A while back, I posted about Dad needing a turbo for his '01 F-250 4WD crew cab (7.3L Powerstroke, 114K miles, automatic). The Ford dealership replaced the turbo (stock rebuilt Garret), 2 boost lines, and an oil line for a little over $3000. After the repair, he's added 2,000-3,000 miles, and the fuel milage is done considerably. Also, on really cold mornings, the turbo will chatter briefly before getting quiet. The dealership told him that the noisy turbo is common after replacement, and he's calling about the reduced mileage today. It may be just me, but after the new turbo was installed, it seems to shift out of 1st way too soon also - if turning out on the road, it's hard to get on it without it dumping into 2nd. Doesn't seem to pull as hard either. Does Ford dealerships re-flash the computers or screw with them after doing mechanical work? Thanks.

 

How "bad" is the mileage? What did he used to get compared to what it is now? They shouldn't have re-flashed the computer but may have not tightened something back up right and you now have a boost leak.

And new turbos don't make any more chatter sounds than old turbos do. Whoever your dad is talking to doesn't know what they're talking about. Time for a second opinion.

 

I agree - chatter is not normal. Wonder if they did adj the wastegate correctly and boost is getting dumped most all the time.

 

Moved to 1999 - 2003 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel forum.

 

x2 there shouldn't be any chatter or noise that wasn't there before. I would also check your Exhaust Back Pressure Valve to make sure they hooked it back up.

 

Just a friendly FYI, always check here from now on if there's any problem with that rig. There's so much knowledge here that it is crazy to go anywhere else first. Heck I bet somebody has a stocker lying around or knows of one that could have saved your dad a lot of money. Heck, he could of gotten a BB for less than half!

Riffraff Diesel: Garrett GTP38R Ball Bearing Turbo

 

Dad checked the mileage yesterday - 15 mpg. Before, it got 17-18 mpg. As far as the noise, there are several people around Nashville who have experienced the turbo "chatter" briefly after starting it up on a cold morning. Next time that I'm in, I'm going to check a few things if the weather is good.

 

As far as I know, there is no such thing as turbo chatter. If a turbo chatters, it's hitting the housing and that ain't good. I have replaced my turbo with stock rebuilt one and if anything, it was quieter. Not sure what you are hearing, but have my doubts it's turbo related. Two miles per gal drop could be due to winter blend fuel. The lose in power could be due to a boost leak from poor install job. The other symptoms with the power could be IPR, fuel filter, old dirty oil and boost related. A lot of us run syn oil and that will do wonders for making cold weather starts much quieter. What oil line did they replace? Why? What was the issue that lead him to the dealer to begin with? 3k sounds extremely high.

 

Probably the HPOP lines.

 

That's what I'm guessing, but it's not a common part to replace when an oring will usually do the job.

 

Don't forget he went to the dealer.

 

That's true, I guess you pay extra for "turbo chatter".

 

Any chance you can post some of the details from the repair bill so we can see exactly what took place? NAshville, You are very close to Swamps Diesel Performance, might want to consider a stop by there......they will know in about 10 minutes.

Swamp's Diesel Performance & Technology
304-A Sand Hill Road
La Vergne, TN 37086
(About 10 miles south-east of Nashville, TN off of I-24)

here is a link:

Swamp's Diesel Performance

 

I'll get the bill and post what was done. Thanks for the Swamp's website.