Turbocharger Failure

[Gibson3798]

I seem to be faced with replacing the turbocharger in my 2017 Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel. I just passed 80K miles and was wondering if this has been the experience of others on the forum.

Fortunately, I had received an extended warranty when I bought the truck from a forum member about a year ago.

Any insight and information is appreciated.

[GCinSC2]

Stock air filter and intake or other than stock air system?

[AirstreamJim]

Mine was replaced under warranty at 2,500 miles, on our first big outing with the Airstream. 2016 RAM 2500, Cummins TurboDiesel, fully stock.

As I recall, there was a recall on the turbocharger (fire risk) but the redesigned part wasn’t available from Mopar. Geno’s Garage had a replacement part available that matched the new design, so I bought it from them and had my dealer install it. FCA reimbursed the cost of the part and dealership labor, and then made me replace it again when the part became available from Mopar.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jim

[tjdonahoe]

2016 ram 4x4…6.7..53000 miles my turbo actuator went out near Willits, Calif , the check engine lite came on..I did have a loss of power, and no exhaust brake…I plugged in my engine scanner…and it said turbo actuator…..we don’t go that fast thru the marvelous redwoods any way, we kept going……Eureka has an excellent dealer, they had a turbo actuator ,installed it and even though I was 3000 miles out of warranty, they got me lots of help…

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

I seem to be faced with replacing the turbocharger in my 2017 Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel. I just passed 80K miles and was wondering if this has been the experience of others on the forum.

Fortunately, I had received an extended warranty when I bought the truck from a forum member about a year ago.

Any insight and information is appreciated.

..complete turbo? Do you drive in town a lot?…do you make a lot of short trips?do you idle….?…

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by AirstreamJim

Mine was replaced under warranty at 2,500 miles, on our first big outing with the Airstream. 2016 RAM 2500, Cummins TurboDiesel, fully stock.

As I recall, there was a recall on the turbocharger (fire risk) but the redesigned part wasn’t available from Mopar. Geno’s Garage had a replacement part available that matched the new design, so I bought it from them and had my dealer install it. FCA reimbursed the cost of the part and dealership labor, and then made me replace it again when the part became available from Mopar.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jim

..replaced the turbo? Fire? ..only could find a water pump,at that time frame was being replaced for fire…, as the bearing going out was common..there was no weep hole in the water pump…the replacement has a weep hole…the local Lithia dealer replaced mine a day before we were going to the west coast…

[Gibson3798]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Stock air filter and intake or other than stock air system?

K&N system that has been serviced regularly.

[Gibson3798]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

..complete turbo? Do you drive in town a lot?…do you make a lot of short trips?do you idle….?…

If really asking the question, it's my daily driver and there are short trips but very little idling.

Yes, Turbo and actuator. 8K est..

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

K&N system that has been serviced regularly.

First suggestion take an engine oil sample and have it analyzed.

Second research a dry stock air intake vs an oiled filter for its ability to trap dust and dirt.

And yes I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L with over 220K on it. OE turbo still hits over 30PSI on the go pedals command. Stock air system and filter.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

If really asking the question, it's my daily driver and there are short trips but very little idling.

Yes, Turbo and actuator. 8K est..

I would have throught that with 80k miles in less than five years it was pretty obvious that most of the driving was NOT short trips!!

[Gibson3798]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

I would have throught that with 80k miles in less than five years it was pretty obvious that most of the driving was NOT short trips!!

"Most" of the driving, as you correctly noted, have not been short trips. There were "lots" more short trips than 2500 mi. trips, thus my answer to the question.

[SpinWhite]

Do idle for while to allow the turbo to cool and to flush the hot oil out of the turbo? Do you use synthetic oil?

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

"Most" of the driving, as you correctly noted, have not been short trips. There were "lots" more short trips than 2500 mi. trips, thus my answer to the question.

Yes; I was being a bit silly. I hope you get this resolved!

[Gibson3798]

Originally Posted by SpinWhite

Do idle for while to allow the turbo to cool and to flush the hot oil out of the turbo? Do you use synthetic oil?

I do let it idle as you suggest.

I use synthetic oil and change about every 6k.

Seems the repair will be a warranty issue.

[AirstreamJim]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

..replaced the turbo? Fire? ..only could find a water pump,at that time frame was being replaced for fire…, as the bearing going out was common..there was no weep hole in the water pump…the replacement has a weep hole…the local Lithia dealer replaced mine a day before we were going to the west coast…

Argh…you’re right. My turbo DID fail, but 5 years later, my mind confused the water pump recall with the turbo failure…which occurred around the same time.

Regardless, the turbo failed, and we were 600 miles into a 3,000 mile, 3-week trip. No dealers along the way would even look at it, so we just ignored the check engine light and drove it until we got home and brought it to the selling dealership.

Jim

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

First suggestion take an engine oil sample and have it analyzed.

Second research a dry stock air intake vs an oiled filter for its ability to trap dust and dirt.

And yes I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L with over 220K on it. OE turbo still hits over 30PSI on the go pedals command. Stock air system and filter.

Different turbo…6,7 turbo vanes move …using a turbo acturator…my e model cat has 1.4 million miles on an original turbo

[crispyboy]

From 2013 and newer Ram started using DEF with their emission system. Turbos do not go bad very much in these models because so much less EGR are used as compared to previous 2007.5 through 2012 models.
It is important to use the exhaust brake as much as possible with variable vain turbo to keep it moving. Too much soot can burn out the actuator. In more recent years the actuator can now be replaced on the existing turbo which cuts down the cost considerably when outside of warranty. A place called City Diesel makes a better than OEM actuator.
On newer trucks turbos can last several hundred thousand miles.
I have an older 2009 Dodge Ram now with 106k miles. This truck used the older non def emission strategy with incredible amounts of EGR gasses. I played nice guy with the emissions until it took out a turbo at 40k and again at 80k. I was done with it after that and tuned the truck. It runs incredible now on stock power and no smoke.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Different turbo…6,7 turbo vanes move …using a turbo acturator…my e model cat has 1.4 million miles on an original turbo

All turbos and engines want clean air.

My 2000 VW Beetle 1.9L TDI has 444K on original turbo and it has vacuum actuated vanes too.

[Rick n Mary]

If you still have the warranty…. Do NOT pass go. Go to the dealer MAKE THEM replace it.
If not, “broken parts are an EXCELLENT time to upgrade”.
My truck 2005 5.9 Cummins, I have an S&B cold air intake, helps a little bit with intake temps, still confused and reading many forums for upgrading the turbo.
I believe you may have a 6.7 ????
As I am still looking I can not make any recommendations yet. But “cumminsforum, turbo diesel.com are an excellent start for research in a turbo. Good luck. Rick