaust is still stock.

I have not had it in to see if it has any codes. Likely will do shortly. Trying the obvious simple things first.

I'm sitting here realizing that it's stupid to put in a new stock filter, if I am better off with a new upgraded filter set-up. Any suggestions?...

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Thanks for all the thoughts guys, I do really want to get some guages to watch this system, i know it's a good investment.

:tttt: :argh: :jump: :s: :rocking: my 4 year old loves these guys and had add a few (:

Now I suspect the injectors. :humm:

pull the air filter out and see how it works in a clean area only

sorry not been able to get online for a week

I have tested the intercooler and all boots and connections. I removed the boot from the trubo charger and sealed it. I removed the boot from the intake and sealed it with a pipe and air valve. Added about 15lbs. of air pressure and it all held for over 20minutes. Truck does not blow excessive smoke when I get on it. It has in the past, but the last few weeks it is not. I'm suspecting it is not getting adaquate fuel. Just my thought. Plan to take it in next week and see if it has thrown any codes.

Any way to test the waste gate in the turbo charger?...

This air dog pump is cycling lots of extra fuel through the return line [ which it has been since new, mine is a 150 ], just seems to have plenty of supply to the injection pump.
Any how, any idea's to try would be apprreciated. :pca1:

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injectors are new as of sept 09

air filter I just changed to a new K&N oiled lifetime filter, so it should be great.

Seems to run well, until as an example I pull out to pass and get on it, just seems to be starving for fuel, very little smoke, just runs like your trying to pull the moon when you really try to kick it down.

My diesel mechanic said there is a pressure release valve on the fuel rail that has caused some problems, he has ordered one for me and I plan to have that replaced and computer diagnostic made when I can.

update March 8
 

Talked to my guys at the shop today about my truck.
They were thinking it was the CP3 pump, but now they have found a leak in the fuel pressure that they are trying to find. They said they will look at the pick-up tubes to the injectors 1st and if they find nothing there they will pull the injectors and test them.

They have decent fuel pressure when starting but then quickly it falls off. The truck has still started and ran decent until you really get your foot into it, and it is just has nothing xtra to give you.

I'll post more as I get info. :w2:

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forgot to mention they also replaced the pressure release valve on the fuel rail.

The injectors tested perfectly, all have worked flawlessly. So they conclude the connection betweeen the pick -up tubes and the injectors must be leaking pressure off this system. New pick tubes are being installed along with the injectors and they will fire it up and test it all again. Man...........I hate being without my truck....!!

This sucks that you are going through all of this... Hope it gets sorted out soon!

Sure hope this fixes it. It's never simple:dang:, that would just be to easy.:argh:

could it be a bad fuel shut off solenoid?