For starters I know nothing about diesels, just own one. My lingo and part description will be layman so please bear with me.

I have a 2006 GMC Duramx. Bought it new and is in complete stock condition. 116000 miles

The other day I was getting on the highway and had to get on it a little as cars where coming. I had plenty of power and the usual little black smoke from exhaust. I then merged onto the freeway and was traveling about 65 -70 mph. I saw some unusal ( Normal cruising speed) black smoke in my mirror. I looked closer and I was smoking (Black with very little blue for what I could see) I tried to speed up a little to get around a big rig so I could pull over and bearly had the power to do it and I was pouring out the black smoke like a locamotive. As I was pulling over all the guages read normal. I shut it off and looked around for ?, nothing. I started the truck and it fired right up and idled normal, no unusal noises or smoke at idle. I shut it off again and checked the fluids. My oil stick had, maybe, 1/4 inch of oil. I have never in 6 years been lower than a quart or so. Somewhere I lost a lot of oil.
I was concerned and called for a tow. The tow driver asked if I could drive it up the ramp so I tried and had no power to even get the front wheels up. when I got home with it I called some buddies, asked questions and looked at what I could to explain more. I pulled off some lines and was able to look in them and also at the turbo turbine. I had oil on the inner walls of the lines ( intake I believe) and also in the turbo around the turbine. ( My exhaust pipe has alot more than usual, heavy carbon build up) The turbine has very little, next to none, movement side to side and up and down and zero movement in and out. It also seems to spin freely.

Could I have lost a seal in the turbo to lose that much oil or could it be somthing more simple, or worse ?

Thanks,

Rich

 

9-18-11

Well, I am not getting any responses but here is a little updated info.

I filled up on oil and was about 3 quarts low, less than I thought. I checked air filter and it is in preety good shape (clean). We got it to rev. up to about 3000 rpm but will start running rough around 2500 rpm. Still can't drive. Showing code P0299, turbo/supercharger under boost. I have done a lot of research and talked to several people and everybody seems to say bad turbo. several sites seem to talk about EGR, leaks in a line, air cleaner, etc. I am stalling so I can be sure before removal of turbo which I will probably start on tomorrow.

Thanks,

Rich

 

have you looked at the boots that connect it? you could have just popped a hole in a boot, that would cause you to lose boost and create quite a bit of black smoke and power loss.

I would go over the boots on the tubes first.

 

Thats your best bet is to check the all the connections at the turbo and the inter-cooler. Also check for exhaust leaks before the turbo, or a plugged exhaust after the turbo. If you have a scan tool that displays data, try to drive the truck up the road and monitor the MAP sensor for a smooth increase in pressure. If theres no increase and you can hear the turbo spooling, or the pressure jumps all over the place, replace the MAP sensor. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the reply guys. I pulled off all boots today and checked, everything looks ok. I should have leaked tested first but didn't. I leaked tested after reinstalling and was leaking around the boots and it seems I had to tighten clamps much more than when they came off. Will need to look further into any leaks tomorrow. As I was writing this my nephew who is a diesel mech. stopped by and took a look/listen. He is going to bring his tester tomorrw wich he says shows alot more info than the one I have and he will do a complete check on the engine. At this time truck will not rev much over 2000 rpms and is blowing a little white smoke. Will have to wait untill tomorrow for other tests.

By the way what is your oppinon on a rebuilt v new turbo if I have to go this route, is the savings worth it ?

Thanks,

Rich

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Well, GOOD news maybe. Last night after checking, cleaning and reinstalling the boots I was not having much luck. When my nephew showed up to look/listen I could not get much over 2000 rpm but did notice it was running smoother. This morning I went out and started tinkering with things, checking for leaks and things looked ok. I checked on info. regarding MAP sensor, as suggested. I pulled it off, cleaned it with a dry rag and reinstalled. I started the truck and let it idle. It sounded and idled normal as before so I hit the pedal a little and to my suprise it reved up nicely. I about **** my pants. Engine light was still on so I put on tester, and was showing #6 glow plug. I hit reset and everything cleared, no more engine light, reved up great. I took it for a spin and it seemed normal. I took it up a local small mountain road hit the pedal a little and it ran great, back to normal power. I still have a little more than usual black smoke when I hit the pedal, maybe just cleaning itself out or MAP sensor is going bad and needs replaced. I will replace it anyhow and hopefuly all is totaly cured.

With the way things went I think it was a combination of things. Boots needed checked and tightend up, (possibly leaking) MAP sensor dirty or going bad, (going to replace anyhow). As this is really the only two things I pulled off to clean and reinstall. I will let my nephew do a complete check tonight just to be sure. Hopefuly I am back on the road and can close this post.

Many thanks to the two replies as I think you guys have hit the nail on the head.

Thanks again,

Rich. G

 

Nephew can't make it untill tonight so no news on complete engine check yet. But I have put on about 200 miles since up and running again and I am having no problems, no engine light, etc.

As far as loosing the oil, maybe I lost it during incident or maybe I should check it more often than I do. I have never been that low before but truck is getting older and maybe using a little more and needs checked more often.

Will close this post for now.

Thanks for the replies,

Rich. G