How would I know if our turbine is working?
Edited for a descriptive title
Do you mean Turbo Charger? If so Im not sure you have one on an 8.2
Sorry, yup, did mean turdo charger. I was quite tired. Doctors and shopping for eight hours.
My engine description in the owner's manual says we have a Detroit Diesel 8.2 liter turbo-charged V8 engine.
This round thing on the top rear of the engine that has the exhaust coming up into it and then out a flex pipe down to the muffler. On the other side of this round, silvery thingee is the air intake going into the engine.
Without actually removing the rear exhaust connection how would I know it it is even all there and is capable of rotating?
There are no gauges on this old all-mechanical engine.
If you get heavy black smoke all the time, Would check turbo. BUT if it clears up quickly, the turbo is working.
Thanks Dave. The exhaust is very light even at startup. Probably not today tho, seeing as how it is a -17 degrees out this morning.
Don't think I will go outside today.
Yup, Dave is correct.
Bad turbo or leak between turbo, CAC (Charge Air Cooler) and engine intake on those coaches with a CAC will result in lots of black smoke and significant loss of power.
OH, OH, Brett. Now you have got me confused. What would my CAC look like and where might I find it if I have one?
Most, but not all turbocharged engines have a CAC= inter-cooler= after-cooler. Different terms for the same thing.
The intake air coming out of the turbo can be up to 300 degrees F. The CAC is an air to air radiator that reduces intake air temperature to close to ambient temperature. Cooler air= more HP, cooler engine and better MPG.
It will be in front of the radiator (except Detroit Diesel 2 strokes where it is "built into" the motor) and look similar to the radiator .
Easy to tell. Trace the large intake plumbing from the turbo. If you have a CAC, the plumbing will run turbo to CAC and then CAC to intake manifold.
No CAC, it will run from turbo to intake manifold.
Just went out & checked. NO CAC.
Standing at the foot of the bed I see piping coming up from both exhaust manifolds to the cast iron part of the turbo housing. Further towards the center of the engine a manifold curves around to the passenger side of the air intake housing from the rear of the turbo. No hoses from either part of the turbo housing and nothing after the engine but radiator and fans. No CAC, no "sandwich construction" and no transmission cooler lines into the radiator. I do have a separate tranny radiator mounted to the frame on the driver's side.
If the turbo is working, when you press down on the throttle from a stop, you will get some power and a second or two latter way more power will come on as the turbo spools up.
Never noticed that, but what is "way more horsepower" with a 230hp engine? I think that is all we will ever get with the 8.2 DD four stroke.
Don't know if your coach has the potential for installing Silverleaf VMSpc system — so apologies up front for my lack of knowledge about the 8.2 DD. But if so, we watch the turbo performance on the screen of the laptop running VMSpc, as we drive.
Richard, don't think there is much chance of adding anything to our engine except oil, antifreeze, and fuel. Maybe a straight pipe or resonator.
<smile> Well said. We were surprised and thankful to find a nine-pin connector under the dash of our coach. Wouldn't have had any idea what it was, or what to do with it, except for another Forum member saying, "Hey, hook up VMSpc."
But you can see why we depend on James Holder for so much, so apologies for a useless suggestion re: the 8.2 DD. :-)
I do find it interesting when folks suggest things like they have on their coaches and do not realize some of us have coaches just one step above an oxen powered covered wagon when it comes to technology. I do prefer the simplicity tho, as it seems to be a whole lot cheaper to maintain---until it blows up unexpectedly, without warning!!
Norm,
Another way to verify that the turbo is working is to listen for the "turbo whine" as the turbo spools up.
Easier to hear if driving along a wall on the exhaust side of the coach-- listen out the window on that side. OR sit on the floor in the bedroom with someone else driving. You should hear it spool up.
BTW, not a thing wrong with KISS coaches. Keep It Simple Stupid can be a lot easier to keep going.
Brett, how about lifting up the bed and then revving the engine by reaching in and moving the throttle? Should be able to hear it then.
Maybe when spring comes and I can take the coach for a warmup drive first.
I would not start the engine unless you can drive 25+ highway miles-- it would just add moisture to the crankcase.
Yes to that. I've blown two turbos in the 'Stream and the smoke (lite blue) did not get noticeable until I got on the road with a load-on (stone sober), so I'm suprised at the "Dark Smoke" post. Perchance the newer engines have a different turbo set-up than our trusty Isuzu. Other than mass oil consumption, pulling a grade in freezing weather and watching the view from the mirrors disappear in thick white smoke will be an indicator, to say the least! :'(