Hey guys, just got back from a trip across the state to see the Miami boat show! Truck was running just fine on the trip over, EOT/ECT delta around 9* (seems a little high to me, Im hoping because im running 35's, but can someone back me up on this?)
On the trip back, cruising at 70, I noticed the check engine light went on... I didnt have it under heavy throttle or obscure circumstances... My ScanGauge 2 showed that I had a P0299, which as Ive read means something relating to underboost?
I cleared the code (bad idea or good idea?) And the CEL never showed again in the last 100 miles...

Could this just be a quirk? Or should I be more worried about it?
Thanks guys.

 

P0299 can be over/under boost. Odds are the turbo is starting to stick. Could be VGT solenoid but my money is on the turbo. Been there done that 4 times in the time I had my 6.0.

 

So whats the legit fix? New turbo? Or is it possible for me to take it off and clean without jeopardizing screwing something else up?

 

Just went through this myself, the turbo veins need to be cleaned. On the VGT setting on the scan gauge at cold start idle you should see 85, wide open throttle 15. After cleaning mine that is the very first time I have seen 85.

 

Is it wrong of me to postpone the cleaning until I see the code pop up again? Im crossing my fingers that it was a one time thing...

 

It is not "wrong" to postpone the cleaning. But it will probably need to be done eventually if the code did pop up. This is NOTHING to worry about. Very minor.

This is not entirely true. Sticking "vanes" actually are a symptom of the 14-15 at WOT or 85 at idle. This is the PCM telling you the current position of the turbo vanes. Doesn't mean it is actual, but it is all you have to go on.

The 15 at WOT throttle is okay to see for a moment and usually happens when you have no muff or kitty cat.

At this point, a turbo cleaning is all that is needed. Once you open up the turbo and inspect it, then you will see the health of the internal workings. From there you can figure out if sometime down the road you will be needing a reman turbo. But I doubt that will be needed.

Unison ring could end up needing to be replaced. But you won't know for sure until you open up the turbo.

Believe it or not, this is one of the less expensive fixes, just time consuming, and if you take your time it can be done in 4-6 hours from start to finish (in and out).

I cleaned mine for around $15. Just used my Dremel, used clean shop rags to plug the ports.

I did not buy the "turbo cleaning kit", I found that what that kit comes with is pointless for $30 plus.

After cleaning mine, I have not had any issues and it has been about 1yr 4months since cleaning.

Good luck - Preston

 

Lining up the Unison ring, veins and housing can be a chore, take your time, mark the case with a sharpie for reference.


Cleaning the turbo makes all of the difference.

 

Will it be a noticeable driving difference?

 

If your vanes are sticking it will be.

I just cleaned my turbo because I had to remove for an HPOP change. I watched like three or four videos on how to do it. The hardest part was getting it physically out and back in because I got a bum shoulder.

Just get some Permatex antiseize, some carb cleaner, and some rags. It helped me by lifting the up pipe and blocking with some wood underneath the truck to keep the pipe's top lip off the back of the turbo once the v-clamp was off.

 

Oh yes, mine is running like a scalded dog.

 

Interesting! Maybe I wont postpone this then, hahahah

 

Same problem as you, right shoulder can only take so much so did the old block o'wood trick

Seems to me I somehow wedged it between the frame and pipe, but at any rate it worked like a charm, gave me just enough to get things lined up

 

If you are going to do this, I would make sure to get a turbo mounting kit that comes with new bolts and the gaskets too. The oil feed line should get resealed once you're in there since the gasket and o-ring can get damaged and also the bolts can break off or strip. You can always return the kit if you don't end up using it. It would just really suck to have a problem and not have it available.

I think it was the crossmember that the tranny mounts to that I was able to put some wood on to prop up the up pipe

 

If you take the turbo off... use the kit. You'll need to replace the oil feed gasket and both rings on the oil drain back tube or chance a huge leak.

 

Here is the turbo mounting kit. This is one we should all have in the toolbox as a spare. Pretty cheap insurance if you have a weekend project and don't need anything else.