Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: ccbbab on February 11, 2012, 07:32:35 am

Title: turbo charger problem?
Post by: ccbbab on February 11, 2012, 07:32:35 am
my isl engine is loosing power and really bogs down on hills---nac tech says he thinks it is the waste gate not opening--anyone had this problem?  70000 miles on engine and no previous problems--now in nac an need to drive on to knoxville
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 11, 2012, 08:01:40 am
I'd look at the fuel filters first. You could have picked up a bad batch of diesel. Check fuel hoses and around filters for a fuel leak. Is it smoking bad? Look over your air plenum connecting hoses for a split around the turbocharger. This is some simple things to look for and little $ compared to a bad waste gate.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on February 11, 2012, 12:27:43 pm
Another area for this same issue would be the EGR assy. If filters good, all hoses look good with clamps tight etc. I would be thinking the EGR valve.  Not the first time for the EGR to do exactly as you describe, if nothing shows up as why, I would be headed for a Cummins shop & EGR thoughts.
Cheers
Dave M
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: turbojack on February 11, 2012, 06:25:28 pm
I agree with fuel filters. If the waste gate would not open you would have too much boost. I had a friend that had lost power and it turned out that the intercooler (radiator) had cracked and keep the engine for getting boost. I wish fortravels would install boost gauges.
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on February 11, 2012, 07:21:41 pm
turbojack, I would agree the filters are a good guess, however there is no waste gated turbo on the ISL, I understand the turbo is the VG design. (Variable Geometry)
Would need the engine s/n to verify.
Still lean toward the EGR valve as a good suspect.
Cheers
Dave M
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 12, 2012, 10:29:37 pm
Have had many MB Diesels run fine on the flat but really loose power on the hills where they needed more fuel. They get worse as time goes by. Easy to replace filters and check if it is the problem. Remember to fill filters and get air out before trying to start.

Have also had sticking EGR valves where they were stuck in the open position. For vacuum EGR valves, a MittyVac works well for checking. When you release the vacuum, you can usually hear/feel a click as the valve seats. Failure to pull a vacuum indicates bad valve also. One stuck in the open position (recirculating) reduces power both on the hills and off stop lights.

Even if Foretravels had a boost gauge, a partially clogged fuel filter would also show up as lower pressure on the gauge.
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: ccbbab on February 19, 2012, 03:03:11 pm
THANKS FOR REPLIES!!!!! IT TURNED OUT TO BE CLOGGED FUEL FILTERS--------
Title: Re: turbo charger problem?
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 19, 2012, 08:11:58 pm
THANKS FOR REPLIES!!!!! IT TURNED OUT TO BE CLOGGED FUEL FILTERS--------

New filters may have gotten you out of the woods for the moment or for quite a while. Could have clogged from a slow accumulation of particulates or because you picked up a bad load of diesel at your last stop. Have at least one extra set on board.

Clogged filters are usually easy to detect with a nice normal idle, OK drive through town but a loss of power anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or so after you start using HP on the hills.

Glad you found the silver stake for the fuel Dracula.

Pierce