2004 columbia mbe4000 power problems

Sorry for the late reply. I was out making money in my new truck that actually had a turbo for this run to PA as opposed to my first run without a turbo . I can't thank you all enough for the prompt, accurate responses. I was able to forcefully pound the piston back into the cylinder using a hammer and a pipe. I hit it with a little penetrating oil and let it be. Sure as hell, pulling out of my lot bobtail I actually heard the beautiful sound of turbo for the first time in this truck and I knew the problem was solved. I ran 80 through PA and was fine without an engine/turbo brake only manually down shifting. Although tempted, I kept my finger off the toggle switch for most of the trip. I ran a different way to harrisburg going down I-99/322. There is a horrible section of road there for my situation. Brake check area, one truck at a time, 7% grade over about 3 miles, 4 ways, and 20 mph truck speed limit. Stuck or not, I had no choice but to flip it on to hold that kind of a hill. Just pulled into the next truck stop and banged it back closed (or open, whatever). Guess I'll just have to keep repeating the process until it moves freely, if ever. Thanks again gentlemen.

 

Stranger, I do like this meritor 12 as you mentioned above. I'm slowly figuring out that by taking off with the pedal held in a different position that it gives a different skip-shift pattern. Slamming the pedal from a red light usually shifts 3,6,9,11,12. I don't like that because it kind if feels like a bad "lug" when it hits 9. It also doesn't seem to recognize a load from a bob tail like meritor claims and runs the same shift pattern. Oh well, it's saving my clutch knee/leg

 

My only gripe now is my fuel mileage. I think I averaged 5.5-6 on this trip. Seems kind of low for a 12.8 liter. 215 gallons on 1330 miles. I don't drive it like it's stolen, and the up and downs of I-80 don't help but u was hoping for around 7-8. Any thoughts?

 

Now that were on the subject, is there a way to get an actual mpg readout from this columbia by either an aftermarket gauge or some kind of laptop/cable/ecu software? My friends 99 century has all the info on the dash screen while mine doesn't even have a tripometer

 

That info has to be on the ecu somewhere. Would be very helpful if I can have that info on my laptop screen while driving

 

Update: After making several attempts at freeing this actuator arm, no luck. I've sprayed it open/closed with PB Blaster. Can't get it free for the life of me. Any other suggestions?