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[Bigsexy]

It started actin like this last week so I did the soap test and found my driverside plenum leaking. So I resaeled them both to find out I'm still having the same issue and nothins changed

 

[lincolnlocker]

as in the plenums are leaking again? how long did you wait to start and drive it after the reseal?

 

[Bigsexy]

I don't know if there leaking again, I will know later today when I recheck them. I always try and wait atleast 8 hrs before starting the truck after resealing the plenums. This time they set up for about 24hrs before I started it

 

[golfer]

are you dealing with a gauge issue or an engine/actual boost leak issue?

10-15psi of boost equates to about 100-150 rear wheel horsepower...which would be a total DOG...

is the truck a total pig on the road...as in it may only really be making a hundred or so horsepower??

if the truck runs ok...then it may just be a gauge issue....you didn't mention checking the backside of the boost gauge to check the line/fitting there...try putting regulated air pressure to your gauge to compare readings...

or when you do the leak test...compare the pressure that you are using to check for leaks ON the gauge in the cab.

also, does the turbo SOUND like it's only making 10-15psi of boost? ie..can you hear the turbo surging/fluttering as your gauge is bouncing around with inconsistent and low pressure readings?

aside from exh manifolds/up-pipes on the hot side of things...

intake plenums, boots, clamps, Y-pipe, compressor outlet o-ring..

we've even seen the rubber intake boot from the air filter to turbo inlet collapse under load that would cause similar issues...

 

[Bigsexy]

I finally got to work on my own truck tonight and didn't find a boost leak. I'm thinking its a sensor of some sort now. I'm going to bring my motus home from the shop and check some live data and see if I can chase down a problem. If I wasn't 45mins from my shop id drive it. If I can't find the problem tommorow its getting towed to the shop

 

[Bigsexy]

So I tried swapping out the map sensor today and didn't change anything. I hate to say though there aren't many signs other then a slight squil I heard the other day, but I think my turbo is gone.

 

[TARM]

Take it off and send it in to someone to check. How high of pressure did you test the system to. If the issue starts @ 15psi then IMO you would need to test to at least that pressure. I have seen some slit boots that did not seem to leak until pressure was up and then they would open up and reseal when boost got lower.

Have you checked the drive side as well as Golfer mentioned?

THe idea of a screwed up wastegate IMO sounds like a possibility.

 

[Bigsexy]

We do what I like to call a redneck boost test. I put it in 4low and boost the truck up to 15lbs. I don't hear any fluttering in the wastegate. Then turbo had made a squelling sound about 3 or 4 days a coucle times before I started noticing the issue, but if hasn't done it since then. The only oem boots left now are the ones connecting the intercooler to the pipes. I have an aluminum sided intercooler. Does anyone have a good way of testing it? I could probably come up with something the test it with, just thought id get some ideas first.
How do you test the wastegate?

 

[Powerstroked162]

Pressure. Check. The. System.

 

[lincolnlocker]

with the motor OFF so you can hear the leaks

 

[TARM]

Use a short section of PVC that fits the intake boot on the turbo. Glue a PVC end cap on that short, say 1 foot long, piece of PVC. In the center of that cap drill a hole slightly smaller than a compressor male fitting. Put some silicon sealant on the fittings threads and some in the drilled hole edged. Force screw the fitting into the hole. AFter its iin you can add another bead of silicon around the edge if you feel its needed inside and out. Let it dry. Clamp it into the intake boot and get everything good and tight so it does not blow off at lower pressure. Hook it up to your air compressor hose and set your regualtor on the compressor to 15 psi and slowly open the valve. If you do not have your comp setup with a ball valve you could add it to the end cap and then thread the comp fitting into it. However you want to do it as you should have the idea.

Now listen and also make a heavy dishsoap and hot water mixture in a spray bottle and soak all the possible fittings boots etc.. Look for bubbles or air escaping sounds. Slowly raise the pressure to say 20 or till it blow the boot of which ever comes first.

If there is nothing found then the system is good, if not repair the leaks you find or if the waste gate pops open you have your issue.

The squeal you heard from the turbo was it more a metal on metal sound or could it have been stall or surge?

 

[Bigsexy]

Ok so we pulled my turbo Saturday and doesn't seem to be the problem. I was told the back side of the compressor could be gone and to check that. I didn't see any issue with the turbo. So I'm going to pressure check the rest of the system with a gauge set up starting with the plenums, pressurizing each one by itself then putting it back together checking each stage. I'm going to turn my air down to 25 and check my wastegate while its off and see what she does. I'm beginning to think it may be a computer issue, but to be on the safe side I'm going to check it all one last time

 

[Bigsexy]

So got her all put back together and tried swapping my ipr with a good one to see if anything changed and I'm still fighting the same problem.

 

[Bigsexy]

So after all the b.s. I went thru it ended up being a clogged filter. I've had the filter about 6 months so I didn't think it would nave been the filter.

 

[lincolnlocker]

what filter?

 

[TARM]

air or fuel?

can not see an air filter doing that. Power and boost would just be down unless somehow it was causing severe surge somehow??

 

[Bigsexy]

It was a a k&n cone air filter. Most of my driving up here is mostly unpaved roads or fields, so I'm thinking that had something to do with the clogged filter. We took the filter off to see if it was pulling any air, felt that its was sucking better. I then tried boosting it went all the way to 25lbs. Put the filter on and couldn't get up past 12lbs. I also noticed that the boot on my 38r was sucking closed. Put a differant filter on the truck. Hooked the modus up and drove it for about 30mins. She runs like an alter boy from a priest. Everything looked good on the modus as well. I know when I started this whole process I had a small leak in the plenum, which was fixed the first time I took her apart. That was an issue I've had for some time I just never had time to fix.

 

[Bobby@cp]

Funny how the simpliest thing can give you big problems.....

 

[lincolnlocker]

get rid of that k&n before you dust your turbo... put a Donaldson on and you will never have that problem again....

 

[Bigsexy]

I was thinking the same thing, where do you all get the donaldsons from? Im going To try and start fabricating my own Stage 2 based off an afe were getting ready to put in my buddys truck.