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I have a 1996 f250 PS 4x4 ext cab that I brought about a year ago. Today I noticed that I couldn't here the turbo. Outside of not hearting it is there another way to check to see if it's working? If it's not working can it be repaired or do I need to replace it? From what I'm hearing it can be pricey. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Was it running rough? Any other symptoms besides not hearing it? How many miles? You can rebuild turbos for not too expensive. But lets figure out if you just weren't hearing it, or it really is crapping out first. No sense in fixing what aint broke. Do you have a boost gauge?
Remove intake tubing, start truck. If the turbo is spinning its working. The real question is, how well? If the turbo is damaged or if you have a leak some place is when you start having problems. Make yourself a boost leak detector and see if everything is sealed up good. Replace your air filter if its been a while and you should be set.
I would take off the intake tube and check the play in the shaft. Its gonna move a hair but you dont want excessive play. Also check for dusted fins. If both of those look good. I would say your turbo is fine.
Hey Superduty I will definitely try that but what is a boost detector?
Basically a PVC pipe cap with a tire valve stem in it that you clamp to your intake tubing and pressurize to 20psi or so to make sure all the boots and clamps between the turbo and the motor aren't leaking.
When inspecting the turbo for play (1) make sure things are cool enough to touch and (2) a little side to side play is normal, ANY in and out play is bad. The edges of the wheel should be straight and sharp- no jagged or rounded edges.
Could you hear the turbo before and you can't hear it now? Or can you just not hear it?
If you have the stock intake and/or stock exhaust you probably won't hear it.
You just bought the 6637 intake and a downpipe right CCLC? After those mods, the 6637 especially you should be able to hear the turbo. Gutting the cat (or removing it) as well as a more open muffler will help too.
If it's running well it's probably not bad. If it is accelerating really slow it could be going bad.