My 2006 F350 6.0 is not new to me. I've had it for about 20K miles. We tow a 13,000# RV and the truck weights about 10,000# loaded.

It doesn't seem like it develops as much power as it should when I am pulling up hill. When it slows down going uphill, I notice that the turbo pressure seems to max out at about 22psi although the 'red line' on the gauge is closer to 35. The truck has about 103,000K on it now. I'm wondering if the seals might be worn.

I literally lose no water in months of use on this vehicle so don't suspect any head gasket problems.

Is there some way to test the turbo without pulling it and sending it off somewhere? Maybe some specific driving actions that should put the turbo pressure up near the max?

 

The 6.0 forum will have something in the tech folder for turbo removal, and cleaning. I'm guessing yours is full of carbon and not letting the vanes open completely. I could be wrong as I'm no 6liter mechanic but I've read a lot about them and have a few buddies with em. If your using mobile version I can get you a link

 

Carbon clogging makes some sense to me and I hadn't really thought of that option. I'll do some more research on cleaning the carbon out of them, but I would think that would entail removal and if I go that far I'll probably send it out and have it rebuilt. Of secondary concern is a turbo failure that lunches the engine while we are out on the road somewhere far from home with a 5th wheel trailer attached. A rebuilt turbo would alleviate that somewhat.

 

Moved to the 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel forum.

 

You won't get to that max number on a stock truck, or even just a tuned truck for that matter. The factory tuning limits boost. I don't think your problem has anything to do with the turbo.

FYI, a good way to keep the vains from sticking on these trucks is to really exercise the turbo at least 1 time a month. To do this, once at operating temps, get on the skinny pedal hard and get the turbo to go to max boost (22-25 PSI) and let off, do that a few times to really get those vains moving.

 

Texans > Thanks for the info. I'll try that and see if it improves any.