2001 7.3 with bad turbo

[kamustang]

I bought a 2001 Crew Cab/short bed 4x4 powerstroke the other day. After towing my boat to the lake I felt like it was down on power-either a bad injector or turbo. I looked around the motor but didn't see anything suspicious. Took it to a friend of mine who is a diesel mechanic. He said the up-pipes were bad which is common and also said the turbo needed replacing. He said typically you can barely get a feeler gauge between the vanes and the housing. With mine, he said you could fit a matchbook in between them. The truck previously had an aftermarket filter which he suspects let dirt in and it chewed up the turbo. My question is this. I can replace the turbo but what kind of damage should I suspect might have been done internally? Pistons? valves? etc. Has anyone had this happen and did your engine run OK afterwords?

[Flywheel]

Just replace the up-pipe donuts and get a new wheel and you should be good to go. No need to replace the whole turbo.

Go though the truck with a fine tooth comb and ensure the boots aren't leaking, oil and filters have been changed, and clean out the debris between the radiator and intercooler.

How many miles on the truck and what air filter do you have now? The stock filter assemblies were horrible.

A compression test would let you know if there were any problems with dusting - you might also get a good feel by running contribution tests and checking the blow-by coming out the oil fill. If it is pushing the dipstick out of the tube - that is bad.

I would do the two simple things - up-pipe leaks will rob serious power.

[rammertide07]

If your up pipes are leaking, I would (well I just had done this week) get bellowed up pipes and never worry about leaky up pipes again.

If your turbo wheel is chewed up, you can buy a stock wheel for about $30 or you can get a wicked wheel $70-$100. If there is shaft play, replace or rebuild the turbo.

Bad intake will dust the engine and turbo. Oil testing and the above mentioned tests can help you determine any internal issues.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.com App

[woodnthings8]

I doubt your turbo needs replaced. For $100 you can rebuild it. As mentioned above, you can get a new wheel for under a $100 too. Up-pipes are common, bellowed is the way to go if you plan on keeping the truck.