Getting Your 2016 Ram 2500 Turbo Replacement Done Perfect
When you've started seeing an absence of pep in your step or even a weird screeching sound under the particular hood, a 2016 ram 2500 turbo replacement might be in your near future. It's one of those milestones that a lot of 6. 7L Cummins owners eventually face, usually somewhere in between the 150, 500 and 200, 000-mile mark. While these trucks are overall workhorses, the Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) used in this era is the complex piece associated with machinery that ultimately gets tired.
Dealing with a failing turbo isn't just about the loss of strength; it can really become a safety problem in case your exhaust brake decides to give up while you're hauling a heavy trailer down a grade. Let's talk about why these turbos fail, what your own options are, plus how to get your truck back to its former glory without dropping your mind in the process.
How to Tell if Your Turbo Is definitely Throwing in the particular Towel
Many of the period, your Ram won't just die on the side of the road with out warning. It'll generally drop some suggestions that something is definitely wrong. The most common symptom will be the dreaded "Limp Setting. " You'll end up being driving along, plus suddenly the pickup truck feels like it's lost 70% of its power, plus the check motor light pops upon.
In case you hook up a code reader and see a P00AF or a P04db , you're likely looking at an issue with all the turbocharger boost control module or even the internal vanes. Another dead giveaway is the exhaust brake. If you flip that change and nothing happens when you let off the gasoline, the sliding nozzle inside the turbo is probably stuck.
You could also hear a few physical signs. The healthy turbo offers a nice, rhythmic whistle. A passing away one might noise like a "dentist drill" or even a high-pitched shout. If you're seeing excessive black smoke out of the tailpipe or even noticing a substantial drop in energy economy, your air-to-fuel ratio is likely messed up because the turbo isn't providing the right amount of boost from the right period.
Why the particular 2016 Ram 2500 Turbo Fails
The Holset HE351VE turbo present in the particular 2016 Ram 2500 is a little bit of the double-edged blade. Similarly, the VGT technology allows intended for incredible low-end rpm and a pre-installed exhaust brake that will saves your patches and rotors. On the other hand, the design depends on a moving nozzle ring that will moves back plus forth to alter the aspect ratio of the exhaust casing.
The problem? Soot. Since these types of trucks use Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), lots of carbon plus soot passes via that turbo. Over time, that soot builds up for the sliding mechanism. Ultimately, it gets therefore gummed up that the electronic actuator can't move it any more. When the actuator struggles to shift the ring, the particular internal gears may strip, or the particular motor can burn out. That's usually the point where you realize you're in for a replacement.
The Big Choice: Actuator Only or the Whole Turbo?
Before you go out plus buy a whole new assembly, you need to find out if it's only the actuator or the turbo itself. The particular actuator is the particular black box bolted to the aspect of the turbo that controls the vanes. It's a common failure point and much cheaper to change than the whole unit.
Nevertheless, there's a catch. In case you replace the actuator but the particular internal vanes are usually still stuck along with soot, you're simply going to burn out the new actuator in a several months. An excellent rule of thumb is definitely to pull the particular actuator off plus try to move the control left arm manually. If this moves smoothly plus freely, you might get away with simply a fresh actuator. If it's stuck or senses "crunchy, " you're better off doing a full 2016 ram 2500 turbo replacement .
Choosing Your Replacement Choices
When you decide it's period for a brand-new unit, you've got a few different paths you may take. Your choice depends on how a person use the pickup truck and what your budget appears to be.
The Stock Replacement (Holset VGT)
If you like the way your pickup truck drives now and you rely seriously on the manufacturer exhaust brake, staying with a stock Holset will be the easiest way to go. A person won't need a custom tune, plus it's a direct bolt-in. It'll act exactly like the truck did the morning it rolled off the lot.
The particular Upgraded VGT
Companies like Fleece jacket Performance or Stealth offer modified VGT turbos. These often use better bearings and larger air compressor wheels. You get a bit more power and lower EGTs (Exhaust Gas Temperatures) while still keeping that integrated exhaust brake pedal. This can be a great middle-ground for guys which tow heavy yet want a little more "oomph. "
The Fixed-Geometry Swap (S300/S400)
Some owners get exhausted of the VGT headaches and choose to swap to the "fixed" turbo, like a BorgWarner S363 or S366. These are much simpler and tend to be more reliable in the long run. But , there's a huge downside: a person lose the manufacturer exhaust brake. You'll also need custom tuning to tell the truck's personal computer never to freak out there because the VGT is missing.
What Goes Into the Labor?
I won't sugarcoat it—replacing the turbo on the 6. 7 Cummins is a bit of the workout. It's tucked back against the firewall on the traveler side, and every thing is heavy. You're going to end up being leaning over the particular fender for the few hours, so a topside creeper is your best friend here.
You have in order to drain some coolant because turbos are usually water-cooled. You'll furthermore be coping with essential oil feed and strain lines. The most difficult part is normally getting the nuts off the exhaust manifold studs. They've been heat-cycled thousands of instances and they are often rusted solid. Plenty associated with penetrating oil plus a good set of 12-point sockets are usually non-negotiable.
In case you're doing this in your driveway, provide your full day time. If you're having it to a shop, anticipate to pay for about five to 8 hrs of labor. It's a straightforward job for a diesel powered tech, but it's tight quarters within there.
Price Expectations
Let's talk numbers, since that's usually what hurts the most. A brand-new OEM Holset turbo can run you anyplace from $2, 500 to $3, 500 depending on where you buy it. Refurbished units are cheaper, usually around $1, 500 to $2, 000, but a person make sure you're buying from the reputable builder. Don't buy a "no-name" turbo off a random auction site—you'll be doing the particular job again within three months.
If you're having to pay a shop to do the 2016 ram 2500 turbo replacement , you're probably looking at a total bill between $3, 500 and $5, 000 when a person element in labor, mechanical seals, coolant, and oil. It's a nasty pill to swallow, but considering the price of a new truck these days, it's a solid investment to help keep the 2016 on the highway.
How to Make the New Turbo Final
Once you've spent the cash and done the particular work, you certainly don't want to do it once again. The best thing you can perform for any VGT turbo is to use it . These types of turbos hate light loads and constant idling. The soot builds up when the particular engine isn't operating hard.
Drive the truck. Let it get up in order to operating temperature. In case you have a good exhaust brake, leave it on constantly. Using the exhaust system brake forces the particular sliding nozzle in order to move through its full range associated with motion, which assists "sweep" the soot off the surfaces. This might sound counterintuitive, but the more you use the VGT mechanism, the more time it tends to stay functional.
Also, remain on top of the oil changes. The particular turbo spins from incredibly high rates of speed and relies upon clean oil to keep the bearings alive. Utilizing a top quality synthetic oil and a good filtration system is cheap insurance coverage for any multi-thousand-dollar turbocharger.
Final Ideas
A 2016 ram 2500 turbo replacement will be a significant work, but it's furthermore an opportunity to refresh the very center associated with your truck. Regardless of whether you go back to stock or decide to update to something with a bit more whistle, getting that boost back will create the truck feel brand new once again. Remember to get your time with all the manifold bolts, don't skimp on the particular gaskets, and maybe treat your pickup truck to a large trailer pull every now and then to keep that will new VGT clear. Your Cummins will thank you for this with another 200, 000 miles of service.