Turbo Surge/Flutter. Same Thing??
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Turbo Surge/Flutter. Same Thing??
Thanks to everyone for great advice on the forums. So far I've done the 6637 mod, Cat back, Superchip 1705, and Auto Meter guages.
My truck (2002 PSD) runs like a champ. I towed for the first time this weekend (3000 lb boat), set the cruise at 81 and she held steady regardless of incline.
I did hear some 'strange' sounds coming from the turbo. At ~15 lbs of boost a fluttering/chattering sound, I could make the sound disappear by slighty backing out of the throttle. Is this turbo surge or flutter? Is it the same thing? Is it hurting the truck? I've heard the wicked wheel can solve the problem, but I only pull maybe once/month, and dont want to go to the expense/effort of installing one if I dont need to.
The second sound was a huge whooshing sound when shifting from 3rd to OD. The sound was loud enough to wake people in the truck.
I just want to make sure I'm not damaging the engine. How does turbo surge/flutter damage turbos?
Thanks for the help.
My truck (2002 PSD) runs like a champ. I towed for the first time this weekend (3000 lb boat), set the cruise at 81 and she held steady regardless of incline.
I did hear some 'strange' sounds coming from the turbo. At ~15 lbs of boost a fluttering/chattering sound, I could make the sound disappear by slighty backing out of the throttle. Is this turbo surge or flutter? Is it the same thing? Is it hurting the truck? I've heard the wicked wheel can solve the problem, but I only pull maybe once/month, and dont want to go to the expense/effort of installing one if I dont need to.
The second sound was a huge whooshing sound when shifting from 3rd to OD. The sound was loud enough to wake people in the truck.
I just want to make sure I'm not damaging the engine. How does turbo surge/flutter damage turbos?
Thanks for the help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Elverson, PA
The wooshing noise you heard when shifting into OD is normal (you can get the same noise by letting off the go pedal real quick too) and won't hurt anything...
the other noise you descibe is turbo surge (flutter, stutter - I have heard all KINDS of different names for it) and it can damage your turbo. I had it on my truck - but the Wicked Wheel took care of it completely - I'd suggest it!! It's only $50 and isn't that hard to put on - and it's a lot cheaper than a whole new turbo!! I can't say that I have heard how long it would take, or how bad it is to be running around with compressor surge - but I ordered my WW the first time I heard mine do it... Just my $.02
the other noise you descibe is turbo surge (flutter, stutter - I have heard all KINDS of different names for it) and it can damage your turbo. I had it on my truck - but the Wicked Wheel took care of it completely - I'd suggest it!! It's only $50 and isn't that hard to put on - and it's a lot cheaper than a whole new turbo!! I can't say that I have heard how long it would take, or how bad it is to be running around with compressor surge - but I ordered my WW the first time I heard mine do it... Just my $.02
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Elverson, PA
Bbarrus - I read a technical explanation somewhere - but I can't remember where... but it is basically something about the 2 different sides of the turbo are not equal - I think like the intake side starts cavitating because it is trying to flow too much air. It is a fairly normal thing for Powerstrokes - exhaust, intake, and chip and a lot of people get the surge. The main cause is that Ford changed the intake wheel in the 99.5 and on Powerstrokes (the STOCK wheel used to basically BE a W.Wheel) to quiet down the turbo noise - at the cost of compressor efficiency....
Jerm3 - You are talking about something completely different - yet another problem with all the names for compressor surge..
Jerm3 - You are talking about something completely different - yet another problem with all the names for compressor surge..
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
Is the Banks wheel the same as the Wicked Wheel?, in the market for one myself-
The flutter-surge with my Predator is pretty nasty, and I have heard it will damage the turbo fairly quickly so I cant use the upper HP settings until I change it out-
The flutter-surge with my Predator is pretty nasty, and I have heard it will damage the turbo fairly quickly so I cant use the upper HP settings until I change it out-
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 96ford4x4turbodiesel
whats the 6637 mod...never heard of that one...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,111
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by 96ford4x4turbodiesel
whats the 6637 mod...never heard of that one...
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by jerm3
i thought turbo surge and flutter were to different things
They are. Flutter is caused by the nature of the beast (the 7.3). It's effect is dependent on the type of exhaust you have attached. Straight pipes give you the most flutter.......a fully baffled muffler gives you the least......in most cases.
I havn't had the surge problem.......so, someone else will have to give that explaination.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
The flutter you are hearing is compressed air "stacking up" in the intake. It has no where to go but back out through the compressor side of the turbocharger and air filter. It can damage the turbo main shaft because it is under two different loads. You will hear "axial play" used alot when diagnosing turbo's. The ricer crowd fixes this problem by using blow off valves. Putting a BOV on a PS would be downright wrong. For as seldom as the flutter occurs, I would not worry. Try backing off the go pedal a little easier.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,111
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by BuickTurbo
Try backing off the go pedal a little easier.
I second the Wicked Wheel recommendation. My truck did exactly the same thing with the stuttering turbo and the WW completly cleared it up.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
I completely agree. It did not sound like our friend was towing anything. For those of you who will be towing a cruise ship, small island, or 747 loaded, I would definately recomend the new wheel.