I went with a powermax stage 1 and had the dealership near me install it. They have installed several aftermarket parts for me when I am being too lazy or I don't want to mess it up.

After picking it up I am now seeing a lack of power, slower throttle response, higher EGTs, and there is a slight burning oil smell.

Any ideas what could be the cause?

 

Do you have a boost gauge? Curious if you have a leak in up pipes which is easy to have happen, I know the oil smell should go away after a little while

On start up when I had leaks in my up pipes ,my truck sounded like a Cummings 5.9

 

Most folks who put in a Powermax turbo have the same issues. I put one in and put up with it for a number of months. The truck couldn't get out of it's own way. Finally I bit the bullet and got a tune for it. Most everyone had told me I was going to need a tune, they were correct. All was good after that.

You are going to need a tune.

Mine smelled at first also, just burning off any of the coating from manufacturing. It went away.

 

^^^^ needs a tune^^^^

 

I figured I would need a tune but I did not think it would perform this badly. Without one.

I do run SCT Livewire with the canned tunes but they do not make a difference at this point.

 

Boost levels are not as high as they were before, but not too far off. I was pushing almost 35lbs, but most were telling me that was not normal and my turbo was about to go out. I am now seeing 29lbs.

 

My powermax did have lower boost than stock and acted like u describe, it does need a tune to really make it shine. your peak boost sounds right, 35lbs your old one was ready to lift your heads

 

Don't forget that running a tune may employ ways to fool the truck into thinking it's making 28lbs, so the wrench doesn't come on. And as discussed, be ready for high boost... studs oh yea!

 

UPDATE:

I did the VGT relearn process twice since I am sure I messed something up the first time. The truck is running much better now. The shop did find a slight oil leak from one of the gaskets on the turbo and they are fixing that tomorrow. Hopefully that will salve all of my issues.

 

Good to know. Hope it solves some of the issues for you.


I didn't notice where you lived until just now. We are in Gettysburg. Came for the weekend. Pulling out tomorrow.

 

35 lbs, wow i did not know a 6.0 could even stay together at that boost level with only 4 bolts per hole be studs or not.

 

Well crap, if I knew that I would have stopped by and say hi.

I had several people tell me it was pretty high but I figured it hasn't broken yet....well I can't say that anymore.

 

So this is an 03?? I've had massive issues with the 03 Pm. Finally I took one of them apart and was shocked at how the unison ring grooves for the veins are not a smooth transition like later models pm's. It kinda makes a "v" in the grooves. I think it sticks halfway. Needless to say,, I don't offer 03 pm's nor will I install them. Just my $.02.

 

Yup, it's an 03. We will see how not performsure over the next few weeks. Between now and Sept, we have about 10k miles to do while towing our TT.

 

All right, so we made it to Dallas from Baltimore towing our TT that came in at about 13k lbs. I am not really happy with the turbo at all. It seems like my boost is still extremely low, not making more than 18lbs even with it floored going up a hill.

Egts are also running higher. I used to see about 1000 when towing, now i am 1200-1400. Fuel mileage has dropped as well.

So I am still seeing less power, less boost, higher egts, less fuel mileage. Using new tunes from Gearheads that I purchased after the turbo. Anyone have an idea on where I should start looking for the problem?