Another Dead Turbo Actuator

Maybe @BigPapa or @mwilson could update us on the current price of the Cummins Reman units? Last I heard the newest revision was quite a bit higher - closer to $1,000.

 

I did the same thing. I called them, got on that list and received the actuator sooner than expected.

 

City Diesel has gone above and beyond in my book. Their product works awesome and their customer support is first rate.

 

I looked on M&D distributors website for a friend about A month ago and they weren't even listing remans. They did have new units listed for $1100 after core return.

 

So would it be worth his time to pay the Dealer to diagnose it as the actuator or the other three possibilities?

Or is it a given it's on the way out?

 

Would plugging it in at the dealer tell if the ring is sticking?

Thanks for the used actuator link.

 

Sag2 would be the one to ask that question Ron. The cheapest bet is to yank the actuator and sweep the arm stop to stop.

 

Plugging what in???
And, both links I posted were for NEW actuators.

 

Plug into their diagnostic system.

OK, not used but resale on ebay. I assume it would not have a warranty.

 

Sag2 do you have knowledge if the dealer can pinpoint exactly what is wrong?

 

Part of the diagnostic procedure is to remove the actuator and test the free movement of the VGT collar, they can't tell anything for sure just by connecting the diagnostic scanner.

 

Thanks I will let him know!!!

Is there a video showing the free movement test?

So if the collar does not slide freely is the turbo shot or???

 

There’s two lines engraved at full swing in each direction. If the arm reaches full swing each way, the turbo is still good. If not, new turbo time.

 

Okay.....??

 

You're not checking the movement of the actuator, you're checking the movement of the VGT collar inside the turbo.
What often happens is the VGT collar gets hard to move because of carbon buildup, the actuator keeps trying to move it which can cause it to fail, so then you would replace both, or get your turbo rebuilt and replace the actuator at the same time.
But, many times the VGT collar still moves freely, and it is just the actuator that fails.

 

He bought it with near 100k and now has around 130k. He always runs the EB but who knows what the previous owner did.

 

So basically a wast of time and $ to take it to the dealer.

Remove actuator, check for free movement on the VGT collar. If it slides freely then actuator is the culprit. Sound about right?

Could the electrical connections need to be cleaned ?

 

VERY informative video!!! Thanks

 

If you or your friend goes after it soak the 4 actuator bolts as soon as possible with some good penetrating oil. Particularly the lower left, there is an open window in the actuator housing which allows that bolt to corrode like you wouldnt believe. And to top it off there isnt a lot of room to get in there with a good bite. They are metric allen heads.