6.7L losing Boost and exhaust brake.

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Jordan Ram 3500

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2015
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6.7L Cummins
I took my truck with my fifth wheel to Tucson, Az this weekend. Drive there, zero issues. Unhooked and drove around for the weekend. My first issue was yesterday when we got done with lunch, the CEL came on, for the first time ever. Was curious so I pulled in and filled up with fuel and popped the hood, all was good. Started it back up and light had cleared, and drove fine back to camp. Today, the CEL comes back on. I noticed the truck is wanting to downshift a lot, which is unusual. Turbo was putting out very little boost, a range of about 1-12 lbs. I was still able to maintain 70 mph without getting anything hot so I kept going but I also noticed the exhaust brake was not engaging. I drove it about 110 miles to Phoenix, symptoms consistent the entire way. Pulled over in Phoenix for a bit, restarted it and light is not back on. Drove the remaining 280 miles home with zero issues.

Any ideas? Would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks,
Jordan
 

maxx442

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2022 Ram 3500
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6.7 H.O.
Actuator and/or turbo is going out. Went through the same issue with my 2013 before I traded it in. Possibly a programming issue, not likely though. The VGT turbos tend to get gummed up and put more strain on the actuator. My first CELs were "actuator exceeded learning limit" and turbo not communicating". My diesel mechanic told me that if the actuator was still good he could do a cleaning on the turbo, but it would only be a band-aid for the turbo issue. I ended up having to put a reman turbo (about $3700 with labor) in since I was out of warranty. Yours should still be under warranty depending on your miles.
 

SyN

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Jordan: Max could have easily answered your issue.

I myself have a question: Do you engage your engine brake every time you drive?
I was given advice - with this VGT turbo it's wise to drive with the exhaust brake/engine break (whatever you want to call it) engaged most of the time to help keep this part of the turbo some what freed up.

whether it was good advice or not!
I have done this from day one - not so much in town but highway/interstate driving its engaged every time.
 
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OP
J

Jordan Ram 3500

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Actuator and/or turbo is going out. Went through the same issue with my 2013 before I traded it in. Possibly a programming issue, not likely though. The VGT turbos tend to get gummed up and put more strain on the actuator. My first CELs were "actuator exceeded learning limit" and turbo not communicating". My diesel mechanic told me that if the actuator was still good he could do a cleaning on the turbo, but it would only be a band-aid for the turbo issue. I ended up having to put a reman turbo (about $3700 with labor) in since I was out of warranty. Yours should still be under warranty depending on your miles.

Ok, luckily I only have 57k miles on it. I'll take it in and talk with service about it. Thanks for your input!

Jordan
 
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Jordan Ram 3500

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Jordan: Max could have easily answered your issue.

I myself have a question: Do you engage your engine brake every time you drive?
I was given advice - with this VGT turbo it's wise to drive with the exhaust brake/engine break (whatever you want to call it) engaged most of the time to help keep this part of the turbo some what freed up.

whether it was good advice or not!
I have done this from day one - not so much in town but highway/interstate driving its engaged every time.

Hello, I will periodically turn the exhaust brake on while driving around town, but I am certainly going to start now, because I definitely don't want to be performing turbo work every 57k miles.. lol
 

Strange Ram

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Is the Turbo covered under warranty at 57K miles?
 

maxx442

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2022 Ram 3500
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6.7 H.O.
Jordan: Max could have easily answered your issue.

I myself have a question: Do you engage your engine brake every time you drive?
I was given advice - with this VGT turbo it's wise to drive with the exhaust brake/engine break (whatever you want to call it) engaged most of the time to help keep this part of the turbo some what freed up.

whether it was good advice or not!
I have done this from day one - not so much in town but highway/interstate driving its engaged every time.

I turn my Exhaust /engine brake on every time I start my truck. I was given the same advice as you were, SyN. Whether it was good advice or not I don't know since I had to replace the turbo on my '13.
 

mtnrider

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I turn my Exhaust /engine brake on every time I start my truck. I was given the same advice as you were, SyN. Whether it was good advice or not I don't know since I had to replace the turbo on my '13.

Turning on the exhaust brake is the advise everyone seems to give, and while it certainly doesn't hurt I don't think it's going to stop an actuator from failing if it is destined to do so. I do think it helps a little but I don't think that is the answer to keeping one from failing.

The reason I say that is I have monitored the turbo position while driving with it off and on and even with the exhaust brake off the turbo veins still move the full range of motion during normal driving. The exhaust brake will close the veins all the way more often but they still do close even with it off.

I could be wrong but watching the data tells me the veins are still moving quite a bit without it so they are getting "exercised".

.
 
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