Detroit 60 series 14L sputtering in high gears and throws out puff of black smoke

A couple weeks ago the VPOD went bad, losing a lot of power. Had to stop in Little Rock at the Freightshaker dealership and had it replaced. The new VPOD didn't quite get me to Dallas before it sprang a leak, low air pressure warning alarm going off. Stopped at the Freightshaker dealership and they replaced the VPOD under warranty, but I didn't get out of the gate without another check engine light. Now they said I needed a new turbocharger.

I consulted with the truck owner, he had put in a new turbocharger a little over a year ago. Screw it, I delivered the load in Laredo and deadheaded back to Dallas. We put the truck into a specialty shop: Truck ECM. They removed the entire EGR system, installed a new turbocharger, and reprogrammed the ECM.

LOT'S of power now. Problem SOLVED.

 

I'm no mechanic for sure but my eagle did that and it was blown seal in turbo caused by extremely clogged up air filter . turbo has to suck air from somewhere and when seal blows the big hose from after cooler fills with oil from the bad seal . take of hose and stuff a tag on towards cooler and see if comes back piled. 2500 just because no one eve changed filter

 

I'll say this, the added power is pretty amazing. I'm actually looking for uphill grades to make passes. Before uphill grades were the Bain of my existence. I'm waiting for another fuel stop or two to get a sense of fuel mileage comparison.

 

Wow just noticed auto correct fixed a few words in my last post . Auto correct needs a dictionary

 

What make and model turbo did they replace that with?
I need one now for my 14 liter......

 

bw 171702

 

Sorry for the delay replying.

I asked the owner what turbo he specified and he said, "A regular turbo"...

... that was a big help. Here's a picture of the new turbo, looks like a "Warner" brand.

Fuel mileage has suffered, but that's largely a function of idling in this heat. Otherwise I think the fuel mileage would hover about the same.

The first difference I see is that there is no lag for the turbo to "lurch" into action like the old EGR setup with the turbo actuator, so there's smoother acceleration. The second BIG difference is just the overall added power. Normally in Texas I set the cruise control at 70-72 mph on highways and freeways.

It used to be that if I was overtaking a slower truck and a hill was approaching I might as well fall in behind because I KNEW if I tried to pass it would block traffic and I would end up having to fall behind anyway, even while deadheading. Now I LOOK for hills as an opportunity to pass with any load up to 30K lbs or so. If I'm loaded heavy I can hang with most anyone out there now on a pull.

 

I have a 2006 Western Star with 515 DDEC V. Inframe a year ago, along with new turbo. Injectors replaced two weeks ago. A few days ago my VNT actuator failed, so I pried up the rod and put a hose clamp under the bottom lock nut so I could limp into Freightliner in Tallahassee. Told them I wanted a new actuator. The bill says they installed the new actuator and calibrated it. $282 for the part, they billed 7 hours labor but I was gone in 3. Go figure.

As I left, got all kinds of black smoke, bucking, surging, sound like a backfire. Called them and they said I needed a new turbo, vpod, and delta P sensor. There were no codes in the system at all, and no play in the VNT shaft.

After reading the calibration procedure, I figured out that they did not calibrate the actuator at all. Over the next couple of days, I shortened the rod a little at a time. I'm now 2.5 turns shorter than it was when I left the shop. With each adjustment, the problem got a little better. I figure another 1/2 turn and it'll be good.

I think the issue is with the rod too long, it's overspeeding the turbo, so the ECM commands the VNT to be basically slammed shut until turbo speed comes back down. Can anyone confirm my theory?

 

Firecatf7333.. Did you fix your problem. I'm having exact same issue you are. please let me know. nit2win@att.net

 

Does anyone know if firecatf7333 got his problem fix with losing power in 9th gear uphill??Thanks