7.3 bad boost problem
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
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7.3 bad boost problem
ive noticed my boost has been going down lately. At first I thought it was a boost leak so I replaced all the intercooler boots and both sides of the intercooler pipes. That diddnt change anything at all. I recently got new injectors (200/30%) and a hydra tune for them and it was quick the first few days i was running with that setup, my boost has been dropping and currently at WOT I can't even get to 10lbs of boost and it is noticeable driving, its slower than it was stock. There was no play in the shaft of my turbo and the turbo in there is only 2 years old. Could the turbo be bad already? Or is there anything else I can check before buying a new one. I have an upgraded hpop and the 6637 intake.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 17
From: Jacksonville, FL
Have you replaced the up-pipes or at least the gaskets on them? If you have an exhaust leak it will limit the amount of force available to spin the turbo in the first place.
If you haven't, you may want to look into the bellowed up-pipes.
Just because you have replaced your CAC boots doesn't mean there still isn't a leak there. The intake plenum is another place where boost leaks can appear also.
If you haven't, you may want to look into the bellowed up-pipes.
Just because you have replaced your CAC boots doesn't mean there still isn't a leak there. The intake plenum is another place where boost leaks can appear also.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
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Is there any easy way to check the up pipes, or do I need to remove the whole turbo? And I've started it and felt around all the boots within the intercooler system and there's no air leaking out, I made sure I tightened everything down good and the boots are fully sealed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 17
From: Jacksonville, FL
Look for soot on your firewall right behind them. It doesn't always show there, but if you do have soot, you definitely have a leak.
As for checking for leaks in your CAC tubing it's best to fab up a leak detector (plenty of posts on this, search and you will find I am sure) which pretty much consists of a PVC cap, a gauge and an air fitting. Once you apply pressure then you will squirt soapy water around your boots and plenum and see if you have any bubbles...
As for checking for leaks in your CAC tubing it's best to fab up a leak detector (plenty of posts on this, search and you will find I am sure) which pretty much consists of a PVC cap, a gauge and an air fitting. Once you apply pressure then you will squirt soapy water around your boots and plenum and see if you have any bubbles...
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: SGV SoCal
Did you do a boost leak test, or just replace parts?
Have you done a boost leak test after replacing the boots?
The problem is usually a leak not a turbo failure. It could be a hole in the inner cooler.
A leak test is easier to do than what you have in mind.
Does the turbo sound OK? If its not spinning, it should sound different. If it sounds OK look for a leak on the intake side.
If the pitch is too low look for a leak in the exhaust side.
Have you done a boost leak test after replacing the boots?
The problem is usually a leak not a turbo failure. It could be a hole in the inner cooler.
A leak test is easier to do than what you have in mind.
Does the turbo sound OK? If its not spinning, it should sound different. If it sounds OK look for a leak on the intake side.
If the pitch is too low look for a leak in the exhaust side.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
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I was hearing what sounded almost as if the turbo was fluttering , but after looking up videos with poeple who had uppipe problems, I'm leaning towards thinking it's that because the sound is similar. Also there is spot on my firewall, a few months when I got the injectors put in (I hate working on a vehicle when it's below freezing outside) , my mechanic said that one of my bolts on my turbo housing had came out so it was leaking, now sure how much of the soot I just went out and felt is from then, and if any of it is related to uppipes
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Do you have an EGT gauge? Is your truck blowing black smoke out the exhaust? Are you sure your problem isn't fuel related?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2015
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I haven't hooked up my temp sensor for my egt gauge yet.yes it is rolling coal and a ridiculous amount at that, my fuel pressure at WOT is above 20, I'm certain it's not fuel related. I started it yesterday and got my hand back near the uppipe and I could feel air coming out, so I had someone rev it while my hand was back there and it came out with more force. I ordered new uppipes with steel gaskets so hopefully that will fix the problem
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 17
From: Jacksonville, FL
You should have at least 45+ psi of fuel pressure at WOT. Anything less than that you are going to have issues. Mine (mainly stock) barely gets below 60psi and usually stays around 65.
What up pipes did you order? If you haven't, and still have time to cancel your order I would (as would most here) recommend getting the bellowed up-pipes (either Dorman or, if your wallet can handle it, IH ones). That way you eliminate the gaskets that will fail again over time....
What up pipes did you order? If you haven't, and still have time to cancel your order I would (as would most here) recommend getting the bellowed up-pipes (either Dorman or, if your wallet can handle it, IH ones). That way you eliminate the gaskets that will fail again over time....
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2015
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I did order bellowed uppipes , they should be getting here tomorrow. I always wondered why my fuel pressure would drop so much, it used to only be when I had less than a quarter tank that it would drop that far but now it does it all the time. I'm assuming it has somthing to do with my injectors and my tune but I'm not to worried about it, I'll do more upgrades when I have the money but at this point I'm just trying to make it a more reliable daily. I maybe possibly have some sort of fuel problem but I know at this moment in time, what I'm feeling as an issue does have to do with my turbo, once I get the boost leak fixed I'll try to see what else is going on, but I just wanna be able to accelerate without blacking out anything behind me
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: SGV SoCal
Black smoke should indicate too much fuel and not enough air (O2). As for fuel pressure, I just added a gauge set a few weeks ago. The fuel pressure is about 58PSIG. Once you turn on the key, it gets there within 2 sec. It looks like your truck is adding too much fuel for the available air. You could take a look at the MAP sensor reading over the OBDII system. I would expect the programming to compensate for the turbo performance and not just poor on the coal based on throttle position. I could be wrong. You fuel system is defective based on you pressure reading, but I do not think fixing it will clear up the smoke. You could have too much restriction in your fuel system. Drain the bowl and take a look at the filter. if that seems OK, I would use a container and do a flow test. Fill the bowl, turn on the key and see how much fuel you get before it times out. Then I would blow out the line to the fuel tank and repeat the test a few times. If there is a big differences in the test result, I would drop and clean (mod) the tank. Servicing the tank will take hours. The flow test maybe about half an hour.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
20 PSI is way too low. You may have a blockage in the tank, especially when you say things like "it used to only be when I had less than a quarter tank". That is a sure sign that the pick-up foot is broken and or clogged. You need to drop the tank and do the Hutch and Harpoon mods.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 868
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Low fuel pressure will destroy your new injectors! You risk either breaking a nozzle, and/or galling the plunger and barrels. Run in a lower tune, or keep your foot out of it until you can afford a better fuel system.
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