Folks, here is my issue...
First, '02 F350 SRW, 2wd, Crew Cab, 8ft box. Stock air cleaner, no engine mods.

While pulling my 5th wheel up N. Alabama hills (Guntersville Lake St. Park) we noticed the turbo really screaming. What I found odd, was that, on one 5 minute uphill pull, in L2 at fixed RPMs (about 2700), and going pretty slow. The noise did not begin until after about 3 minutes. Could this be related to increased exhaust gas temperature, or increased inlet air temperature? Could the higher temps change the gas density and cause the turbine speed to change?

The noise had to be above 85 db, it was deafening, but it would break as soon as we crested the of the hill. I don't have EGT or boost measurements (not yet at least) but wish I did.

The same thing would happen on the interstate at 65 or 70 mph. I try to let the speed fall off as I climb, to minimimize the amount of time the truck spends in the lower gear, but after soon downshifting, the howl would return and really get loud.

If this is not normal, what should I be looking for to diagnose this problem?

Are there any EGT sensors that can go on without welding? How difficult would it be to DIY install the boost gauge?

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

 

Are you sure it is the turbo? Could it be the belt slipping when the fan kick's in! Bad pulley or bad pulley tensioner if thats what its called! Stock air box should not be that loud! Only alittle whisle!

 

Could be a bad turbo and the exhaust turbine is coming in contact with the housing someone else just had this issue

Maybe try letting the engine cool and pull off the rubber hose that goes from the turbo toward the filter. Then reach inside and feel for play in the shaft you will have a little side to side its normal but should have no in and out. Try putting a little pressure on it and spin it see if you can feel it touching anything

 

Here is someone else with a similar problem

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-at-10lbs.html

 

A screeching turbo in my truck turned out to be a broken shaft within the turbo. A new turbo was required.

If you suspect it is the turbo, get it into the shop. You DO NOT want a turbo to come apart in service.

 

The DIY guages are easy. No welding required. A drill and tap is all you need for the EGT gauge. Boost is even easier. As long as your putting gauges in, grab one for your tranny temps too. It just bolts in.

How dirty / clean is your air filter? Was it a high pitched whine or a loud howling (deeper tone)?

 

it's probably the fan, lol

 

Very possible. They sure do roar.

 

This is a very deep roar, not unlike an alligator bellowing. The only squeal I get is when it downshifts on a downhill coast with no gas. I can't hear that frequency that well to begin with.

In fact, now that you mention it, others who have ridden with me in the past have mentioned a whine like a dentist office drill. I bet they are hearing some turbo related noise. I think they here it on a deceleration, but I am not sure. I have hearing damage from working near a gas turbine in my young and stupid days.

From what I've read, a chip on the exhaust wheel could be causing this whine. The roar is eating at me more. I want those instruments ASAP.

 

If the sound isn't constant, then it probably isn't a chipped wheel. I would check your inter cooler boots to see that they are clamped tight. Sounds like you might be getting boost leak.

 

Sounds like you're hearing the fan howl. Completely normal. It locks up when needed (like towing up a hill) to keep the engine coolant in check.

The factory tranny temp gauge is useless. I wouldn't trust it.

 

Is there a replacement sender that would allow the factory tranny gauge to remain functional, or is it best just to go with a new sender and gauge? I would like to find a digital display for boost, egt and trans, of course without draining my pockets. Googling as we speak.

The fan seems more plausible the more I think of it. That would explain why it kicked in during the last quarter of the climb. That dude does ROAR!

 

If you like the digital gauges, terminator engineering has an aeroforce gauge that will work with the sending units as well as read trouble codes, read live data from other engine sensors, and can even do injector buzz tests and cylinder contribution test. With it's scrolling option you can monitor everything with the one gauge, plus have a scanner that can run tests for you.

http://terminatorengineering.com/scangauge/

You'll need to hood the new tranny sending unit up to a real gauge. The ones in the dash won't work.

 

Clay at Riffraff Diesel (www.RiffraffDiesel.com) would be the man to get gauges from. Unfortunately he is on his way to Riffraff East in Tn. Here is his number 541.879.1052 Leave a message or call him around Aug 14th. He will be more than willing to discuss all options you have concerning gauges, and just about anything else you may want for your truck.

 

All right guys, the terminator stuff looks good, and I will give Clay a call too. I just came in from Tennesee, oh well.

The installs don't look to hard, from some of the searches I've been doing.