My turbo stopped working

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Paras

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2022
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2012
Engine
6.7
Hello all my engine light went on and quickly discovered my turbo went out, my truck is a pampered 2012 with 125K mile Laramie, took her for a 100 mile spin and on the way back engine lights on never had any previous problems.
I removed the turbo and found the actuator was not working due to carbon/soot in the exhaust turbo, was able to clean it up with oven cleaner easily, but now I'm thinking should I replace it with a new one before I put it back in? my local dealer can supply me with a new one for about $3600.
Or should I buy an upgraded one?

Anyone out there have any experience/suggestions.

Cheers Louis.
 

Jeepwalker

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Posts
3,822
Reaction score
4,454
Location
WI
Ram Year
2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
If it were my truck, and the shaft felt good (expect about 1/8" of 'play'), I'd put it back on. Should last a lot longer than 125k miles.

Sooting of turbos can occur if used for like a lot of shorter trips and such.
 
Last edited:

chri5k

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
2,165
Reaction score
3,473
Location
USA
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Diesel
After you repair or replace the turbo try running the exhaust brake on some longer trips at least once a month. This will help keep the vanes freed up. Oh yeah, and work that Cummins at least once a month as they don't do well as a grocery getters.
 

Hagar1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2023
Posts
286
Reaction score
352
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2012 Ram 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hello all my engine light went on and quickly discovered my turbo went out, my truck is a pampered 2012 with 125K mile Laramie, took her for a 100 mile spin and on the way back engine lights on never had any previous problems.
I removed the turbo and found the actuator was not working due to carbon/soot in the exhaust turbo, was able to clean it up with oven cleaner easily, but now I'm thinking should I replace it with a new one before I put it back in? my local dealer can supply me with a new one for about $3600.
Or should I buy an upgraded one?

Anyone out there have any experience/suggestions.

Cheers Louis.
I would just clean it and use the truck for its intended purpose. Make it work. Those Cummins are designed and built to work. If they don't get "hot" they will carbon up. Remember in the early 2000's when Chrysler had an update to the idle strategy because of carbon build up on the exhaust valves? Their "fix" was to idle the engine on 3 cylinders when cold.
 
Top