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Turbo Surge?

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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 01:11 AM
  #1  
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alamojimmy
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From: Socal.......Kinda
Turbo Surge?

Hello all. Here is my problem: Normal driving I can here my turbo surging in rapid little bursts. RPM stays constant. Smokes like it is "loading up" on fuel. When I accelerate more, turbo pressure does not build hardly at all. The surge is not detectable necessarily on my readout, it is just slow and very sluggish and of course sounds horrible. Any guidance? I have read other posts on surging and didn't really see anything like my current problem.

'03 250 6.0
Edge Attitude W/Juice Programmer (adjusting power setting makes no REAL impact on current problem)
Airaid Intake
5" straight exhaust
Not sure if the last two would matter but wanted to include all info.

Thanks in advance for any advice/help. This site is the best out there. No doubt.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 01:15 PM
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Well, disconnected my Programmer and still have the problem. Less pronounced but still there. It is super sluggish and has trouble even shifting in to second. PLEASE HELP!
 
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 01:41 PM
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Just sounds like sticky vanes Jimmy. A common problem with the VGT, especially the early ones like yours. Do you have a boost gauge? Your MY did not have one from the factory, so you would have to add it. Anyway, if you have one, is the pressure surging?

If it is sticky vanes, it can be cleaned. Unfortunately, the dealer is going to frown on your CA intake. But an 03 is probably out of warranty anyway.

I don't think I would personally tackle a turbo R & R, but maybe you would. Do a search for "turbo clean" or "clean turbo" and see if there is any info.

Must add, I am not a tech, so the above advice is worth less than you paid.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 02:29 PM
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From: Socal.......Kinda
Originally Posted by bpounds

Must add, I am not a tech, so the above advice is worth less than you paid.
Now that is just funny.


Thanks Pounds! I appreciate it buddy. My programmer does have a guage and it does not appear to be surging in conjunction with the surge in power.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by alamojimmy
Now that is just funny.


Thanks Pounds! I appreciate it buddy. My programmer does have a guage and it does not appear to be surging in conjunction with the surge in power.
have you checked out the "odd turbo noise" folder. I was talking to a guy about it earlier and he gave me the site to look at cleaning the turbo. Don't look that bad
 
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 03:34 PM
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Here's a how-to on turbo reconditioning. Seems like you could give it a go if it's out of warranty. http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articl...icle-06-05.php

If that does not work then maybe it's time for an A/M non-VGT turbo.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2008 | 05:10 PM
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From: Socal.......Kinda
Thanks for all of the help everyone. It appears that for now at least, everything is good to go. I reset my truck computer, and the edge programmer and now everything appears to be good. Gave it a pretty good test this morning with no problems.

I realize now that I should have done one at a time to isolate the root of the problem for future reference for me or others. Apologies. Will keep everyone posted though.

Hope you all had a great weekend and wish you all a happy and succesful week.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2008 | 05:42 PM
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if its surging the variable vains are not moving as the should smoothly they are probably moving a small portion on 5% if that they need to move the full duty cycle to perform properly, here is a crazy idea, find a empty lot put it in 1st gear or low if you got a 6spd and wind it out rpm wise might break loose some of the crap keeping the thing locked up inside of the housing if not the turbo got to come out, clean all movable exhaust components that is a solution but you will probably have stuck variable vanes in the future again, if you are out of warranty go with a aftermarket turbo with no variable vanes in it this will eliminate the problem entirely, or i believe you may send your stock turbo to matt at spartan diesel to clean, rebuild and coat the vgt turbo components with some type of anti seize stuff to help with this known problem. hope this helps.
 
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